random #27: New Rule: Face shield mandatory (when turning barked pieces)

I am glad to hear you were not seriously hurt, Gary. At a 1000 rpm anything coming off the lathe has the potential to be a dangerous projectile. But I am glad to hear you finished the turning.

Be safe but have fun!

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Glad you’re OK. With your progress, you’re making me want to get a Lathe. I almost bought one at a pawn shop with an extension the other day but figured I had better stop buying tools until I get my shop built.

-- I always have tomorrow to stop procrastinating. WoodyWoodWrecker

Thank Goodness for the safety shield. As you said, Safety First.

Lew

Very Glad to hear that you were not hurt!! and also glad to hear you had a facemask on.

I have always advocated and use a full shield when turning….I also use/recommend a heavy apron or smock ( preferable leather for the apron – (I am looking for a nice one to replace my old tattered apron….so for now I use a heavy poplin smock)....a pair of gloves (I use a pair of good welders gloves (they give me all the dexterity with excellent protection right up to my smock sleeve)...and a dust mask. Some folks say that to use these are uncomfortable and ruin the “experience” of turning…...hmmm sounds like what they say about phophylactics…lol….but when you hear about the types and speed of material that can be ejected by the lathe (just like in your case)...I think a little discomfort is much better then whatever damage they would inflict. Needless to say, for all the time I have been turning (since high school) – I have not suffered any injury or serious mishap on the lathe (knock on wood here)....to me this is a great example that by taking a little time to be safe (and maybe a small amount of discomfort) makes all the difference in the world.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

gary … i can’t believe how much i am learning about turning from your posts, i always enjoy them. one of the big things is for me not to buy one of those things, it’s one of those tools that requires so many other tools. please keep up the good reporting

-- Paul , Calfornia

Gary, glad you were not hurt. I always wear my face shield, it has saved at the least, my regular glasses several times. At least this was an easy education for you. Catches happen, chips fly, that face mask is cheap insurance.
I enjoy your posts, keep them coming.

Glad you’re alright , Gary …Thanks for the warning : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

Gary Glad that all safety precautions were in place. And thanks for the warning.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

this happened to me not long ago http://lumberjocks.com/topics/8545
I never turn anything without my facemask

-- BRODY. NSW AUSTRALIA -arguments with turnings are rarely productive-

I got hit by a 2×2x4 in the nose just going to do a “quick” turning. I wear my shield all the time now when turning.

-- Jim in Cushing Oklahoma

Glad you didn’t get hurt badly. I agree….SAFTEY FIRST

Always were my faceshield. Have seen too many things hapen to spinning objects for me to risk getting hit.

Keep it safe. Thanks for the reminder.

Scrappy

-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!

OLD RULE: Always wear a faceshield when using most power tools.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Is the face shield still reliable after being whacked so hard? I thought they were like helmets and kid carseats, once they’ve being in an impact they should be replaced.

Glad to hear it wasn’t more serious. I’d be getting myself a new face shield after an impact like that.

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

Good to know you were wearing a face shield. Glad you ‘re OK! Now we know you can take a punch:-))

Reminds me of a Milwauke Hole Hog on a 1 1/4” wood auger that hung up one day. The torque pulled it out of my hand and my finger off the trigger, but the residule torque took it around another couple revolutions. It wacked my chin pretty good, but didn’t knock me off the ladder I was on. They run at 550 rpm I think.

Speaking of safety, I have never worn a wedding band being a working sort of guy. I see a lot of them in the “how to” videos. Good way to lose a finger or at least dislocate a joint.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Thanks for all the well-wishes, folks!

Woody – definitely! It’s addictive. I’ve not done anything else in my shop since I got it, and it’s a veritable swimming pool of wood chips and dust now. I have a lot to clean up and work on away from the lathe this long weekend!

reggie – You really suit up! You’re like a knight in armor :) I do want to get something like a long-sleeved apron to keep all the woodchips out of my collar, and off my arms. I’m a total mess by the end. I’ve not done well with breathing devices, because I’m big, and my breath is killer hot. I’m ready to pass out after a few minutes with a dust mask on. It’s always been a problem, though, even when I was very thin. I just run hotter. My mom’s even worse. She actually prefers snowy, cold weather, just because she finally feels good in it. When she visits me, she makes me point the portable A/C right on her, and sleeps with it blowing on her face all night, and isn’t bothered. It’s amazing. That unit blows freezing cold air. The gloves I also worry about, as I’m afraid to get the material caught. I’ve known of some people who’ve had gloves get caught up in machinery, and it seems so likely to me, I can’t bring myself to wear them around any power tools. I would like to figure out something for the heat of the chips, though. I couldn’t even make a single pass across the inside of a semi-dry Jacaranda bowl, because the chips coming off were red hot. My left pink was practically on fire. My tools heat up really fast, too, when I ride the bevels. About 2” becomes too hot to touch!

Broda – scary stuff! Glad you’re alright, and it reinforces my beliefs.

Jim – you too! These lathes are dangerous business.

John – I’ve actually switched from goggles like these to the face shield for most other operations around the garage. The goggles always fogged up, and on warmer days, or if I’m doing something particularly tense, they fog up in seconds, and I can’t see anything in about 30 seconds. I started putting something between my forehead and the top ridge to let them air out. Even removing all of the so-called vent plugs didn’t help. The face shield lets in a lot of air around the sides, so I can finally see. It’s rough having an internal fireplace, except when it’s cold. Then it comes in handy.

Mark – I hadn’t even though of that. It seems to be fine, though. There’s no cosmetic damage or hairline cracks. It has the same sound to it. I’ll keep my eye on it. Thanks for the heads up.

Topamax – I’ve got my own video of some auger troubles. I learned a little that day, and thankfully didn’t hurt any fingers! And yeah – I have no jewelry, and wouldn’t wear it in the garage if I did. Good thinking.

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator

Gary every once in a while I cheat and put on safety glasses and the shield comes off when it gets too hot.

Your blog is a good reminder for me to keep it on.

Thanks
Rob

-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!

Anyone ever thought about using a welding helmet with a clear glass?

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Rob – interesting! It’s the other way around for me. The face shield lets my face breathe. The goggles fog up immediately and cause the whole area around my eyes to sweat profusely.

Topamax – I’d be wary of that. The shield is probably strong enough, but it’s not really designed for impact. It’s made for heat, and to stop tiny sparks. The clear part may shatter into fragments if something strikes it, and if it’s actual glass, that’s even worse! Also, it’s flat, and less resistant to shattering due to geometry than the curved face of a face shield. Face shields for woodworking are high-impact polycarbonate, specifically built to withstand point stresses and high speed projectiles.

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator

ditto what was said above—I’m learning so much about turning from your blogs/projects!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)