17.4.2 Lathe Safety
Follow these safety guidelines when working with wood lathes:
- Examine wood for knots and other defects before placing it in the lathe.
- Ensure that glued materials are set before placing them in the lathe.
- Before turning the lathe on, slowly turn rough materials a few times to ensure they will clear the tool rest.
- Keep hands off the chuck rim when the lathe is moving.
- Hold all wood cutting tools firmly with two hands.
- Start all jobs at the lowest speed. Ensure that materials are in a cylindrical form before advancing to higher speeds. Never turn large diameter materials at a high speed.
- Firmly screw faceplate work to the faceplate. Take care to avoid cutting too deep and hitting the screws.
- Remove the “T” rest when sanding or polishing.
Follow these safety guidelines when working with metal lathes:
- Make sure that all gear and belt guards are in place.
- Never leave a chuck wrench in a chuck.
- Keep your hands off chuck rims when a lathe is in operation.
- Do not attempt to screw the chuck onto the lathe spindle with the power on, as it may get cross-threaded and cause injury. Stop the machine, place a board under the chuck, and then screw on by hand.
- Steady rests should be properly adjusted to conform with the material being worked on.
- When filing work in a lathe, always face the head stock and chuck.
- See that tailstock, toolholder, and work are properly clamped before turning on power.
- Never attempt to adjust a tool while the lathe is running.
- Never apply a wrench to revolving work or parts.
- Always use a brush to remove chips; never your hands.
- When possible, use pipe sleeves to cover work protruding from the end of the lathe.
- Before removing your work from the lathe, remove the tool bit.