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I had a fun ash bowl going. I was pretty close to sanding. Then "BAM!" I did something with the round-nose carbide-tipped tool that the ash did not like and about half the bowl went flying. It hit me in the face and I haven't found the piece(s) yet. This bowl is finished. For now. While I collect my wits.

This type of mishap is rare, rare, rare.
But it is why I wear safety glasses.
Every time.
EVERY TIME!

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Sorry that happen.I hope it's the pieces of the bowl you can't find not pieces of your face. I'm glad your well enough to post this.
 

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Sorry, to see it didn't go well for you. Maybe there is a way to salvage it in some way and make work for something. Glad to hear you were not hurt.
I have been taking classes in my area for a couple years. I was told they only resently let the highschools have use of the lathes in the shopclasses after a student was killed in an accident with a lathe in a scholl near by. I never realized the danger could be this high. I am sure it may have been the kids using the machine improperly and were not properly instructed on safe operation. We must be careful accidents happen quick.
 

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@559: I actually took woodshop in high school back in the early '80s and that's where I fell in love with turning. We had a very good high school shop and a great teacher. I've had a few things happen on the lathe that weren't good, but I'm not sure I'd call it a dangerous tool. You can get hurt with a kitchen knife of course and all it takes is a split second of not paying attention or a simple mistake. So there are risks, to be sure.
 

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Glad you are ok. This can happen to the pros thats why i started wearing a face shield. they can be a pain in the butt but I still wear one most of the time. had a 10 inch piece come off and hit the side of the shield, after I changed my shorts I kissed that shield.
Your bowl looked like it was going to be a nice one. Now it can be a nice plate.
 

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Ow, that is one big chunk to come off that thing. I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt.
 

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Anyone who has turned wood for very long has had similar incidents. I had one large piece come off and smack me in the forehead, dropping me to my knees and another went through a $100 window. It does make you pay more attention to what you are doing.

Also glad you weren't hurt but I did find a small bit of humour in your statement about it hitting you in the face…"and I haven't found the piece(s) yet". I hoped you were referring to bowl pieces and not your face.
 

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I can't really tell from the pic, but it kinda looks like it may have had a crack that finally let loose.
Did you hear a tick tick tick noise before it broke?
I have heard a crack before I saw it.
Glad you're ok. I had my face shield almost knocked off, it's a wake up call.
 

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Unfortunately it happens to most turners sooner or later. To me more than I care to admit. Better to wear at least a face shield with those safety glasses, or maybe a "bit more". Maybe even spring for the Kevlar EOD rated models. (GRIN)



-Dave
 

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Glad to hear you are OK. Had it happen myself. I use a face shield
 

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Yep Aaron we have all had this sort of "event" with the lathe, can be scarry at times, generally comes down to lack of / loss of concentration & not studying the changing timber as we turn, I always wear a full face shield when 'roughing down" a new piece untill I am satisfied it has settled down.
Man I am pleased you weren't hurt. :)
Pete
 

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I'm glad nothing serious happened to you, and I enjoy humor note that I notified among that you wrote.
 

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Yeah it gives you quite a jolt alright. I try to keep out off the firing line as much as possible.
Glad you're ok
 

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Wow - usually these kinds of incidents are when turning some kind of really odd, gnarley crotch from a tree and you find a split.
Your bowl material seems very uniform, and you weren't getting the wals very thin. Amazing this was such a catastrophic wood failure.

Always a surprise how often this happens with bowls - even happend to the guy right in front of me at a turning class - - as the remnants bounced around my feet.

Guess that powermatic cage is a good feature afterall.
 

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New to turning-- as in just turned my first little bowl yesterday. Your word of caution has not fallen on deaf ears! Thanks for sharing.
 

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There is nothing like a piece tap dancing on your face at over 1000rpm. It got my attention the first time and wear a full face shield when I have anything on the lathe now.
 

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I always wear a full face shield when turning or using a router table or table saw (i.e. things that throw big pieces of wood at my face), I actually find them more comfortable than glasses, especially during the summer when it gets steamy.

Added benefit: since it's bigger it's much harder to misplace!
 

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Glad your ok. I turned a small bowl one time and I caught the rim. Turned it into a "design modification". Keep turning!
 

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This happened to me in high school. I was showing a friend how to turn, and he told me to put my glasses on. Put them on, tool to wood, wood to glasses. If I wasn't wearing those, my left eye would be covered with a patch.

My condolences, friend, but I am very happy to hear that you made it out alright.
 

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I just put one of these back on my lathe. Trying to decide whether I should turn out the edge or make it into a spoon rest. Glad to hear you were only stunned. Safety, safety, safety!
 
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