Banjo???

[Reed Gray]

Does anyone know why we call the thing your tool rest goes into a banjo? This came up at our club meeting last night. No one had a clue.
robo hippy

[robert hainstock]

I've wondewred that for over fifty years, but I don't think it matters what you cal it or any other part of the lathe as long as we all call it the same thing.:eek::eek::)
Bob

[Andrew Derhammer]

My best guess it's wider and sorta rounder where the tool rest goes and then it's a long straight section. Probably named by some drunk redneck and the name stuck:D

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Greg,

Did I overlook something at that webpage?

[Jim Becker]

My impression was that OneWay has done a lot to promote that name for the tool rest base...but that might just be an "urban shop legend..."

[Dale Bright]

"Also movably mounted on the lathe bed is the toolrest saddle which supports the toolpost and toolrest. The toolrest saddle - sometimes also known as a 'banjo' because of the shape of this part on earlier lathes - is moved into position such that the tool can be rested on the toolrest and reach the workpiece with full support."

This is a quote form this site: http://www.peter.hemsley.btinternet.co.uk/CDB//Technical/Beginners/beginners.html