SHERLINE Wood Tool Rest

P/N 3038

(or P/N 3047 for use w/ P/N 1291 Riser Blocks )

The Sherline lathe is used by many hobbyists to turn wooden parts. In wood turning, the chisel-like tool is held by hand rather than in a tool holder as is used to cut metal. These adjustable 3" and 5" rests are placed near the work and the cutting tool is rested on and moved across their surface to cut wood. The design of the tool rest support system allows great flexibility in adjustment for position. Socket head screws and T-nut fasteners are included for mounting to the table. An extended height set is also available for use with the P/N 1291 riser block set.

The wood turning accessories for a metal turning lathe were somewhat of an afterthought. A machine designed to cut metal can easily cut wood using the same methods as cutting metal. The machine can become a little cumbersome when used as a wood turning lathe because the handwheels were designed to produce very accurate movements rather than rapid movements. The tool support is mounted on the crosslide, and if you try to use it like a standard wood turning lathe, the crosslide and handwheel would be in your way. Work with your tool angled above center rather than below center as shown in most instructions on wood turning. This can eliminate the problems of long handled wood turning tools hitting the table.

Success will be determined by having good turning tools and good hardwoods, such as maple, to work with as the Sherline has a superior spindle to that on wood turning lathes. There isn't any reason you can't cut wood with lathe tools, but they have to be very sharp. If you have a lot to cut you may have more success with more rake on your tools. Again, the harder the wood the better it will cut.

We also manufacture a spur driver (P/N 3035) to work between centers. A live center (P/N 1191) is also a must for this. When working with small diameters you have the advantage of holding work with the 3- or 4-Jaw chucks (see caution below) or even with the collets.

We added this accessory to our production line because we were constantly asked for something to make very small wooden parts. I visualized these attachments making small parts like doll house furniture when I designed it which is the reason for an offset support. This design allows you to work with the tailstock spindle close to the spindle and still get a support in between them.

We made a trial run of parts and the first call I received was the support arm was too short. The part he was making was a fishing rod handle which is why there are now two support arms included. The second one is for working on longer parts.

The next call was for an extended tool support shaft to be used with our riser blocks (P/N 1291 and 1292). A lamp was the project this time. An extended wood tool rest is now available as P/N 3047.

For additional information on wood turning techniques, there are many fine books written for reference. I would be writing about something I know little about, so recommend that you research any questions you may have on techniques.

I hope you find these to be useful accessories for your Sherline lathe.

Joe Martin, President and Owner
Sherline Products

CAUTION

When working with hand held wood cutting tools and using a three-jaw or four-jaw chuck to hold your work, be especially careful not to let your cutting tool contact the spinning chuck jaws. This could easily rip the tool from your hand and throw it with great force, possibly back at you. For this reason it is best when working on wood parts to mount the part to a faceplate or to drive the work with the P/N 3035 spur driver rather than using a chuck.

*P/N 1291 is a riser block kit. Parts No. 30440 and 30480 have extended shafts to accommodate the extra height of this accessory.

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