lathe.....training required?

Hi there,

This might be a silly question........I'm considering obtaining a wood lathe when funds allow.

Would I need special training to operate it, with regards safety specifically ?

It'll be a simple bench mounted apparatus.......making cone feet and the like moslty.

I operate a hand held metal grinder quite regularly +petrol driven power gardening tools (strimmer +hedge trimmer) in the course of my work.....are there specific safetly training requiremnts needed for a lathe, other than the obvious caution you would show a fast moving piece of machinary?

Can any one advise, please?



regs,

David

 

Not sure if it is any help but the sort of lathe I have used had a cutting bit as part of it. That was pretty easy to use and you just turn the wheels to move the cutting bit. You could also set-up the machine to move the bit itself to get nice constant movement.

If it is the sort where you use hand tools to do the cutting I bet it is a lot harder.

You can get things that hold a power drill and covert it to a lathe if you only want to do a few bits.

 

"Not sure if it is any help but the sort of lathe I have used had a cutting bit as part of it. That was pretty easy to use and you just turn the wheels to move the cutting bit. You could also set-up the machine to move the bit itself to get nice constant movement."

sounds interesting , I've only seen the types with separate tools.

I'm not terribly convinced by the drill conversion types. I think i'd soon burn my drill out!!

thanks Simon.

David

 

I think what siMOn describes is the same as what I used in college. I think we were given a deMOnstration and some sturn words of warnign then let loose in under an hour.

Goggles and comMOn sense should do. The only "injury" I got was a small metal splinter when cleaning up after!

Maybe enroll on a college evening course or such?

 

"Goggles and comMOn sense should do"

I think so.

I think my people are being a little overly concerned.... unless any one tells me diffreently.

i've no doiubt an evening class would get results maybe quicker but thats just practice.

Cheers.

 

how many metalwork/ woodwork teachers do you know with 'bits' missing.

My advice would be get some training, presenting a tool at the wrong angle to a spinning piece of work, or not blocking it down correctly in small steps can be a recipie for disaster.

nightclasses would seem an excellent idea.

(son of a time served cabinet maker)

 

1) Don't even turn the wall switch on unless you've got your safety goggles/glasses on would be the single most important bit of advice.

2) No dangly jewelery, rings , loose clothing, hair,etc.

Whilst operating a drilling machine in a factory at the age of 16 , i once got pulled into the machne after i took my eye off the ball for just a second, i was blowing the swarf away using an airline and the drill (13mm dia) grabbed hold of my loose overall cuff and pulled me in upto my shoulder, ripping the sleeve of my overalls off completely and pulling my tee-shirt off my back through the missing overall arm hole, Very scary i can tell you looking at a 3Hp geared electric motor that is trying to eat you !

I also once had my entire body weight dangling off my wedding ring whilst climbing down from an Aircraft cockpit ( Phantom F4 ) whilst in the Air Force. I've never worn a ring since.

no substitute for experience , eh ?

Be careful...

 

....perhapts puts a different complexion on it......

hey guys, just talking about inch +half oak supports here......not ornate chair legs.....?!

fair warning though.....

 

1) er, no...

2) I dont do jewelly. hair? (fighting to keep what i've got!! ...so, no, its short)

the 3 hp motor experience doesn't sound too pleasant.....nor dangling off your ring.

care is definately the order of the day, thank you.



thanks vm for the replies,


David

 

i don't know any metalwork/ woodwork teachers full stop!!

 

all the metalwork and woodwork teachers i ever saw at school had digits missing or similar.

i wasn't implying i was in some sort of 'club' for retired crafts teachers.

 

My old physics teacher had a glass eye I always thought that was kind of a cliché

 

hmmm.........makes the sort Simon describes sound the better option,

....keeps your fingers well out of harms way; expect it makes them dear though.


Bit more research needed!

 

Sounds like he DIDN'T use goggles.......not good.