Rear Tool Post Spacer Block Sherline Lathe

[tonyfoale]

I have a rear mounted tool post and I find parting to work about the same as when using the front one. No advantage nor disadvantage. I also have a 4 way indexable tool holder on that rear post which always has 3 tools mounted, 1. the parting tool, 2. a small drill chuck with a short spotting drill bit and a normal turning tool.
The advantage that I find with the rear tool post is that I don't have to change tools on the front one as often and the permanently mounted spotting drill saves quite a few tailstock chuck and/or drill bit changes. Unless actually drilling for a centre I prefer a spotting drill to a centre drill for a pilot hole.
Sometimes the rear post gets in the way on certain jobs but I made it to be removable quickly and I machined register surfaces so that it goes back into the same place when fitted again. I don't have to take it off often.