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Safety
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Woodturning Safety 101 - Craft Supplies USA Safe lathe speeds…
Woodturning is a fun and exciting hobby for people of all ages and skill levels. Te number of things you can create on your lathe with a minimal amount of time and money is limited only by your imagination. When woodturning, there are a number of safety considerations that must be kept in mind so that you can have a great time turning while being safe. Woodturning Safety 101 is intended to create safety awareness so as to prevent
personal injury. We hope you will find this information helpful and that you will review it from time to time. Feel free to reproduce and share this information with other woodturners you know.
Personal Safety…
1. Educate yourself on proper turning techniques, chuck operation, tool use and lathe operation.
2. Wear a full-face shield at all times. Safety glasses are not sufficient protection against flying debris.
3. Always use a dust mask or air filtration system. 4. Wear adequate hearing protection.
5. Don’t wear loose clothing, gloves or jewelry as they may become entangled with the lathe.
6. Never start the lathe before checking to make sure the spindle speed is correct for the size of work being turned. Also, make sure the work clears the tool rest by rotating the hand wheel before starting the lathe.
7. Be sure the work piece is securely mounted and is free of imperfections or poor glue joints.
8. Make sure all belt guards and covers are in place before starting the lathe.
9. Make sure the tool is on the tool rest before making a cut. 10. Always know your capabilities and work within your limits. 11. Utilize the tailstock whenever possible.
12. Always remove the tool rest support before sanding and finishing. Tis will help prevent injuries to your hands and fingers.
13. Do Not Overreach! Although many of today’s tools have long blades, this does not mean they are designed to reach long distances over the tool rest. Refer to “Tool Safety" information on this page.
14. Keep your tools sharp and properly ground. Dull tools are dangerous, as they require excessive pressure to make them cut.
15. Do not use tools for purposes they are not intended for. 16. Properly dispose of rags and do not leave finish containers open. 17. Never leave the lathe running unattended.
18. Stay alert, take frequent breaks and never operate the lathe while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
19. Use common sense at all times. If unsure at any time, seek the
advice of a woodturning expert or call us at 1-800-551-8876. We are here to help you.
Safety precautions are not limited to the list above. If you have questions regarding proper lathe operation, tool use or safety guidelines, please consult an expert.
Choosing a safe speed when turning can be done using a simple formula. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, we highly recommend using this formula.
Formula: Diameter x RPM= 6,000 – 9,000
Example- A bowl blank is 8 inches in diameter. 8" x 750 RPM= 6,000 8" x 1125 RPM= 9,000
Terefore the slowest recommended spindle speed is 750 rpm, with the highest recommended speed being 1125 rpm. 6,000 – 9,000 is NOT RPM’s, it’s only a range of numbers used to determine safe operating speeds. Also, if the work piece is out of round, use a slower speed while turning the blank round. Once the work piece is round, increase the lathe speed.
Tool Safety…
Although most gouges have long blades,
this does not mean that
they are designed to reach long distances over the tool rest. Te tables below offer recommended maximum reach distances for each type and size of gouge. Do Not exceed these recommended distances as it may result in a broken tool and serious injury.
Bowl Gouges: Shaſt Dia. Max. Reach 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" 3/4"
1-1/2" 2-1/2" 3-1/2" 3-1/2"
Spindle Roughing Gouges: Gouge 3/4"
1-1/4"+
Max. Reach 1-3/4" 1-3/4"
NEVER use spindle roughing gouges for bowl turning as this may cause serious injury.
Proper handle size…
Te length of a tool handle should be at least five times the maximum distance you intend to reach beyond the tool rest. Tis will make sure you have the needed leverage for proper tool control. Example: For a maximum reach of 3" over the tool rest, your handle should be at least 15" in length.
Woodturning Education...
Safe turning practices are not limited to the recommendations listed above. It is your responsibility to become properly trained and educated prior to attempting woodturning. If you would like to learn woodturning in a world-class facility with the very best instructors, see the inside back cover for information on our woodturning workshops at the Dale L. Nish School of Woodturning.
Spindle Roughing Gouge
Spindle Gouges: Shaſt Dia. Max. Reach 1/4" 3/8" 1/2"
3/4" 1"
9/16"
1-3/4" 1-3/4"
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