Wood Lathe Safety: Getting the Woodturner Ready To Turn

Woodworking is a reasonably dangerous hobby or occupation. By that, I mean that a bit of reason does a lot to remove many dangers. Wood lathes are among the safest of woodworking stationary tools because, unlike table and band saws, instead of wood heading into a moving blade, a hand held blade is directed into the moving wood. However, it is still necessary to do some basic preparation in order to ensure safety at the wood lathe.
While woodturners are good to ready the lathe by making wood and machinery secure and the tools sharpened, they also need to prepare themselves for a safe experience. Amateurs in particular turn wood when opportunity presents itself, often after a hard day at work. This can mean a drowsy period and it should not be spent near power tools. Such time is better spent first having a nap or even cleaning the shop. Sometimes all that is needed to clear the cobwebs is a bit of simple movement in a pleasant atmosphere.
It should not need to be said, but the woodturning shop with its chain saws, wood lathes, and band saws is not the place for alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs or over the counter medications. Check with your doctor for side effects including drowsiness before turning while using medications.
It is necessary to dress for woodturning. Loose clothing can easily catch on spinning wood, especially rough or burled pieces. A turner can easily be caught and hauled into the lathe. Considering that even small lathes often have half horsepower motors, this can be extremely dangerous. Neckties and jewellery are particularly to be avoided. Even rings can be caught on the spinning wood resulting in an accident called degloving wherein the bone is left on the finger and the skin and muscles are removed. A small turned box near the lathe for rings and other jewellery is a good reminder of safety first.
Clothing that is tight at the cuffs and neck prevents annoying and distracting shavings from becoming an irritant against the skin. Face masks and goggles prevent flying wood from doing damage to the face and eyes while dust masks can prevent damage to the lungs.
Many turners forget the dangers of chemicals in finishes. Latex or vinyl gloves help prevent contact problems and a good chemical mask can prevent lung damage. Even better is the use of finishes that are safe for breathing and contact.
Safety is an issue that faces all of us at the wood lathe. It is possible to use common sense and be safe in this very enjoyable craft for a lifetime of shavings.
Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods, contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? There are many free videos on the site dealing with everything from sharpening to making a bowl.
To get an introduction to the various parts of a wood lathe and to look at four different types in more detail check out different types of lahtes. The web site also contains information on the maintenance of the lathes as well as guidance on many aspects of woodturning.
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