modular tool rests

[tom fasbinder]

The good news is I just got my new Mustard Monster.
The bad news is that I'm trying to use some of my old accessories.........one of which is a modular tool rest from Woodcraft. They don't offer a 1" post that is long enough for the Powermatic 3520 so I have been trying to find a post from another manufacturer that matches Woodcrafts 1/2"-13tpi thread.

I emailed Best Woods and they said that theirs was not 1/2"-13tpi.

Anybody know of one that will fit?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Tom - congrats on your new lathe! I do not have a 3520B - but have to ask if you are sure the 5" post wouldn't work for you?

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000391/2072/Post-1-Diameter-5-long.aspx

Just curious as to length of your stock tool rest post. Good luck!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Tom,

I have a PM3520B and the Robert Sorby modular rest. I will go measure the post I use to see if a 5" post will work as Steve suggests. Be right back.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Tom,

I measured the length of the post on my Sorby modular rest and it's 6 1/2".

I placed it in the banjo at a height where the top of the rest was level with the center of chuck. I marked the line where the post met the banjo and measured down to the center of the locking device for the tool rest. I added those two measurements together.

5" would be borderline IMHO.

I bought my modular toolrest while visiting in Houston. They have since gone out of business (The Cutting Edge IIRC). Vaguely I remember there were 2 different lengths for use on a PM 3520B or a PM90?..the older PM lathe. Let me check another source and see if I can find some more information.

[Alan Zenreich]

Tom,

I have some modular tool rests from a couple of makers, and they're all 1/2"x20tpi threads. I was hoping that a rest I picked up for my wife's lathe from Woodcraft would have the same thread, but found out when I got it home that it was 1/2"x13 like yours.

I don't know if he'll do it, but you might want to contact Rick Herrel (rherrell on the Pneturners.org site). He has a listing in the Individual Classified section called "For Sale - Custom Tool Rests". You can ask him if he'll make some posts with the 13tpi thread. He's a good guy and might accomodate you.

I'll send you a private message with his contact information.

[bob svoboda]

Mustard Monster???? I cleaned my screen and still don't see one. Anyway, if it truly exists, congratulations. I have the same lathe and use one of Woodcraft's modular rests-as Ken says, it does work, but the length of the post is definitely marginal. I only have the 4" rest and it works for pens, stoppers and the like, but am not tempted to buy any of the other rests because of that marginality,

[Mark Hubl]

My sorby post is 5 1/2" from bottom to top of threads. Don't use it on a mustard though. The threads are M12 1.25, so that won't work for you. Hope you find something.

[tom fasbinder]

Thanks for all of the responses..........I love this forum!
According to Packard Woodworks' site.......the assembled height of their modular system for the Powermatic 3520B is 8".
Since 1 only have 1 of Woodcrafts rests, it's sounding like I might as well just switch to a different brand that will fit the Powermatic.
So.........Anybody have input on the system that they use?

Thanks all.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Tom,

I use the Robert Sorby modular rest. It's hardened steel and works like a champ. I had it on my Jet Mini VS and just bought a new post when I upgraded to my PM3520B.

You can buy it at The Best Things. No connection with them other than being a happy repeat customer. http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/sorby_modular.htm