Replies

1. 
   desertmaster | Apr 13, 2005 08:30am | #1

   Bill,

       Here's what I did:  went to Home Depot and bought a concrete pier block ( a pyramid shaped concrete block with 2 metal straps extending vertically from the top);  bolted a 4 X 4 post of suitable length to the top of the pier block, between the straps;  bored an approx 1 1/4" diameter hole down thru the end grain of the top of the post; epoxied a section of 1"  diameter galvanized pipe into the hole; bored a hole in the side of the pipe and tapped it for 1/4"  X 20 threads;  on the lathe, turned a short handle and epoxied a 1/4" X 20 section of threaded rod into the end of it, for use as a set screw to hold the tool rest in place, which fits into the 1" pipe.

     This works reasonable well as a floor stand. I'm careful to keep shims under the block to keep it from wobbling on my slightly unflat concrete floor, and always keep it as close as possible to the workpiece without touching it.   I only need it occasionally, as I don't turn very many large diameter pieces. If I did more large bowls, etc., I would spend a couple of hundred for a dedicated floor stand.  

      Hope this helps.     Gary

    

    

1. 
   bill5335 | Apr 13, 2005 08:25pm | #3

   Thanks for the ideas guys. It's exactly what I needed. 

   Luckily, my brother-in-law has a welder.  He's been itching to find a use for it!

   Bill

1. 
   withthegrain | Apr 13, 2005 09:47pm | #4

   One trick I have seen used that worked well, is the pipe upright welded to an old auto wheel. It seemed pretty stable, cheap and easy to move around.

   Dennis

2. 
   Lilshaver | Apr 13, 2005 07:00pm | #2

   I use a seperate floor stand. I made mine by welding some flat bar to a 2" dia. pipe, etc., but Gary's solution sounds fine if you don't work with metal. I have found many other uses for this movable support other than at the lathe. If you choose to make one, or buy one, "heavy" is the descriptive term you want to use.

   Jeff

3. 
   kensshop | Apr 16, 2005 12:27am | #5

   See if you can locate a Delta part # 46-697.  This is the outboard tool rest stand that I bought a few years ago.  There are probably a few still around.  Good Luck, Ken