Making a Flip-Over Tool Rest for the Cowells Watchmakers Lathe

DIY Flip-Over Tool Rest for the Cowells Watchmakers Lathe

In this video, I design and build a flip-over tool rest for my Cowells watchmakers lathe. I planned it out in Onshape and built the main parts using silver steel, brass, and mild steel, including a pivoting top plate and clampable collet-style tool post.

🔨 Build Highlights:
Steel base machined flat and drilled for mounting
Brass pivot pin turned and slotted to form the hinge
Tool rest made from 1" silver steel, angled and heat-treated
Fitted with a knurled nut for clamping and smooth action
Quick test using a makeshift graver (still need to make a proper one!)

The rest flips over easily and clamps securely in both positions — a really handy little addition to the lathe setup. It’s my first time building something like this and I’m really happy with how it turned out.

📐 Plans are available over on my website if you'd like to build your own:
👉 https://www.raynerd.co.uk

👍 If you enjoy workshop builds and small tooling projects like this, feel free to like and subscribe — it helps support the channel and future videos!

#WatchmakersLathe #CowellsLathe #ModelEngineering #ToolRest #HomeWorkshop #raynerd #LatheProjects #Metalworking #FlipOverToolRest #HorologyTools