Thank you Shabee for your concern, and I share your views that anyone buying a lathe and using it with no idea of what they are doing needs to take care. But I wonder how many 'idiots' are likely to buy a lathe in the first place ... maybe a few but I suspect that most buyers are wise enough to appreciate the dangers simply due to their experience with other walks of life. I am 'later in life' and have had no lathe training. At school is was woodwork making a pipe rack. Metal work was a non subject. I do, however, have what I consider to be a good engineering instinct gained from being pretty self reliant and self taught in pedal cycle engineering and car repairs etc from a very early age ... largely through necessity and having no cash to pay other people. I do not consider myself unusual amongst those 'later in life' simply because many in our generation were brought up to 'make and mend' ... an attitude sadly lacking in the younger generation. As to experienced people being unsafe, I sometimes wince at watching some so called professionals working. Classic cases are construction workers using cutting discs for steel or concrete but not wearing any protective equipment at all ... no gloves, no safety goggles etc. Complacency? Maybe but maybe it is a lack of common sense or a lack of an appreciation of the dangers.Originally Posted by shabee
Have I made mistakes... of course I have, a memorable case was e.g. a spring guide and taking just a bit too much off on the final run. Have I been injured? Yes, I have drawn blood but I must say it was within a few minutes of putting my lathe on the bench ... I nicked myself on a sharp edge on the bed. If only the edges had been finished properly!
So, safety first but I don't think all old timers are accidents waiting to happen.
Cheers, Phil
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