Input on tool rest 'expansion'

Fish30114

Fish30114

Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
1,495
I am wanting a bigger work surface for my tool rest--at this point what I am thinking of is simply buying a piece of stainless, and drilling a tapping a few holes in my current tool rest and bolting the new plate on top of it. I was thinking I would like to go with mirror polished, so that blades will slide smoothly along the rest during work.

I am open to input and also wondering opinions on whether your tool rest should be non-magnetic or not.

Thanks for any advice/feedback
 
I just got a big slab of mild steel, cut it to the shape I wanted, and clamped it to the existing tool rest. Checked with a level and its good to go. Done.
 
Unless you use hardened steel (stainless or not), I think you might be disappointed with the smooth sliding as time goes on. Granite is the way to go! You could simply epoxy a chunk of granite countertop to a metal backer.

On my mild steel work rest, I have used talc powder as a sliding aid on my work rest - it works well. I also tried Rulon (glorified teflon) tape - it was wonderful for the first few hours but got beat-up quickly. You can buy UHMW (similar to teflon) tape for a reasonable price, and replace it when it gets ugly. Another option, depending on how you grind, is to put the UHMW tape on the knife instead of the work rest.
 
Depending on the length you will have some flex unless the ends are supported.Just something to think about.Good luck,Lu
 
I used aluminum on mine. No flex but it will gall. Are you using a jig? I saw someone put some plastic on the bottom of their jig. It slid across very well.
 
I have built several types of tool rests for my grinders and the aluminum ones works as well as the steel. They will all get scratches as you use them so what I do now is to finish the blade to where it is about ready to finish sand after heat treat and smooth all the scratches on the ricasso with a platen and clean the edges up with the blade sitting on a fresh piece of telephone book paper to protect the flats. Then I tape the blade while fitting the scales and grinding the scales to shape. An old telephone book next to the grinder provides unlimited clean surfaces to finish and square the edges of the blade. Larry
q0o6QNxl.jpg
 
LARRYZ10 said:
I have built several types of tool rests for my grinders and the aluminum ones works as well as the steel. They will all get scratches as you use them so what I do now is to finish the blade to where it is about ready to finish sand after heat treat and smooth all the scratches on the ricasso with a platen and clean the edges up with the blade sitting on a fresh piece of telephone book paper to protect the flats. Then I tape the blade while fitting the scales and grinding the scales to shape. An old telephone book next to the grinder provides unlimited clean surfaces to finish and square the edges of the blade. Larry
q0o6QNxl.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow, something so simple. Thanks for that tip.
 
I wanted a larger tool rest for my Esteem grinder. I used 1/2" thick 3" aluminum plate. I took the two bolts out if the stock rest. I laid the stock rest on the new one and used a transfer punch to mark the holes. Drilled the holes on the mill and used a 82deg counter bore to recess the Allen bolts. Went on easily.

I think I may put some UHMW on top of the rest. It's a great material. I have used it on the bottom of airplane skis, boat boards on trailers and all sorts of stuff.
 
I have a piece of 3/8"x6" mild steel plate that I just clamp to my existing work table when I need a larger surface. When I need a clean surface I just put a couple of strips of painter tape down on the surface. I like the phone book idea, might have to give that a try. I tried gluing a piece of 1/16" teflon down to the table, but it just got dinged up to easily.
 
Mine is aisi 304 (non magnetic)... i can use a magnet holder for the blades, for certain grinding operations and i find it is a nice plus, then it doesn't rust as i wet grind heat treated blades.
no need for mirror polish, and it resists very well to gouging by the blades.
Of course grind the belt notch that will help against snatching in between belt/rest
 
Good ideas folks, I appreciate it--I may be trying a jig, just my tool rest is a little smaller than I like right now.

I like the clamping idea, and actually have a good bit of white uhmw on hand.
 
cast iron plate won't drag and catch on your blades the way steel does. I've used rests others have made from repurposed table saw tables etc. Really nice, and usually the top surface is already flat and smooth.
 
I picked up a cheap plastic cutting board from The Dollar Tree to attach to the bottom of my jig. The thing I'm paranoid about is keeping everything level.

Another thing I've done to increase the slide of the jig on the tool rest is to use some graphite lubricant. It works great but it has to be reapplied frequently. I've gotten to the point where I just use steel on steel and try to keep things dry and clean. The way you position your body has a lot to do with how well it slides across the surface. I sit in a rolling office chair when using mine. I rest my elbows on my knees and keep my outside arm tucked close to my body and turn in the chair. The chair swivels which makes it easier for pulling the blade across the belt/platen. Also, you might try pushing the blade across the platen, sometimes that works better.
 
Mine might be a little big for some, but it works for me. It's 24" long if I remember right. I grind with a jig.

IMG_20150915_173337_zpsuhz5odu0.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top