Drill Rest
In using the lathe for drilling, a great saving in both time and drills can be effected by using a drill rest similar to that shown in Fig. 115. It is well to have a half dozen different sizes, starting at 1/4 inch and increasing by 1/8 inch, for various classes of work. These rests are not kept by material dealers, but can be made by the watchmaker. Saw from a piece of rolled sheet brass, say 1-16 inch thick, the circles required, leaving metal enough to finish nicely Place a steel taper plug in the taper chuck of your lathe and turn down a recess, leaving a shoulder on the taper. Drill a hole through the brass plate to fit the steel taper tightly. Place the end of the taper on a lead block and proceed to rivet the brass plate on the taper, making sure that it is true. Replace the taper in the lathe-chuck and proceed to turn the face and edge of the brass plate perfectly true and to the proper size. Those who have tried to drill a straight hole through an object by hold-it in the fingers know just how difficult it is to do, but by placing one of these drill rests in the spindle of the tail stock, placing the article to be drilled against it and bringing it up against the drill, you can drill the hole perfectly upright and avoid all danger of breaking the drill.