I recently got myself a 12" Reed & Prentice lathe which I am running
through the paces.

I noticed when I take a cut and backtrack the carriage I am still taking
another cut. I did not expect that to happen, rather after a cut I would
expect the tool to just barely touch the piece upon return of the carriage,
but not so here.

Someone said that was a problem with the compound rest but I don't
understand the phenomena at all, where does that "slop" originate?

And what can I do if anything to remedy the situation??

Uwe