User Guide

NOTE: Never attempt to cut steel with a diamond cutter.
While inserted tip carbide and diamond cutting tools will improve the performance of the
Sherline Lathe, they will not correct poor machining technique. Rigid setups are a must
for tools such as these.
FIGURE 20—The Sherline W.R. Smith T-Rest
T-Rest (P/N 2110) and Gravers
Another method of removing metal is with a hand held cutting tool called a "graver". It is
rested on and moved along a repositionable rest called a T-Rest. It is traditionally
associated with clock and watch makers using jeweler's lathes, but can be a useful skill to
anyone turning small, custom parts because of its freehand versatility. World renowned
watch and clock maker, William R. Smith designed Sherline's T-Rest, and with it, your
Sherline lathe becomes a first class jeweler's lathe. Complete instructions on use of the T-
Rest as well as 3 additional pages by W.R. Smith on how to make your own high quality
gravers are included with purchase of the rest. (They can also be found here on our World
Wide Web site.)