Thread: gloves for metalworking?

Originally Posted by pipeclay

No real need in explaining potential dangers that may result.

Yes there is. Personally I can't see how a tight fitting glove is any more likely to get caught in a grinding wheel (of any size) than bare skin. I'm with Dean- I really want to know how wearing gloves on a grinder is dangerous. Please explain.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

If you have never opperated a large grinder you probably would have no idea.
No real need in explaining potential dangers that may result.
people who have experience with large grinders would allready be aware.

Pipeclay, I find that response condescending and unhelpful.

A quick Google search reveals confusion within industry over gloves with bench grinders. I found three websites offering the following advice:

Gloves MUST be worn when operating a bench grinder,
NEVER wear gloves when operating a bench grinder, and
CONSIDER not wearing gloves when operating a bench grinder.

Like Dean, I suspect there's a 'lowest common denominator' effect in the "never wear gloves" advice. I mean there's gloves and there's gloves. Obviously bulky leather gloves are more likely to catch on a rotating device and are not going to rip if they do. Result: your hand comes off. Thin, skin-tight gloves are less likely to catch and will rip without removing a hand.

How many of the "golden rules" we were taught in our training decades ago have been made invalid by technology? Most are probably still valid today, but I suspect a few need revisiting.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

If you have never opperated a large grinder you probably would have no idea.
No real need in explaining potential dangers that may result.
people who have experience with large grinders would allready be aware.

The only danger would be if the grinding rest wasn't properly adjusted which would allow the glove to get dragged between it and the wheel. That has nothing to do with wearing gloves. It has more to do with poor set-up.

Phil

Originally Posted by Bryan

Pipeclay, I find that response condescending and unhelpful.

Agree, this is an amateur forum where most of us are trying to share ideas and information. Given the importance of safety, those here who consider they know it all already may like to share some of that knowledge

Very few (any?) members here would have a "large" grinder at home, nor do I believe that safety knowledge is automatically bestowed upon a purchaser of such a machine. I too would like to know what is the specific risk with a bench grinder and wearing gloves. As mentioned above, a grinder is one of the few machines I do use gloves with, I have both a linisher and buffing wheel on my grinders, and both can cause the work to become quite hot in use. If there is a significant risk in doing so I would certainly like to be made aware of it.

Pete

I wear gloves for sheetmetal work, and such.
mechanics style gloves mostly,
and i rip the hell out of them constantly, but hey they take 70% of the cuts and damage, so big whoop,

And i occasionally wear gloves while operating my dillpress, thats what the fancy table and vice is for right? not just for precision or to look at?
to keep my hands away from the shiney spinning sharp thing.

I use them while using various hand held machines too,
especially when it comes to wire wheels on the drill or grinders, anyone who has used wire wheels and had straight and/or knotted lengths fly off and penetrate your hands and arms, you know what im talking bout,
gloves also dull down the vibration so i dont have to sit around for half an hour waiting for the tingling to go away.

I have a few pairs of those dipped ninja style gloves,
too hot to wear them at the moment though,
plus they are bright green, of all colours

Glad to be of help.

Originally Posted by Pete F

I too would like to know what is the specific risk with a bench grinder and wearing gloves.

The other Phil hit on it. Its the risk of the glove getting picked up between the wheel and the rest. You should have the rest gap adjusted to minimum, but on old style gloves that have a stitched seam. If you managed to get some glove stuck in the gap, if it grabs a seam as it gets thicker it will wedge and pull your finger in, jamming it between the wheel and the rest.

One of the few industrial accidents I’ve been right at when it happened, years ago. Apprenticeship days. We had a big double ended pedestal grinder, one end had a 3 foot sanding disc. The glued on type. The rest would have been in good adjustment.

Little Greek bloke by the name of Mick. That loose part on the end of each finger, that got in the gap, just enough to drag a bit in, and then it gathered the seam. Wedged it in. Bang. De-gloved his finger, ended up having it amputated.

A bare hand, he would have probably got an abrasion burn, if he had touched the wheel, but no risk of being pulled in.

These newer better fitting gloves, are probably better in that respect, as they don’t have heavy seams.

I tend not to use them, but I’m not fanatical about it.

Regards Phil.

Thanks Phil(s) I can envisage that happening. As you say Phil, with the newer style of gloves maybe the possibility isn't as great. I don't use the grinder wheel all that much actually, far more the linisher and buff, neither of which has a rest so hopefully that reduces the opportunity for that type of accident.

Pete

put it this way. you've spent your whole life using your hands and you know EXACTLY where every finger tip is, you have a feel for things. put a glove on and you lose that feel for where your fingertips are.

everybody says "oh im keeping my hands away from the chuck blah blah blah" but for me, any rotating mechanical equipment, bare hands all the way and tight fitting clothing. i have worked in 4 machine shops ( most were work experience, one is my current job as a fitter and machinist) and every single one had said no gloves on lathes, millers, bench grinders and drills. both my tafe workshops have the same rule, my old school workshop had the same rule.

the picture i posted may not be due to gloves, but i put it up to scare us all about the dangers of what machines we use ( seeing as the lathe i use at work is the same size as in the picture )

oldneweng, do you mean whats the risk with an offhand grinder or a surface grinder?

and about the wheel to tool rest distance, whether its 0.5 mm or 100mm, do you really think the 1hp electric motor cares about what gets shoved through what gap with what gloves you have on, nope it just keeps spinning, just like in the case witht he poor fella on the lathe in that picture i posted.

you guys can do what you want, but look at bluescope steel. you get a warning for walking down stairs without holding the railing. but then again, their safety reputation is now one of the best in industry, even tafe is now trying to up its safety standards to a bluescope level. their employees have to wear gloves doing everything, but never on rotating or moving equipment.

this is just the opinion of a first year apprentice

Originally Posted by pipeclay

If you have never opperated a large grinder you probably would have no idea.
No real need in explaining potential dangers that may result.
people who have experience with large grinders would allready be aware.

What a load of crap!! I've been wearing gloves for over 30 years due to skin problems and have never even come close to having any mishaps. Yes I've operated large grinders with wide gapped rests and plenty of other "non safe" machines. But the moral of the story is to "BE AWARE" of your working environment.

Just curious as to which part is or might be crap.
Is it if you have never opperated a large grinder you would probably have no idea.
Or might it be that people with experience with large grinders would allready be aware.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

Just curious as to which part is or might be crap.
Is it if you have never opperated a large grinder you would probably have no idea.
Or might it be that people with experience with large grinders would allready be aware.

Hmm, a bit of play on words. I take your point. You win. !!

Seems to be a lot of people who are unaware of where their fingers are going. I don't have any problem myself. Thanks for the info re grinder safety for those who deigned to reply. As for pipeclay, does a 24inch by 12inch centreless grinder count as a large one?

I am talking in general about using gloves on my lathe where my hand does not go within 6inches of the chuck, usually more. I trust myself to be careful. Obviously lots out there who don't.

Companies have strict rules in place for a reason. That lowest common denominator I keep talking about. They have to. They cannot do anything else. At the end of the day tho safety is in the hands of the individual. I am sure most of you have heard that at safety training. The reason for this is that rules cannot cover every eventuality and sometimes you have to use what keeps your ears apart.

If anyone would like my split thumb from working without gloves today you are welcome to it. Another round of bandaids, moisturiser etc etc. By the way, don't you think three bandaids (only way I can keep them on with all the water at work) reduces your sensitivity. At least you can take gloves off when needed. This time last year I had a split in my thumb that lasted in total over a year before total healing. Anyone is welcome to them!

At least I think about my safety instead of blindly following convention such as "it is dangerous to wear gloves around a lathe".

Dean