That doesn't matter. Even if you get another lathe, you could still keep the old one (with a decent tool rest, of course) for
small stuff and/or just spindle work. Of course, if you don't have the room for both, disregard my comment.

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:27:22 GMT, william kossack wrote:

The question is how much should I spend for a tool rest for a lathe that
only cost $150 to begin with. The motor on this lathe is so weak that
if I hold on to a piece mounted to the lathe when I turn on the motor I
have no trouble keeping it from turning.

My wife gave me the lathe a couple years ago. It has been an OK
learning lathe but.... I now have a set of chisels (just two of which
cost more than the lathe), a grinder to sharpen the chisels (just the
grinder cost me more than the lathe but wish I had a better one). and
over time I've aquired a collection of blanks that I have either
purchased or been given as well as a few logs of local wood (the wood is
probably several times the value of the lathe) and a nova chuck which
cost more than the lathe.

I think a new lathe is in my future. I just wish they did not cost so much.


Peter Teubel wrote:

A good tool rest shouldn't break under ANY wood turning curcumstances...regardless of the severity of the catch. Just get a GOOD
tool rest and you'll be back in business. Personally, I replaced my THREE broken Jet tool rests (and banjo) with a Oneway banjo &
tool rest. Best investment I ever made in that lathe. It actually makes it pleasurable to turn on it again.

Peter Teubel
Milford, MA
http://www.revolutionary-turners.com