What to avoid ( Danger when Turning )

[Blister]

I thought It may be a good idea to start a list

" It Happened to me so be ware "

This may help others avoid personal Injury

So I will start , feel free to add to this list



Keep work tight in the chuck jaws , especially if turning wet wood as it compresses easily and becomes loose

ALWAYS ware a face mask

Always have your chisel on the tool rest before starting a cut

just a few for now so add your suggestions to the list

 

[kasandrich]

always turn the chuck by hand before powering on the lathe to ensure clearance, espaecially with square stock.

 

[BMac]

Use the tailstock for as long as possible.

After ensuring all is clear to move and secure stand to the side when you switch the lathe on.

If it 'feels' wrong it probably is wrong.

Brendan

 

[loz]

Hand sand spindles with the fingers under the piece, pointing in the direction of rotation, NOT on top opposing direction of rotation - else your fingers get pushed back into your hand.


Tell the wife / children to gently make themselves known to be present by knocking a few times on the shop door etc , not to just burst in with coffee to surprise you.

Don't test tool sharpness on fingertips, use the back of your thumbnail as a guide.

 

[TobyB]

Beware of working too far beyond the tool rest ... if more than a quarter of the length of the tool is over the rest then beware ... a catch can lever your hands into the work ...

 

[Bodrighy]

When turning wet or spalted wood either spindle work or on a tenon, face work, stop and check the tightness of the grip every so often as it can become loose.
Think twice about using a tenon on heavily spalted or soft woods as it can split off and fly.
Always move the rest out of the way when sanding.
Never wear loose or floppy clothes when turning.

Pete

 

[wizer]

Some good ones so far

Never forget to use the thread protector if you have a solid bore headstock (direct drive).

A Blunt Tool, is a Dangerous Tool.

 

[duncanh]

When you mount a large bowl blank make sure that the speed isn't still set for the high speed finishing of the pen that you just completed. (been there, done that, blank came off).

Make sure that the lathe is not in reverse.

When you start up the lathe don't stand in line with the work, stand behind, close to the headstock or tailstock. That way, if the wood comes off it's less likely to hit you.

Make sure that the stop button is easily accessible from where you're working - you don't want to have to reach round blindly feeling for it. If needs be make your own stop control that you can place close by or pester the lathe manufacturer for 5 years until they eventually decide to produce their own (Teknatool have finally given in to pressure and are about to sell one!)

A windowless shed can be a dangerous place in the dark if the lights cut out (supply failed or trip switch problem). Keep a clear path to the door. Also, keep a torch or lamp close by and paint a part of it with glow in the dark paint so you can find it in the dark. This has happened to me twice.

Don't use wood that you suspect to be cracked or unsafe. It might have beautiful grain but is it really worth the risk?

 

[robo hippy]

Be extremely careful when turning any wood with defects. Bark inclusions, cracks, punky, etc. You can turn them, but only at lower speeds. Try to stand out of the line of fire whenever possible. Use sharp tools. If you are distracted, sick, tired, or under the influence of anything, it might be best to stay out of the shop. Distractions can be very dangerous.

robo hippy

 

[robo hippy]

Oh, I forgot, I heard this one from Soundman on the Australian forums:

Anything with sharp teeth eats meat.
Most woodworking tools have sharp teeth.
People are made out of meat.

Another from 'Pat's Fan' on Wood Net forums:
When sphincter tightening exceeds chuck tightening, you have a problem.

robo hippy

 

[wizer]

beware of........ ebay...

 

[Finial]

How about

Tie long hair back so it doesn't catch in the chuck or spindle and get torn out. Same with loose sleeves.

Don't put your finger in the morse taper when the lathe is running

Wear steel toecaps if you are likely to drop something heavy or sharp

Use eye protection when grinding

Don't run glue ups too fast (DAMHIKT)

Blunt the sharp edges on a spinning disc

Don't use files as scrapers if they may be cracked

Don't have your finger between the tool and the rest when it catches

Don't have the rest too close to the chuck jaws if using an engineers' chuck - they can catch your hand. Don't let the blade touch the jaws either.

Don't use tools that are too light and flexible.

 

[duncanh]

Another painful one - don't get your finger caught between the teeth of a drill chuck and the key.

 

[wizer]

When making a spigot to fit in a scroll chuck, make it at the size of the chuck's optimum grip. This is when the jaws form a perfect circle. Doing this will ensure the jaws grip on their entire surface and reduce the risk of the workpiece becoming a missile.

 

[big soft moose]

wear respiritary protection all the time for prefference but particularly when sanding or working with toxic woods (when i was young and foolish i made my self very ill with taxine poisoning by ignoring this rule)

your 3/8 spindle gouge is not meant for roughing ! - use the right tool for the job even if it takes time to find it

steel wool is flamable - do not store it below the grinder

do not use your chuck key as a tommy bar to remove the chuck from the lathe

and ensure the chuck key has been taken out before starting the lathe

and buying a bigger lathe will not automatically make you a better turner !

 

[wizer]

and buying a bigger lathe will not automatically make you a better turner !

This is not true...

 

[Lightweeder]

Think twice about using a tenon on heavily spalted or soft woods as it can split off and fly.
Pete

I know this to be true

 

[devonwoody]

Can one of our computer bods please make the above advice into a printable list version.

I will shortly be running up my M990 lathe and have no previous experience apart from doing a few pens on my M330 mini lathe last year.

A printed list above the machine might help recall all those helpful suggestions each time I start.

 

[Doolanba]

Don't turn tired......
I started spindle turning a large piece (about 30" x 8"), it was vibrating too much for comfort so I moved the belt to the slowest pulley and tried again....
Unfortunately it turned out to be the fastest pulley... Doh! .... It flattened the fluorescent light showering me in glass, whacked my shoulder and just missed my head.... I decided that locking up and heading to bed would be a good move at that point.

 

[OldWood]

beware of........ ebay...

"and buying a bigger lathe will not automatically make you a better turner !"

and there are plenty of good buys on Ebay, so that's not true either. If you can't do your homework properly, then you *do* deserve you get your fingers burnt.

Rob