Mini Lathe Safety
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Copyright 2000 by Frank J. Hoose, Jr. Home
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Lathe Safety
YOU are responsible for your own safety and proper machine operation.
As small as it is, the mini lathe, like any power tool, can be dangerous if used improperly. If you are
new to metal working, get in the habit right from the start of rigorously following good safety
practices. Here are some tips:
Always wear eye protection - preferably industrial quality safety glasses with side-shields. The lathe
can throw off sharp, hot metal chips at considerable speed as well as spin off spirals of metal that can
be quite hazardous. Don't take chances with your eyes.
Wear short sleeve shirts, if possible, or shirts with snugly fitting cuffs if long sleeve. Loose sleeves can
catch on rotating work and quickly pull your hand or arm into harm's way.
Wear shoes - preferably leather work shoes - to protect your feet from sharp metal chips on the shop
floor and from tools and chunks of metal that may get dropped.
Remove wrist watches, necklaces, chains and other jewelry. It's a good idea even to remove your
wedding ring since it can catch on rotating work and severely damage your ring finger and hand.
Tie back long hair so it can't get caught in the rotating work. Think about what happens to your face if
your hair gets entangled.
Always double check to make sure your work is securely clamped in the chuck or between centers
before starting the lathe. Start the lathe at low speed and increase the speed gradually.
Get in the habit of removing the chuck key immediately after use. Some users recommend never
removing your hand from the chuck key when it is in the chuck. The chuck key can be a lethal
projectile if the lathe is started with the chuck key in the chuck.
Keep your fingers clear of the rotating work and cutting tools. This sounds obvious, but I am often
tempted to break away metal spirals as they form at the cutting tool.
Avoid reaching over the spinning chuck. For filing operations, hold the tang end of the file in your left
hand so that your hand and arm are not above the spinning chuck.
Never use a file with a bare tang - the tang could be forced back into your wrist or palm. Inexpensive
wooden handles are readily available for common file sizes.
Make sure you have an up-to-date tetanus shot. Booster shots are good for up to ten years. Working
with metal on a regular basis, it is likely that you will get many small cuts and occasionally a deep cut
or puncture that could put you at risk for a tetanus infection.
While actively participating in the 7x10 interest group over several years I have not heard of any
serious injuries caused by the 7x lathes, but there have been a few close calls. With proper
precautions and forethought you should be able to enjoy a lifetime of safe machining.
