TOOLREST FOR GRINDER
by John
This contraption is a toolrest for a benchgrinder. it was an early project when I started metalworking-machining, and was made mainly on a milling machine, and lathe.
The tool to be sharpened on the grinder (lathe cutter, chisel, screwdriver, saw blade etc) rests on the top platform. The top platform can be adjusted to any angle in 3 dimensions, using the brass handles. The 2 brass knobs are to present the work to the grinding wheel, and are graduated in thousanths of an inch. Sounds complicated and it is.
Designed by Harold Hall, with plans and instructions in his book “Milling, A complete course”.
The wine glass is for scale only. Although the level went down during the photography session. Must have evaporated.
I have nickel plated several components of this tool ,because of surface rust.
johnsmachines 
Very nice. Have you tried using it to sharpen end mills as described by Harold Hall?
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Hi John, yes, I have made most of HH’s adapters, and used it/them for drills, end mills (although not on the side flutes yet), lathe tools. It works fairly well, but is light duty only. Pressure on the grinding wheel has to be kept quite light. Main drawback is lack of any degree scales on the axes, for repeat jobs.
I subsequently built a Quorn, but have now moved on to an old big tool & cutter grinder for this work. I still have some affection for the HH tool rest, however. It looks great with all of those knobs and knurls.
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This tool rest is a work of art in my opinion. Did you do the nickel plating yourself or have it done by a service. Excellent project for using both the milling machine and lathe.
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Thank you David for the compliment. I did the nickel plating, and it is described in an earlier post. The real credit goes to Harold Hall, for his superb design and book.
John
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