Equipment/WoodLathe
Class Red equipment: Do not use without specific training.
(More about equipment classes)
Contents
Summary
We have a woodworking lathe kindly donated to us on indefinite loan by Kim Spence-Jones. It is a quality machine in fair condition but it is capable of causing severe injury so it must only be used by those trained to operate it safely. The 'owners' are responsible for training new users and ensuring that it is maintained in a safe condition.
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Using the woodworking lathe
The lathe is a wood turning lathe capable of machining circular cuts in material up to about 30cm (12 inches) in diameter for bowls (20cm for spindles) and about 125cm (4') long. The lathe is solidly built so with care excellent results can be obtained. We currently have few lathe tools, which should allow most basic woodworking operations to be undertaken.
This lathe has five speeds, it cannot be run in reverse.
Safety
To achieve real safety operator attitude is key. Trying to achieve unrealistic goals in limited time is the prime cause of accidents. Please take the time to plan your work and gain sufficient knowledge to perform it safely.
Dust from many woods can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, and some woods have been identified as carcenogenic. There is a book in the library ("Wood for Wood Turners" by Mark Baker) which documents possible health risks for 150 different woods.
The Key hazards are: • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be worn GLASSES ARE MANDATORY! • Point of operation – Contact with the tool or cuter head may occur. • Contact with moving parts, such as the power transmission, chucks, spindles, and the workpiece. • Getting loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair caught in rotating parts: Entanglement is a serious hazard on a lathe. Loose clothes or long hair can become entangled around the rotating parts of the lathe pulling the operator into the cutter or rotating stock resulting in significant injury. • Being struck by flying chips or wood splinters thrown by the cutting action. • Being struck by a workpiece that has not been adequately secured in the lathe or is oversized or unbalanced. • Inhalation of dust and particles. • Dropping objects on foot.
• A visual pre-operation inspection should be done prior to use: - Remove chuck keys, adjusting wrenches and knockout bars. Form a habit of checking for these before turning on the lathe. - Cord should be checked for cracks or worn areas. Remove from operation if cord is damaged or if plug does not have proper grounding (3-prong). - Make sure there is enough tension in the belt
Owners
The owners are experienced users who have volunteered to ensure members know how to safely operate the lathe before they become approved users. Their next responsibility is to ensure the lathe is in a safe usable condition. Time permitting, they will advise users on how to make best use of the lathe.
So far the owners are;
- Kim Spence-Jones
- Matt Greenwood (Matt the Carpenter)
- Louis Kovalevsky
- Cadu Miceli
- Dan Tidhar
- Hsin-Ling Liang
You can contact the owner this address woodlathe@makespace.org
Training
THE LATHE IS PROVISONALLY APPROVED ONLY FOR USE BY OWNERS. Training material has not yet been created.
THE LATHE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. ONLY APPROVED OPERATORS ARE PERMITTED TO USE IT.
To get the required training to become an approved operator please contact one of the owners.
The owners will help users make the best use of the lathe but it must be emphasised that learning to take full advantage of all the capabilities of it takes months of practice. The owners have limited time so members will need to take responsibility for much of their own training. More details about the training can be found at
Operating Precautions • Do not use stock/blank that has splits, cracks, or knots. • Allow glued joints to dry before working on stock/blank. • Hold tools firmly in both hands. • Keep all cutting tools, blades and cutters sharp for the best performance. (no sharpening necessary with the EasyTools we bought last year) • Keep the EasyTools horizontal, other tools shouldn’t be kept horizontal. • Make sure the tool rest is set close to the stock. •Work only in the area covered by the tool rest; •do not attempt to support the tool with your hands. •Adjust the tool rest when the lathe is not running. • Check that all locking devices on the tailstock and tool rest assembly (rest and base) are tight before operating the lathe. • Make sure the blank is securely fastened. • Rotate your workpiece by hand to make sure it clears the tool rest and bed before turning the lathe on. Be certain that the workpiece turns freely and is firmly mounted. • ALWAYS CHECK THE SPEED OF THE LATHE BEFORE TURNING IT ON. Use slower speeds for larger diameters or rough pieces, and higher speeds for smaller diameters and pieces that are balanced. • Always start a piece at a slower speed until the workpiece is balanced. If the lathe is shaking or vibrating, lower the speed. If the workpiece vibrates, always stop the machine to check the reason. • Never make any adjustments while the lathe is turning. Never adjust the tool rest or tailstock while the lathe is turning.
Instructions
Safety Advice
American Association of Woodturners' Safety Advice
Useful Links
More to be detailed
Maintenance
To be detailed
Peripheral tools and accessories
Photo-list of current Woodworking lathe accessories.
Running the lathe will require many accessories, a suggested list will be developed
