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Got clocked by my gouge.

Bill Wyko

Bill Wyko

Joined
Nov 8, 2011
Messages
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Location
Tucson AZ
An unusual chain of events happened the other night. I had my jumbo jaws on the lathe and it was spinning away. I reach across to the tool rack I have mounted to the wall behind my lathe, not a reach by any means. When I brought the tool towards me, the butt of the tool caught one of the rubber bumpers and sent the tail end of the tool into my jaw under my shield. Felt like someone hit me with a bat. After a few choice words I can't write here, I just had to laugh. Although it could have been a terrible accident and it's no laughing matter, I thought it was funny that my lathe almost threw a knock out punch. Of course in the future I'll be much more attentive and turn the lathe off when necessary. Another one of those safety things to watch out for. 🙂 Have a great day and be careful.
 
And that is why I didn't put a tool rack so that I would have to reach across a lathe to get a tool. This accident serves as a reminder of why we should stop the lathe whenever you are doing anything other than cutting wood.

If this had happened to me, I would be doing a lot of thinking, but no laughing (I don't laugh at people doing dumb things, especially if it is me 😱 ).
 
I have a lathe related injury to confess as well. I was walking near my lathe cleaning up the shop and caught my tool rest in the ribs. This was due to 1) being inattentive and 2) leaving the toolrest locked and jutting out into my work space. In the future, I will make sure to push my toolrest back and keep it unlocked when not in use.
 
A safety issue I always make is to keep your eye on the tool at all times, even if it is not engaged with the wood. Most common accident similar to yours is turning the inside, looking away as you remove the tool, bowl still spinning, and CATCH on the rim. Pretty exciting.

robo hippy
 
robo hippy said:
A safety issue I always make is to keep your eye on the tool at all times, even if it is not engaged with the wood. Most common accident similar to yours is turning the inside, looking away as you remove the tool, bowl still spinning, and CATCH on the rim. Pretty exciting.

robo hippy
Click to expand...


Something very similar to robo's example is withdrawing a parting tool from the slot......my attention is intense when doing this. If you don't know why, then eventually you will probably find out for yourself! 😱

ooc
 
After working in heavy industry for 36 years and the schooling in Safety has paid off many times. I have a neighbor, when we work together on a project, commits that I am always praticing Safey. I replied that after that long it comes just breathing, you do it without thinkg about it. But every now and then I still have the dum moments. As I taught and live by even when I ride my motorcycle- "Expect the unexpected."
 
Parting tool

odie said:
Something very similar to robo's example is withdrawing a parting tool from the slot......my attention is intense when doing this. If you don't know why, then eventually you will probably find out for yourself! 😱

ooc
Click to expand...
Been there, done that😱 Gretch
 
Oops

One mistake I have often seen others make is presenting the tool to the tool rest and making accidental contact with the turning wood without being ready for such contact. Two weeks ago I made that mistake for the first time during a demo at the SOFA Chicago art show (Sculptural Objects and Functional Art). Thankfully it was a small oops and not a big one, but unexpected and embarrassing either way. It reminded me that safely operating a lathe and multi-tasking are not a good combination.
 
egsiegel said:
That is why I never clean my shop...too dangerous. (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it)
Click to expand...

I am going to use this next time the wife wanders into the shop and comments on how messy it is
 
I sweep the floor once a week or more if I turn a piece that gives off a lot of shavings. I satnd on rubber mats and the pile of shavings makes me want to trip over my own feet. Otherwise I clean the shop once a year when I host the local wood worknig club. Takes a day or two to clean then when Friday rolls around, I don't know what to do for the meeting is the next day. As soon as the meeting is over and everyone has left I get busy making shavings and saw dust. 😀
Egsiegel- when I read your reply, I almost fell out of the chair laughing. "Life is too short not to pass a good time.":cool2:
 
Another cleaning accident. I was cleaning behind my lathe and there isn't much room between the lathe and the garage door. I bent down to get the dustcollector closer to the legs and as I raised up hit my head on the Banjo of my Powermatic. Let me tell you I have a hard head but this time the lathe won.
 
john lucas said:
Another cleaning accident. I was cleaning behind my lathe and there isn't much room between the lathe and the garage door. I bent down to get the dustcollector closer to the legs and as I raised up hit my head on the Banjo of my Powermatic.
Let me tell you I have a hard head but this time the lathe won.
Click to expand...

does this mean that your lathe were damage beyond repair by your head ? just kidding , glad that you are okay
 
We had a guy reach over the metal lathe at work. His shirt got caught in it and mess him up pretty good. I've seen pictures of a guy that lost his arm for the same reason. That was also a metal lathe. I'm guessing in some cases that those have some serious horse power while running on three phase. Glad you're ok!
 
I was told of an incident where a lady leaned over a metal lathe. It caught her hair and completely scalped her. Fortunately, surgery was able to reattach the tissue and hair. Can't imagine working with a lathe and not having some sort of hair net or hat.
I turn off the lathe if I have to work around it. Tools are kept within reach but not behind or over the lathe.
 
Bill Wyko said:
...I reach across to the tool rack I have mounted to the wall behind my lathe...
Click to expand...

In my view, that is the cause of the accident. While we can all be careful, and keep our eyes, clothes and arms away from danger, the mere fact that you need to reach over the lathe to swap tools is asking for trouble.

I have a shelf behind my lathe that I do store things on...but they are all things that are used when the lathe is off, such as additional chucks, tail stocks, face plates, etc. Turning tools are stored on a rack to my left.
 
Believe me, if I had somewhere else I could put the tools I would. Space is like gold in my little shop. 12'x20' with the tools of a full cabinet shop. In the end I have 2- 4 foot squares to stand in. Something told me when I was building it, I should have gone bigger. 🙁 City says no though.
 
Bill Wyko said:
Believe me, if I had somewhere else I could put the tools I would. Space is like gold in my little shop. 12'x20' with the tools of a full cabinet shop. In the end I have 2- 4 foot squares to stand in. Something told me when I was building it, I should have gone bigger. 🙁 City says no though.
Click to expand...

Then may I suggest you put a sign up on your tool rack that says - turn lathe off before reaching for tools - so you see it everytime ...
 
I just rack the tools I use most at the tail end, beyond the average bowl. The one-trick ponies can gather shavings and splatter in the no-reach area. I stop the rotation often, so there are lots of opportunities to pick a new tool and put the one in use in the shavings where it can cut me when I search for it later, as the switch is also down there .

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d160/GoodOnesGone/Forged-Peel-Long-View.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bill Wyko said:
Believe me, if I had somewhere else I could put the tools I would. Space is like gold in my little shop. 12'x20' with the tools of a full cabinet shop. In the end I have 2- 4 foot squares to stand in. Something told me when I was building it, I should have gone bigger. 🙁 City says no though.
Click to expand...

CSUSA has a product called the Tool Mule, and you might be a good candidate for something like this. At least you wouldn't have to lean you body to get a tool........

There is a video there, too.......click:

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Lathe_Accessories___Tool_Mule_Modular_Workstation?Args=


ooc
 
Odie,
Behind the lathe rack is okay when machines are off.

You need a better location for the few tools you use for a given project.
Try one of the small folding sawhorses, they make a nice table for tools and the dog holes will hold many tools.
It will take a week to learn the new locations but it will be a good habit.

Al
 
valuable lessons

I find the safety discussions quite helpful. This is my most important subject, and I relate to the near misses and mistakes. Also the helpful suggestions.

Graeme Priddle in a class made a big deal about not "waving the gouges" and paying close attention when you have it in your hands. He pointed out that many good pieces are wrecked by careless nicks and catches caused by just being sloppy and careless. I have done this. Especially when I have been at for 3 or 4 hours and getting tired. Ever since, I have taken it to heart.

Glad you were not hurt seriously, and thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
May save me from making a similar boo boo.

To follow up on Al's comments, I made a simple wood tool holder that attached next to my headstock just for the tools I am using on the piece. I keep 2 or 3 sharpened bowl gouges, and what ever else I am using. Close, and easy and not in the way.

Ed
 
The way my shop is set up, there's a window behind my lathe and to the left of it is a tool rack with a pocket door for additional tools. It slides out over the window. I'll have to take a few pics to show the layout. Bottom line is now, turn off the lathe before reaching for a tool. Also gives me pause to see how the project is looking before using another tool. On a different subject, on my table saw I traced my hands on both sides of the blade with a sharpie. Then drew a line through the hand prints which serves as a reminder that any piece of wood that requires pushing in this area must be done with a push stick. Like many of us, we become as comfortable with a spinning blade as we are holding hands with a loved one. Difference is, the blade is sharp, spinning and ready to wreck your life.
 
hockenbery said:
Odie,
Behind the lathe rack is okay when machines are off.

You need a better location for the few tools you use for a given project.
Try one of the small folding sawhorses, they make a nice table for tools and the dog holes will hold many tools.
It will take a week to learn the new locations but it will be a good habit.

Al
Click to expand...

AL......Yes, correct you are. Best to shut down the lathe! Your sawhorse idea is a good suggestion, here for Bill Wyco.....those little folding work tables would work well for this, too.....but, that may be the same item you're suggesting......

For myself, all tools in use are behind me......IE: I'm between the lathe and the tools, so I'm reaching in the opposite direction from the lathe. There are a few items on the wall behind the lathe, but always shut the lathe down when getting at those things.

ooc
 
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