| Wood turning is a potentially dangerous activity. It is | | | | person and your surroundings for any other items |
| your responsibility to make sure you are properly | | | | that may be accidentally entangled. |
| educated in all aspects of wood turning and to follow | | | | 6. Check your owner/operators manual for proper |
| safety guidelines and manufacturers | | | | speed recommendations. If you cannot find |
| recommendations regarding the proper use of | | | | recommended speeds, please seek the advise of a |
| product to ensure your safety. Visit the | | | | professional prior to operating the lathe. Use slower |
| Woodworking Plans Website pages for more | | | | speeds for larger diameter or out of balance work. |
| woodworking articles. Here are the most important | | | | NEVER start the lathe before checking to make sure |
| wood turning safety guidelines: | | | | the lathe speed setting is correct for the size of |
| 1. Safe and effective use of a wood lathe requires | | | | work to be turned. If excess vibration or shaking |
| study and knowledge of proper machine operation, | | | | occurs, stop the lathe and determine the cause |
| tool use and correct turning techniques. It is your | | | | before proceeding. |
| responsibility to read and follow all warning labels and | | | | 7. Prior to starting the lathe, rotate the work piece |
| owners/operators manuals supplied on or with | | | | by hand to make sure that it clears the tool rest |
| machinery, chucks, tools and other products. It is | | | | support and lathe bed. Also, make certain that all |
| your responsibility to become properly educated in all | | | | clamping devices are locked and that the tailstock is |
| aspects of woodturning prior to turning wood. | | | | proper seated against the work. |
| 2. Always wear a full-face shield at all times. Shop | | | | 8. Be sure the work piece is securely mounted and is |
| Safety glasses alone are not sufficient protection | | | | free of imperfections or substandard glue joints that |
| from flying debris. | | | | may result in the work piece separating or flying |
| 3. Exposure to wood dust can be harmful to your | | | | apart. |
| respiratory system. Always use a proper dust mask | | | | 9. Make certain that the belt guard and/or control and |
| or air filtration helmet in addition to adequate | | | | motor covers are is in place. Check to make sure all |
| ventilation. | | | | tightening handles are properly tightened. |
| 4. Always wear adequate hearing protection. | | | | 10. Make sure that the tool is resting on the tool rest |
| Long-term exposure to noise can damage hearing. | | | | before beginning the cut. Always run the lathe at |
| 5. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, jewelry or any | | | | slow speeds while making roughing cuts and NEVER |
| objects that dangle as they may become entangled | | | | use a roughing gouge on a bowl. Learn more Wood |
| in the lathe. Always tie back long hair. Check your | | | | Turning articles here. |