I'm thinking of getting a new tool rest for work on bowls. My limited knowledge tells me the S shaped rests do the inside and outside of the bowl...do I have that right? Is there a reason to go with the J type over the S type?

It's all about getting support close to the wood.  I don't have any curved rests but I don't do many bowls. 

Edited March 2, 20242 yr by HandyDan

They can be helpful. I think they work better for inside the bowl, allowing you to get closer to the wood as @HandyDan mentioned. For the outside, it is pretty easy just to maneuver the straight tool rest. One thought, those with the horizontal metal curve that extend pretty far from the vertical post could break easier if there is a bad catch when you are very close to the "free end".

 

I had a couple made at a welding shop. A simple "S" shape attached to a metal post- at the center of the "S". 

I have a j curve from Robust but rarely use it. I just do not see the need when you can push a straight rest in near as far.

Thanks, guys....I think I'll pass on the curved rest at the moment; maybe if I ever become more skilled at turning I revisit the choice. Funny, I was looking at a used lathe on Facebook last fall and it had "about $1500 in extras" included. There must have been 5 or 6 curved rests in that pile of extras....guess someone thought they were really useful.