Manual lathes can seem dangerous, things spin and guards are often non-existent. They are much safer to operate than they first appear if you follow basic safety guidelines.
The above video is a lesson from my manual lathe mini mini-apprenticeship course available here
Manual lathe health and safety
As we don't have a metal door and bullet-proof safety glass between us and the spinny things on a manual lathe, keeping all your fingers and arms is the number one priority.
Ever had a drill break and it hit the door of your CNC machine? That would be extreamely serious on a manual machine, lets take a look at some basic safety tips to ensure you leave the workshop on one piece.
If you have ever seen the Russian video of a guy getting ripped apart on a manual lathe, then you know why long sleeves are a huge no-no.
But this doesn't mean you need to be scared of the manual lathe; with correct safety measures, you will still be turning with all your bits the day you retire.
Correct PPE is a must; it's non-negotiable.
Never turn the spindle on unless you have glasses, boots, no long sleeves, no jewelry, and are using any guards that are provided, and keep your face away from the chuck.
Never take your hand off the chuck key unless it's in its place of storage.
Whether it is on the headstock of the machine or a bench, when you pick it up, it stays in your hand until it's back in its place. This is the easiest way to ensure that you don't leave it in the chuck.
It's not just the chuck that spins.
Below your belt is the lead screw; some machines have covers, some don't. This rotates so you can engage the feed lever. Always be aware it's there.
Never reach over the chuck while it is rotating.
We might be tempted to grab that Allen key or micrometer that we left on top of the machine (don't leave your measuring equipment there; it gets hot and can affect accuracy). Don't do that.
Ensure the stock bar is not overhanging from the back of the spindle.
I've seen this happen more than once; a friend managed to grind a channel in the floor of the workshop when the bar bent at speed and turned into a very dangerous fan.
He was lucky the machine mounts held, or the machine would have flipped over on top of him.
Polishing should never be done.
I was taught to do this during my apprenticeship, but these days it's generally regarded as a dangerous technique. It's super easy for the emery cloth to catch and drag your hand into the workpiece, the same as filing a radius.
Never use fingers to remove swarf.
That stuff is razor-sharp.
Never wear gloves.
A foreman once told me to wear gloves on a lathe 'for safety.' I quit that position right there and then. Gloves catch, even thin latex/nitrile gloves. (You shouldn't wear latex gloves at all due to the way the material breaks down with coolant and the possibility of a reaction to the material.)
Whether you are a seasoned machinist or use a lathe in your home workshop, following these basic safety tips will ensure you keep all your limbs and fingers.
