Thread: Lathe chuck guard? Useful or PITA?

I had thought that they appeared dilettante-esque until I fooled around turning with a 2500 rpm spindle speed. Akin to using an angle grinder without a guard and, for me, another reason to slow down. With a 4 thou max, I'd opt for one. How long the plastic survives and how obtainable replacements are is another thing.

Gregory, I mean't no offence in my response to your arborist comment. It was the first thing that came to mind when I had ceased laughing.

Sincerely yours
BT

Well I can think of better things to spend $150 on...... but my garage is a pig sty. I've read of one guy that made one, he says polycarbonate is a waste of time, in no time you cant see through it anyway. I've thought about cutting the bottom off a 20l bucket.

Stuart

The Hembrug would be in good company

I noticed the other day that Hares & Forbes also sell one, it has a switch as well.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=G610#

Originally Posted by Com_VC

I noticed the other day that Hares & Forbes also sell one, it has a switch as well.

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=G610#

Now that I dont hate!
Stuart

Wouldn't they be better mounted on the saddle rather than the headstock? Some turning takes place further than 6 inches from the chuck. Maybe just an ignorant observation on my behalf.

I think they are primarily designed to stop you leaving the key in the chuck, personally I put them in the PITA category.

How do you see what you are doing through a solid metal guard?

Turn a bit, stop, lift up the guard, close the guard, turn a bit, stop, lift up the guard, ............

That would certainly be a PITA.

Ken

Originally Posted by Gavin Newman

I think they are primarily designed to stop you leaving the key in the chuck, personally I put them in the PITA category.

If thats what he wants it for. I'd be using the "spring on the chuck key"

Ken they dont normally come far past the face of the chuck, but you make a good point if a face plate, between centres or collet chuck were being used.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

I had thought that they appeared dilettante-esque until I fooled around turning with a 2500 rpm spindle speed. Akin to using an angle grinder without a guard and, for me, another reason to slow down. With a 4 thou max, I'd opt for one. How long the plastic survives and how obtainable replacements are is another thing.

Gregory, I mean't no offence in my response to your arborist comment. It was the first thing that came to mind when I had ceased laughing.

Sincerely yours
BT

Geez, I thought your comment was funny. And accurate. I had to view from afar in case they invited me to rappel up the tree and help out. I was humming "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK" though in the vain hopes that my wife would be impressed with my (in reserve) prowess with a chainsaw and axe. She alas knows that my ineptitude is boundless.

GQ

Thanks Greg.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

I had thought that they appeared dilettante-esque until I fooled around turning with a 2500 rpm spindle speed.

Except being plastic it would melt if you were turning at that speed..

I think the only use for a chuck guard is to make sure the key is not in the chuck at start up..

When the centre bought the lathes we have now,they were not fitted with chuck guards which is the educational standard-its a long story.

I can tell you from bitter experience that the following is possible,

• You can give a student two hours of one on one instruction about the lathe and particularly lathe key safety,
• You can give a student (as part of the group) a session of lathe safety theory emphasising lathe key safety.
• You can give the student (with the rest of the class) a group demonstration highlighting the need to observe lathe key safety.
• You can put safety signs on every machine which should be read before every use and mention lathe key safety just after safety glasses.

The same student having the concentration span of a knat,who could see ,hear and experience all of your your training input can ,not hear, ignore the lot, and still manage to crush his hand against between key and bedway.

Do I believe chuck safety guards are a pain? - NOPE!
Thanks Stustoys for highlighting those ,I have been looking for them for a while now.

Grahame

I wouldnt buy one i think if i had a lathe with one on it i would get rid of it, seems like it would be more of a pain, not hard to remember to take the chuck key out.