Thread: Providence warning

Originally Posted by Phily

100%!
it was a piece of redgum with some very nice fiddleback. I've looked at the bits a few times to see if I missed anything. But nothing stands out.

As they say "$hit happens."

With some of my failures it has taken a while to fully understand what really happened.

Like the times I kept blowing up the spindle on my laminated spinning tops. I couldn't for the life of me understand why a number of them failed when nearing completion of the turning. The shafts would simply shatter. Nothing different in the turning process to other tops. Then I went back through the entire process and finally identified that in one batch of blanks I was aiming to get the "perfect" glue joint. The glue was also a "new" glue, a "fast grab" PVA that many segmenters prefer. The combination of a nice tight fit of the components and the fast grab glue meant that some needed a little coercion to go together correctly. In the process I was torqueing the spindle shaft to the point that the grain was starting to loose its integrity. This of course didn't show up until the final cuts to finish the spindle.

Lucky you made it unscared, I always have full face shield for bowls, faceplate work. (free end turning)
I do get lax with spindle turning.
I have had split lips and chipped tooth and knocked to the floor.
Which isn't to bad for the amount of time at the lathe.
Be safe people and get the PPE and used it.

I had a similar scenario few months ago.. unfortunately I wasn't so lucky... Same ... red gum vase... Finished turning.. Finished sanding ...Finished applying wax... Lifted the face shield to turn off the machine ... Approached the switch with visor up.... BANG!!!! Vase exploded into 3 pieces. One end flew across the shed (about 10 mtrs) other end bounced off my fist and the lucky last aimed and hit me right on the nose.. End result... Broken nose with big laceration... Fully bruised fist like I've had a punch on with the wall.. blood everywhere.. etc... Not a pleasant sight...
About 8 stitches and nose correction later i was off shed duty for about a month or so...
So... On my first visitation to the shed after the accident I've done thorough check of what has happened..
1) internal crack inside timber which was not visible..
2) me lifting lid before stopping machine (although further analysis of that action led me to conclusion that even if I had a lid on the force of the impact would still break my nose so only saving would be laceration)

Fix... Bought better (harder) shield ... Looking at modifying lathe to move switch away from the stock end so I can operate it away from the danger (like vicmarc)
Change of attitude... Never.. EVER even think about approaching lathe while spinning without full face shield on regardless...
Also brought my old full face motorcycle helmet for stuff i deem too dangerous even for a face shield

Originally Posted by Prle77

Also brought my old full face motorcycle helmet for stuff i deem too dangerous even for a face shield

The problem with the MC helmet is they need air flow to prevent them fogging up in cold weather and stopping them from getting too hot even in just warm let alone hot weather.
A 3D face shield like an Armadillo won't quite be as good as a MC helmet but will provide significantly improved protection over a 2D shield.

Yep and that is exactly what I've got.. the Armadillo one.. The MC helmet is there for hmm special risky stuff... Hasn't been tested on a lathe but was definitely tested on a motorcycle crash and was very successful in that operation thus my incline for use in woodwork. I do agree regarding the airflow but the visor I have has anti fog layer which should help a bit.. its the heat I would be more worried of... Since I don't see myself moving that fast around the workshop to generate enough airflow

I see there is request for picture.. I do have some head shots but not sure whether it would be safe to put them on as they would belong to the gore category... and may make some hmmm not to feel well while viewing them... i should have the photo of the culprit who caused the damage ...if found I will post it..

Originally Posted by Prle77

Yep and that is exactly what I've got.. the Armadillo one.. The MC helmet is there for hmm special risky stuff... .

I'm intrigued as to what they might be.

If you post the injuries in the safety Forum you can tag it with a Gore warning in the title.

I'm a little concerned that you would consider a MC helmet sufficient for "special risky stuff." The idea is to change "special risky stuff" into safe to turn stuff.

Sorry to re-phrase it... the special risky stuff category does not mean literary I'm going to play dumb and do something stupid while relying on my providence or safety gear to keep me out of trouble..
Special risky stuff is determined by either.. a process where it usually goes..
hmm.. this thing might explode - can I make it safe yes / no ... If yes .. make it safe and use additional safety precautions such as in this case MC helmet... just to be on extra safety side.. if no.. then either dont do it / find alternative safer method of working with it...

In this occasion.. due to previous experience with red gum.. I will wear MC helmet every time I decide to turn it.. regardless... I am not thinking of doing risky stuff.. it is just... potential of damage.. ie.. turning large piece of wood.. regardless what it is.. every wood has a potential of falling to pieces either because of operator error or hidden cracks ... So my special risky stuff is.. if i get hit my the piece of such dimensions I do not believe that standard face shield would provide sufficient protection.. Plus I already have MC helmet... so it is not additional purchase or anything .. so why not utilize it????
I dont envisage using it often.. but hey.. its there.. so why not..

hope this clarifies my "special risky stuff category" classification..

You can't be too careful....

Got to admit I have used a motorcycle helmet before on some bigger turnings. I went for an open faced variety as well as safety glasses so fogging up was not an issue. Not overly concerned about a broken nose or jaw as they will heal in time. It was a broken brain that concerned me.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

You can't be too careful....

That is actually a picture of being too careful. Those long sleeves extend well past the wrist and hands! Now you know, safety is unsafe

As my feet are prettier than my face, I am more concerned with safety footwear!
And a very Merry Christmas and a SAFE and healthy New Year to all our contributors.

Gary H

ps: Phil - would you like some of your camphor laurel back? It's softer !!!

Originally Posted by Gary H

ps: Phil - would you like some of your camphor laurel back? It's softer !!!

Thanks Garry, I still have plenty �� seems that every timber has its hidden dangers, from toxic fumes (eg CL) through carcenagenic dusts to unpredictable shattering. I recently invested in a 3M full face respirator with hood. Makes me look like I've just stepped out of an alien spacecraft but so far is working a treat!

Originally Posted by Phily

I recently invested in a 3M full face respirator with hood. Makes me look like I've just stepped out of an alien spacecraft but so far is working a treat!

Me too. Expensive, but as you say, it works well.

Stay sharp!

Neil