Choosing the right lathe tool holder depends on the project size and tooling type. A longer tool rest is ideal, and shape is important for reaching open turns. Repositioning the rest is necessary as the project progresses, and the holder can be adjusted for comfort. A damaged holder can still be used for roughing or hollowing.
To choose the best lathe tool holder for any project, you need to consider the size of the project and the type of tooling that will be used on the lathe. For the most part, a turning tool holder is simply a holder, or guide, against which one end of the tool is placed as it is used to cut or turn a project into the desired size and shape. For most projects, selecting as long a lathe tool rest as possible will eliminate the need to repeatedly remove and reposition the rest. Shape is as important as size when choosing the correct lathe tool holder, as the long open arms will allow the tool to be positioned so it can reach an open turn.
The lathe tool rest needs to be repositioned frequently as the square corners of the design become rounded sides and the distance between the tool rest and the lathe starts to increase. Ideally, the operator wants to position the lathe tool holder as close to the lathe wood as possible without making contact. By placing the lathe tool holder close to the turning, the operator can measure the amount of taper in a piece of wood and identify any high or low points along the length of the wood.
On a common wood lathe, the lathe tool holder is held in place by a tool holder, a device that allows the rest holder to be inserted into it and tightened in place with a set screw. The tool holder can be rotated, tilted and raised or lowered by adjusting its position in the tool holder. The holder can also be slid back and forth along the lathe frame or bed to allow the rest to be positioned anywhere along the length of the lathing. With this adjustable feature, the operator is able to find a comfortable position from which to create an ornate turning from a regular piece of wood.
Occasionally, a utensil holder will be scarred and battered, causing the top edge to no longer be the smooth, stable guide it once was. In this case, the rest is commonly discarded from use on the finished outside of the lathe and is used when roughing out a block or hollowing out the center of a bowl. In this application, a smooth cut is not as important as when finishing a project where a fresh, smooth lathe tool rest must be used.
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