Thread: Jointing with Latex dipped gloves

What I find depressing is that much of what is presented in those sorts of videos is presented as normal or acceptable practice.

to have the video ON and be operating a jointer with
1. no cutter guard
2. loose clothing
is not an example of happens, it's behaviour more than worthy of a Darwin award. It's just STUPID

In many ways I wish there were a way to have all videos showing such dangerous practices taken down.
And I say this with my own self interest at heart. The last thing any woody needs is for certain machines to be restricted because the ignorant don't want to know how to use them safely.

and to operate a table saw without a guard or riving knife is only excusable where the guard would get in the way -- which would normally only be when the blade is buried in the piece being cut.
And YES, I know US practice is to bin the guard within 30 seconds of unpacking the saw, and to set the blade height as low as possible -- which maximises the possibility of kick-back. But that's a whole other discussion.


as to latex tipped gloves.
I have no qualms about using them on a jointer, BUT
1. I use a bridge guard -- which means that my hands can't get into the cutter zone
2. I never push the very end of a board
3. for thin stock I use a push block to elevate my hands well above the knives

BTW, did I say I don't like the "pork chop" style of cutter cuard.

You should never wear gloves, have loose clothing or long untied hair while using any machinery or near moving belts, power feeds or conveyors PERIOD. No ifs or buts and anyone wearing same is waiting for severe injury. If your hands are that delicate you need to harden up. Better a splinter or two than lost fingers, hands, arms or life. Push sticks, safety guards, power feeds and feather boards were invented for a reason. To keep parts of the body that should never enter the cutting area away from danger.

Col.

I have been using close fitting gloves for 20+yrs and have never had a incident, close fitting gloves will make little difference if shove your hand into a cutting device of some kind
"If your hands are that delicate you need to harden up" not always an option

When exposed bare skin touches something it allows the nerves to react. Covered skin such as the wearing of gloves numbs or reduces that sensation allowing the operator to sometimes be unaware that danger is imminent. Gloves, loose clothing, loose hair etc.. can be caught or snagged on materials resulting in the operator being caught up, dragged in, pinched or jammed in moving equipment. In a proper working, safe environment these situations should be avoided.

I have been a qualified ships joiner since the 70s, been a woodwork teacher, apprentice supervisor and workshop supervisor and have carried out site safety audits in those years. It has always been common practice at every workplace I have been in not to expose yourself to the above dangers and any others where possible.

In my years I have seen some very nasty accidents and incidents due to the failure of following safe work practices and or lack of proper training or knowledge.

China, if you have done what you do for 20 plus years without incident then you are lucky but to advise others that it is acceptable, if you are, is not doing them any good.

I rarely chime in on the forums here but sometimes the red flag goes up.

If in real doubt to what I have written, do yourselves a favour and contact the workplace safety authorities in your states and ask them.

Regards
Col
Lara, Vic.

I am not giving advise and if what I said is taken as advise then it has been miss interpreted, I simply meant to make a statement of my experience, I have seen many accidents over the years. (A Cabinet Maker 40+years) I was involved with the development and testing of such gloves in a real world environment. Now I am giving advise they are safe to use providing adequate and appropriate safety precautions are observed as with any industrial situation.

Thanks all. As I thought, people recognise it is not 'best practice ', but can see some advantages in the use of gloves.
I guess I should caveat all of this with, if your not following the manual then you are taking a real risk, tread carefully!