Woodturning how safe

[gaz1]

Make yourself a pole lathe? Much safer

viewed down the pole lathe but its the foot wear that put me off

prefered this one

 

[Onoff]

Now I've got a bit of experience I can turn very soft stabilized spalted beech

"...seven failed attempts" wasn't it?

 

[brightspark]

if u keep the turning rest as close as possible to the job with hardly any overhang and the correct sharp chisel there as safe as houses if you put some clueless idiot on one then it can be dangerous

 

[Onoff]

I last turned wood at school about 45 years ago.

Mate's just given me his Clarke lathe and a bunch of tools as he's upgraded.

Tbh I want the metal work lathe up and running first. Both lathes currently sat vertical awaiting space...

 

[brightspark]

made this pattern on a wood lathe last year and cast it in bronze / its about 12 inch long

 

[James1979]

our blacksmith really needs Full PPE as well, steel toe capped boots, eye protection, ear defenders as well, if we are being really safe. I must have a full face screen and also boots with a leather flap over them because I use Molten metal. Best be extra safe and give our cooks full aprons and maybe a cute tall hat as well. Oh and make sure that the kids on the show don't get anywhere near anything remotely dangerous. Get real. our group is one of the most respected living history group in the country,. We are also adults and every activity is carefully thought out. And supported by 20 pages of RAMS, thank you for your input.

So how do you get around all the PPE then?

I’m assuming it’s a loophole like you’re not working or employed or some such?

Genuinly wondering. If it was a workplace it would be mandatory?

 

[grim_d]

our blacksmith really needs Full PPE as well, steel toe capped boots, eye protection, ear defenders as well, if we are being really safe. I must have a full face screen and also boots with a leather flap over them because I use Molten metal. Best be extra safe and give our cooks full aprons and maybe a cute tall hat as well. Oh and make sure that the kids on the show don't get anywhere near anything remotely dangerous. Get real. our group is one of the most respected living history group in the country,. We are also adults and every activity is carefully thought out. And supported by 20 pages of RAMS, thank you for your input.

Get real? Nothing more real than losing an eye for authenticity for sure

I've spent enough hours in A&E having things dug from my eyeballs that I'm only hoping for others to avoid it.

Ain't nothing wrong with appropriate PPE for tasks where risk is present. There's a good reason why everyone's grandfather used to have only 8 fingers...

If you have 20 pages of risk assessment and the guys involved in tasks where shrapnel is present don't require eye protection then your risk assessment is only fit for toilet paper.

Your living history group may well be respected, but you sir, with that response, do not have my respect.

H&S gone mad is one thing but encouraging poor safety practices is quite another, particularly if children are present, they copy what they see.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Spent many years working with wood.

Think I've got some goggles somewhere... Maybe

 

[grim_d]

Spent many years working with wood.

Think I've got some goggles somewhere... Maybe

I'll tell you what's funny, is that chippies never wear eye protection....but also never get anything in their eye...

I end up in hospital because I take my t-shirt off and something falls off it.

Did you wear it when you used to turn metal?

 

[brightspark]

wanted to be a wood butcher when i left school was always top of the class at it ended up being an electrician fortunately

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I'll tell you what's funny, is that chippies never wear eye protection....but also never get anything in their eye...

I end up in hospital because I took my t-shirt off and something fell off it.

Did you wear it when you used to turn metal?

No. I don't stick my head over what I'm turning. That would be silly.


I got crap in my eye last year. Very painful.


All day cutting in wind. No problem.

Get in the shower and wash crap Into my eye. Go figure.


Glasses wearer

 

[grim_d]

No. I don't stick my head over what I'm turning. That would be silly.


I got crap in my eye last year. Very painful.


All day cutting in wind. No problem.

Get in the shower and wash crap Into my eye. Go figure.


Glasses wearer

Nor I..... but stuff like brass sprays like a damn fountain, or "heavy" cutting en8 just goes where it likes, I've literally had chips melted into my safety specs right Infront of my eye.

All this big talk and you wear glasses, bloody cheater.

My vision is 20/20, even after all my mishaps and I'm determined to keep it that way.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Nor I..... but stuff like brass sprays like a damn fountain, or "heavy" cutting en8 just goes where it likes, I've literally had chips melted into my safety specs right Infront of my eye.

All this big talk and you wear glasses, bloody cheater.

My vision is 20/20, even after all my mishaps and I'm determined to keep it that way.

I jest a little. I have safety squints about. They are worn as and when needed.

Same for respirators etc.

When I'm using a skilly/drop saw wet saw I've never felt the need.

Chopping off rafters at head height.
Il pop my goggles on. It's sensible.

 

[bourbon]

So how do you get around all the PPE then?

I’m assuming it’s a loophole like you’re not working or employed or some such?

Genuinly wondering. If it was a workplace it would be mandatory?

It's a Hobby, that we all enjoy

 

[James1979]

It's a Hobby, that we all enjoy

I guessed that would be the loophole.

You enjoy it and it obviously is enjoyed by the people who come and see you.

Would I do it without PPE? would I f’k! But each to their own and it is good you have a hobby you enjoy.

 

[Islander71]

Been woodturning professionally for about 48 years. Get a solid lathe - weight it down with sand bags if it isn't heavy - you dont want any deflection. Keep the toolrest close. Use woodturning gouges, not chisels, and keep them sharp, regularly touching up with a fine grindwheel, no need to hone. The bevel of the gouge acts as a fulcrum - start with the handle down so only the bevel rubs, as you bring the handle up it will start to cut, dont bring it up more than you need to get cutting - you dont want it acting as a scraper or you will lose control and the edge. Eye protection is a must, and protect yourself from the dust especially when sanding as some wood dust is toxic, especially some of the exotic woods.
Its very satisfying as the work takes shape rapidly, and the material just grows on trees.

 

[Gareth J]

I get that it's probably supposed to be "ye olde wood turning" but Mike really needs some eye protection.

Have you ever used a pole lathe before?

I'm no expert but spent a few days pole lathing the round bits for a chair along with x8 others. There were no near misses or injuries of any kind. No one wore eye protection on the lathes and we weren't exactly being gung ho. I'm not saying there is no risk but it's significantly lower than with anything motorised. The control is so much better, speeds lower and predictability higher. And the wood is turned green - there's no dust or splinters to speak of.

 

[Arc Tourist]

The only time I ever used a woodturning lathe was when I was about 12 in school. Wouldn't let us near a metal turning lathe - only wood.
I was pretty good at it and enjoyed using them.
Now the the thought of it fills me with dread - how can it be safe to hold a sharp chisel by hand and stick it into a fast spinning thing

I quite fancy having a go again though - is it as dodgy as it looks? Metal turning lathes are bad enough.

When I was in Wood Shop at school, the the teacher had modified the cutting knives by replacing the standard handles with extra long ones. They were long enough so the handle could extend under a student's armpit. This allowed greater control and leverage over the tool. He was a smart teacher.

 

[grim_d]

Have you ever used a pole lathe before?

I'm no expert but spent a few days pole lathing the round bits for a chair along with x8 others. There were no near misses or injuries of any kind. No one wore eye protection on the lathes and we weren't exactly being gung ho. I'm not saying there is no risk but it's significantly lower than with anything motorised. The control is so much better, speeds lower and predictability higher. And the wood is turned green - there's no dust or splinters to speak of.

No. But it's still spinny with flying debris. It's still a sharp, hardened steel tool being impacted in a possibly unpredictable manner.

I get it, it's not "that" much of a risk....make your own decisions...I'm putting specs on.

 

[Gareth J]

No. But it's still spinny with flying debris. It's still a sharp, hardened steel tool being impacted in a possibly unpredictable manner.

I get it, it's not "that" much of a risk....make your own decisions...I'm putting specs on.

Irrelevant of whether or not you wear eye protection, if you ever get the chance, try it sometime, it's incredibly satisfying once you get the rhythm.