Recommendation? Simple 90 degree rest for my platen

[Maelstrom78]

I have an adjustable work rest for my flat platen.

It's ok but darned if I don't have to fiddle with the thing every time I take it on and off. Three bolts to dink around with and 99% of the time I just want it at 90.

I like having it for profiling and initial bevel work but I want it out of the way when I'm working angles on the kitchen knives I mostly make.

So I'm thinking of some sort of 90 degree rest that has a point of attachment close to the platen on the tool arm itself. Then some sort of pivot that can lock in place but swing out of the way when I don't want it.

Anyone see something like that? Crazy idea? I'm going to noodle it over a bit and if I cob something up I'll share it.

Some time ago I thought someone had a wood "arm" that swung in and out mounted to his bench. Fiddleback forge I believe.

 

[Drew Riley]

What kind of grinder do you have? Or rather, how does the current work rest attach?

 

[Knight Owl Forge]

I'm thinking you'd have to be pretty good at fabrication if you want it to swing in or out and lock into place. The issue is that pivot points are typically places where you start to get 'slop'. It would have to be pretty robust so that there is no tilt or play in the hinge. Sounds awesome though and if you give it a try, post some photos! If I were to do it, I would attach it to the tool arm... or if I had the grinder with the extra tool arm port, I would use that instead. Tool arms seem to be solid and easy to get things squared up to.

 

[AVigil]

kinda like this?

 

[Maelstrom78]

-I have an esteem grinder and the tool arm has tapped holes already for the work rest so I think I'll try to use those somehow.

- Yes the "slop" is my concern too as far as keeping it a 90. Maybe a sleeve I can just slide a "mini toolbar" in and out of.

-AVigil Yeeee Buddy. I've never tried that way of doing a "linkage" (wrong term I know) so maybe this is the time to try it.

 

[Drew Riley]

You might even consider something as simple as moving to adjustable handles instead of bolts, or reducing the amount of fasteners used to mount your rest.

I make my main rest to where I can just pull it out of the tool arm with a quick turn of a handle. The arm can then be pushed to the back of the tool arm socket out of the way. When the table is locked into the arm, it’s dead 90 every time (assuming my platen isn’t tilted).

 

[Drew Riley]

As long as your holes are drilled straight and square to the tool arm, and not oversized, a rest system like AVigil’s will be rock solid and hit the same angle every time.
If you’re really worried about it, ream the holes and use PG round bar.

 

[LARRYZ10]

Here's one I use. The second photo shows it slightly modified. Larry

 

[Maelstrom78]

Yeah I like those I can just drop in and out with the handles.

I have this tendency to want to weld everything but to keep square I agree drilling and tapping are the way to go.

Thanks guys.

 

[Stromberg Knives]

I made a simple work rest which does what I need. I seldom use anything else than 90 degrees.

 

[Natlek]

I could not live without ...........adjustable rest plate

 

[Randy3000]

I have solved the problem of "hinges create slop and chatter" many times by making the pivot point a bolt that i tighten once it is in place. This jig, for example (see the leftmost bolt)

I even have an adjustable stop for the pivot (see the long bottom right bolt).

Edit
I like Larrys solution to hinge slop, it is better than mine for this application.