Safety for Wood Lathes
MAIN INJURY HAZARDS: Death or crushing injury from getting entangled in rotating spindle or workpiece; death, blindness, or broken bones from being struck by a workpiece that breaks apart or comes loose during rotation, turning tool kickback, or flying wood chips. To minimize your risk of these hazards, always heed the following warning information:
INTEGRITY OF STOCK. Verify each workpiece is free of knots, splits, nails, or foreign material to ensure it can safely rotate on spindle without breaking apart or causing turning tool kickback.
WORKPIECE PREPARATION. Before mounting, cut off waste portions with a bandsaw or other tool to ensure workpiece has no large edges to catch turning tool, and it will rotate without dangerous wobbling.
SECURING LOCKS. Verify tool rest, headstock, and tailstock are secure before turning lathe ON.
SECURING WORKPIECE. An improperly secured workpiece can fly off spindle with deadly force. Use proven setup techniques and always verify workpiece is
TOOL SUPPORT. An improperly supported tool may be grabbed or ejected. Adjust tool rest approximately 1⁄4" away from workpiece and 1⁄8" above workpiece center line to provide proper support for turning tool. Firmly hold turning tool with both hands against tool rest.
TOOL KICKBACK. Occurs when turning tool is ejected from workpiece with great force, striking operator or bystanders. Commonly caused by poor workpiece selection/preparation, improper tool usage, or improper machine setup or tool rest adjustment.
ADJUSTMENT TOOLS. Remove all chuck keys, wrenches, and adjustment tools before turning lathe ON. A tool left on the lathe can become a deadly projectile when spindle is started.
SAFE CLEARANCES. Before starting spindle, verify workpiece has adequate clearance by hand- rotating it through its entire range of motion.
EYE/FACE PROTECTION. Always wear a face shield and safety glasses when operating lathe.
PROPER APPAREL. Do not wear gloves, necktie or loose clothing. Keep keep long hair away from rotating spindle.
SPEED RATES. Select correct spindle speed for workpiece size, type, shape, and condition. Use low speeds when roughing or when turning large, long, or
NEW SETUPS. Test each new setup by starting spindle rotation at the lowest speed and standing to the side of the lathe until workpiece reaches full speed and you can verify safe rotation.
ROUGHING. Use correct tool. Take light cuts, use low speeds, and firmly support tool with both hands.
SHARP TOOLS. Only use sharp turning tools— they cut with less resistance than dull tools. Dull turning tools can catch or grab and pull your hands into the rotating workpiece.
STOPPING SPINDLE. Always allow spindle to completely stop on its own. Never put hands or another object on spinning workpiece.
ADJUSTMENTS/MAINTENANCE. Make sure wood lathe is turned OFF, disconnected from power, and all moving parts are completely stopped before doing adjustments or maintenance.
MEASURING WORKPIECE. Only measure work- piece after it has stopped. Trying to measure a spinning workpiece increases entanglement risk.
SANDING/POLISHING. To reduce entanglement risk, remove tool rest before sanding. Never com- pletely wrap sandpaper around workpiece.
Model T10808 Wood Lathe Chuck Set |