Wood Lathe Tool Rests - Use Them Safely

The tool rest on a wood lathe is a deceptively simple looking piece of work. It looks generally like a T held in a movable base called a banjo for reasons best left to non-banjo players. People who say it looks like a banjo have probably never stood in a jam session at three in the morning with fellow bluegrass enthusiasts. However, I digress. Even such a simple accessory has its safety issues and they are easy to work with.

First of all it is necessary to remember that a tool rest is just that, a place to rest a tool. Almost all of the time on the wood lathe it is the shaft of the tool that rests on the edge. This should remind the turner that hands may assist in the guiding of the tool by moving along the face of the rest as it faces the turner, but never on the top, especially if part of the hand is found under the shaft as the tool is held. It is quite easy and always unexpected to encounter a situation called a catch where the wood grabs the tool tip, raises the shaft in the air and slams it into the tool rest edge. This is usually startling and annoying. But, if the hand or any part of it is caught between the shaft and the narrow edge it can also be extremely painful and can cut. The solution of safety is simple. Keep the hands behind the tool rest.

Wood lathes move wood around very quickly and with a fair amount of force, particularly with some modern lathes having motors up to fine horsepower. In addition, that wood is often off center or quite uneven when first mounted for turning. It is imperative that the wood clear the tool rest or it will strike it at great force and may cause the wood to fly off the lathe. Simply turn the wood by hand before starting up the motor and adjust the rest to clear the work. Also, for good tool control and to reduce the leverage of a catch on the tool, it is good practice to keep the rest close to the work. Whenever moving and adjusting the rest the lathe should be shut off and the work rotated by hand to make sure it clears the tool rest.

Most tool rests are secured in the banjo with a bolt that is managed with wrench or a handle. Make sure the tool rest is secure in the banjo before starting the lathe. Just get in the habit of checking that the bolt is tight. If the rest is loose the pressure of the tool against it as you turn will move the rest into the wood resulting in a catch.

Finally, avoid working at the end of the tool rest especially if working on large pieces of wood. The torque resulting from a big catch can snap light tool rests and may result in injury. Use a rest that matches the work. They are readily available from after market sellers and can also be made up by a good welder.

As always in wood-turning, common sense dictates safety with tool rests and all other accessories. The idea is to be careful and have fun while encouraging safety in the craft.

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