Here's a good tip I picked up from a college wood design class - the table saw blade-changing wrench was on a short length of chain permanently fastened to the plug of the saw's power cord. It's a two-for-one measure: you have to unplug the saw to use the wrench, and you can't power up the saw with the wrench on the spindle. I did this in my shop on both my table saw and drill press. I think it's especially effective for the drill press chuck key. It's impossible to have a chuck key accident in my shop. The instructor for that class had a great way of talking about safety. He would refer to your "remaining fingers," as in "Don't use your remaining fingers as push sticks." Really helped the students understand how serious the potential dangers are.
Marc, I had two accidents this week that reminded me to study your recent safety videos. The cause of both accidents is that I have been tired due to illness, an upper respiratory infection that keeps me up coughing. I have been up since two this morning, to make my point. Both accidents happened around five, at the end of the day when I was most tired. Two days ago I broke off a tap, which was inexcusable because I was using a tapping head with a spiral flute tap. I just followed the DRO to hover over the last hole and plunged. No clearing the chips in the flutes. No oil. I had just finished seven holes and this was the last. When it broke I knew immediately what happened whereupon I hit the red button, killed the machine power feed, and went home. Then yesterday at around the same time I chucked a part in the lathe and didn't notice that I was only holding a small shoulder. When the cut started the part came out, knocked the tool sideways in the tool holder and did a number on my part. I live on a plantation in Louisiana and this is our own shop so nobody looks over what I do. It seems my self discipline needs correcting.
So i am not exactly a novice to industrial workplaces, I have been witness to nasty accidents. I have also been the victim of several that despite wearing safety gear, and adhering to best possible safety practices. Its not a matter of if for some of these injuries like lifting related or eye injuries. Its often a matter of when in some shops with loose safety. Spend the money on good eyewear that is comfortable that you can leave on and see through. Get useto wearing it, while working (mow the lawn with it, or watch tv, if that will make you adjust to it). If your working on something difficult, and your getting frustrated. Take a step back for a bit cool your head. If part of the reason your frustrated is cause your uncomfortable. Find a better way if possible to work on it more comfortably. A clouded/angry head can often result in some of the nastiest accidents. For example I know several people who amputated fingers and hands, cause of being pissed off and trying to power on through. Just be safe if you can, its much better to be inconvenienced and waste some time being safe for no reason, than to live the rest of your life dealing with pain due to an accident, or other disabilities.
Hey Marc, I have a few of those Mechanics Illustrated books, 7 or 8, I wanted to buy the whole set, but they told me I could not buy these 7 or 8 with out buying the whole set, I said I want the whole set, then they figured the whole set was not there, and they still were hesitant about selling me the ones I got......communication like your part 2 deals with in this series.....Bravo, Paul
Thank you for producing this video. I am going to be making some changes to the power supplies to several of my tools in order to provide a second way to disable power.
i was just accepted into a machinist training class, starting in a week. i, so excited and binging your videos to get me in the mind set, i think il dp very well because i have a degree in computer aided drafting and design, and thats where the parts start. so im excited to tackle this
Hi Marc, Great video, as always! Thank you very much for reminding us the importance of safety, because more or less we tend to forget it!! Looking forward for the second part. Take care, my friend. Warm regards Dimitris
A very good security strategy is called "verbalization". For example, one can always ask oneself with clear words: (Did I remove the key? And answer Yes if this is the case). Of course, one does not have to pronounce the words out loud!
These seem REALLY anal, but then you said: "Fear is important. A person who has no fear what-so-ever while performing a machining operation is a menace to themselves and the people around them; fear is very important." This very much reminded me of a forum thread which I will not link to. When I bought my first geared lathe just a year or two ago, someone sent me the link. If those pics don't put some fear into you, something is truly wrong. You're spot on- fear is very important. I think about those pics most any time I turn on my lathe. Not for the faint of heart- but definitely a real kick in the pants that will make you a bit more cautious around shop machines! Just google "machinist gets sucked through lathe." Like I said- beyond graphic. Proceed with caution. Thanks for the reminder!
How is it possible that these videos have 10K views but only 342 likes? Every view should be a like, come on folks, show some gratitude, and some love!
When I was in shop class in high school the 45 min movie of bloody limbs terrified me. Always made me super scared of the bandsaw. The worst was the guy with long hair getting it caught in a roll...he got scalped Huron style.
This is just what i was looking for, but i have one question: What rules apply to facial hair? I have tried a dust mask, but this impairs my vision as i have never found a dust mask which keeps my goggles from fogging up. I have replaced the use of goggles with always wearing a face shield. I assume that this is safe, but I have not consulted anyone about it. What would your advice be? By beard extends about 3 inches down from my face, but does not extend past the boundaries of my face shield. Thanks for making such a comprehensible safety instruction.
I've had to rely on my prescription glasses for quite some time. The style of safety or sun glasses that did work for me, I've not been able to find for quite a while now.
All of the big box stores (home improvement) sell safety glasses and those with "readers" , if those don't work for you then try a pair of "over glasses safety glasses. Or the best option, even though its a lot more money: Tell your Optometrist you need Safety glasses. They have them in prescription.
Wow, the video was great from 13:00 on! Did I miss anything? hehe Super solid as usual and, as I usually state, your videos have enabled me to machine. Period. But, just as important, machine better and safely. I still have both eyes and 10 complete fingers with which to play piano on occasion. Ok, play piano every day. You are still the best machinist's teacher on the web and I am thankful every time you post a video. Thanks, Marc.
Honestly, I got hit by a car on my bicycle and i still don't wear a helmet. I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time but pretty much only got back injuries even though my head checked thier windshield. I believe many people who wear helmets feel a lot safer than they should.
" I believe many people who wear helmets feel a lot safer than they should." Tj, I have no doubt that this is true. But I would say most people who wear their helmet know it's their last line of defense. They do feel safer, because there is plenty of data that proves riding with a helmet is much, much safer than skipping it. My brother personally knows four people who are still walking and talking *only* because of their bicycle helmets. You're right that the helmet doesn't make you invincible, but don't forget you're also not invincible without it. I'd urge you to get and use one. I am glad you were lucky to survive your accident, just don't let that luck run out at the wrong time. Marc's point was that you should be aware of the limits of safety gear, and not get a false sense of security, not that you should skip safety measures entirely.
Hi Chris, I agree but sadly it is one of the most common shop accidents and it often causes major injury. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to write, Marc
if a machine, ANY Machine starts to make a noise that does not belong, after it is started or while in use, or breaks down, Shut the ENTIRE machine OFF ! and Wait for the machine parts to come to a Complete STOP! before trying to fix it or diagnose it.. your hands and fingers will thank you !
Here's a good tip I picked up from a college wood design class - the table saw blade-changing wrench was on a short length of chain permanently fastened to the plug of the saw's power cord. It's a two-for-one measure: you have to unplug the saw to use the wrench, and you can't power up the saw with the wrench on the spindle.
I did this in my shop on both my table saw and drill press. I think it's especially effective for the drill press chuck key. It's impossible to have a chuck key accident in my shop.
The instructor for that class had a great way of talking about safety. He would refer to your "remaining fingers," as in "Don't use your remaining fingers as push sticks." Really helped the students understand how serious the potential dangers are.
great information G.
Marc, I had two accidents this week that reminded me to study your recent safety videos. The cause of both accidents is that I have been tired due to illness, an upper respiratory infection that keeps me up coughing. I have been up since two this morning, to make my point. Both accidents happened around five, at the end of the day when I was most tired. Two days ago I broke off a tap, which was inexcusable because I was using a tapping head with a spiral flute tap. I just followed the DRO to hover over the last hole and plunged. No clearing the chips in the flutes. No oil. I had just finished seven holes and this was the last. When it broke I knew immediately what happened whereupon I hit the red button, killed the machine power feed, and went home. Then yesterday at around the same time I chucked a part in the lathe and didn't notice that I was only holding a small shoulder. When the cut started the part came out, knocked the tool sideways in the tool holder and did a number on my part. I live on a plantation in Louisiana and this is our own shop so nobody looks over what I do. It seems my self discipline needs correcting.
So i am not exactly a novice to industrial workplaces, I have been witness to nasty accidents. I have also been the victim of several that despite wearing safety gear, and adhering to best possible safety practices.
Its not a matter of if for some of these injuries like lifting related or eye injuries. Its often a matter of when in some shops with loose safety. Spend the money on good eyewear that is comfortable that you can leave on and see through. Get useto wearing it, while working (mow the lawn with it, or watch tv, if that will make you adjust to it).
If your working on something difficult, and your getting frustrated. Take a step back for a bit cool your head. If part of the reason your frustrated is cause your uncomfortable. Find a better way if possible to work on it more comfortably. A clouded/angry head can often result in some of the nastiest accidents. For example I know several people who amputated fingers and hands, cause of being pissed off and trying to power on through.
Just be safe if you can, its much better to be inconvenienced and waste some time being safe for no reason, than to live the rest of your life dealing with pain due to an accident, or other disabilities.
Well said (written)! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share. Marc
Hey Marc, I have a few of those Mechanics Illustrated books, 7 or 8, I wanted to buy the whole set, but they told me I could not buy these 7 or 8 with out buying the whole set, I said I want the whole set, then they figured the whole set was not there, and they still were hesitant about selling me the ones I got......communication like your part 2 deals with in this series.....Bravo, Paul
Thank you for producing this video. I am going to be making some changes to the power supplies to several of my tools in order to provide a second way to disable power.
i was just accepted into a machinist training class, starting in a week. i, so excited and binging your videos to get me in the mind set, i think il dp very well because i have a degree in computer aided drafting and design, and thats where the parts start. so im excited to tackle this
Hi Marc,
Great video, as always! Thank you very much for reminding us the importance of safety, because more or less we tend to forget it!!
Looking forward for the second part. Take care, my friend.
Warm regards
Dimitris
A very good security strategy is called "verbalization". For example, one can always ask oneself with clear words: (Did I remove the key? And answer Yes if this is the case). Of course, one does not have to pronounce the words out loud!
Well, paul McCartney said "let it be" but I get the point.
Thank you. Your channel is one I have been looking for. Many many thanks.
These seem REALLY anal, but then you said: "Fear is important. A person who has no fear what-so-ever while performing a machining operation is a menace to themselves and the people around them; fear is very important."
This very much reminded me of a forum thread which I will not link to. When I bought my first geared lathe just a year or two ago, someone sent me the link. If those pics don't put some fear into you, something is truly wrong. You're spot on- fear is very important. I think about those pics most any time I turn on my lathe. Not for the faint of heart- but definitely a real kick in the pants that will make you a bit more cautious around shop machines! Just google "machinist gets sucked through lathe." Like I said- beyond graphic. Proceed with caution.
Thanks for the reminder!
Good content here!
Great video Marc. Well worth watching for everyone.
Great Videos again and again.. .love the comic relief.....
How is it possible that these videos have 10K views but only 342 likes? Every view should be a like, come on folks, show some gratitude, and some love!
When I was in shop class in high school the 45 min movie of bloody limbs terrified me. Always made me super scared of the bandsaw. The worst was the guy with long hair getting it caught in a roll...he got scalped Huron style.
Great work I hope I remember it all and the moon has it's own light source
Dear Marc, thank you very much
Lesson: 4
You're doing a great job! Many thanks!
This is just what i was looking for, but i have one question:
What rules apply to facial hair? I have tried a dust mask, but this impairs my vision as i have never found a dust mask which keeps my goggles from fogging up.
I have replaced the use of goggles with always wearing a face shield. I assume that this is safe, but I have not consulted anyone about it.
What would your advice be?
By beard extends about 3 inches down from my face, but does not extend past the boundaries of my face shield.
Thanks for making such a comprehensible safety instruction.
Marc
Thanks well worth the effort
Will
I've had to rely on my prescription glasses for quite some time. The style of safety or sun glasses that did work for me, I've not been able to find for quite a while now.
All of the big box stores (home improvement) sell safety glasses and those with "readers" , if those don't work for you then try a pair of "over glasses safety glasses. Or the best option, even though its a lot more money: Tell your Optometrist you need Safety glasses. They have them in prescription.
thoughts about shop apron?
thanx Marc!
Wow, the video was great from 13:00 on! Did I miss anything? hehe
Super solid as usual and, as I usually state, your videos have enabled me to machine. Period. But, just as important, machine better and safely. I still have both eyes and 10 complete fingers with which to play piano on occasion. Ok, play piano every day. You are still the best machinist's teacher on the web and I am thankful every time you post a video. Thanks, Marc.
Yap...!!! Fear and respect for machines that can remove way more metal than you can chew... ;)
where to get prescription safety glasses with bifocals?
Honestly, I got hit by a car on my bicycle and i still don't wear a helmet. I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time but pretty much only got back injuries even though my head checked thier windshield. I believe many people who wear helmets feel a lot safer than they should.
" I believe many people who wear helmets feel a lot safer than they should."
Tj, I have no doubt that this is true. But I would say most people who wear their helmet know it's their last line of defense. They do feel safer, because there is plenty of data that proves riding with a helmet is much, much safer than skipping it. My brother personally knows four people who are still walking and talking *only* because of their bicycle helmets.
You're right that the helmet doesn't make you invincible, but don't forget you're also not invincible without it. I'd urge you to get and use one. I am glad you were lucky to survive your accident, just don't let that luck run out at the wrong time.
Marc's point was that you should be aware of the limits of safety gear, and not get a false sense of security, not that you should skip safety measures entirely.
Leaning on the machine can have the advantage of feeling the vibrations of the machine and recognize cutting problems before the part is flung at you.
Who the hell leaves a chuck key in the chuck? I'm not even a machinist and have only used hand drills and I've never done that once.
Hi Chris, I agree but sadly it is one of the most common shop accidents and it often causes major injury. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to write, Marc
if a machine, ANY Machine starts to make a noise that does not belong, after it is started or while in use, or breaks down, Shut the ENTIRE machine OFF ! and Wait for the machine parts to come to a Complete STOP! before trying to fix it or diagnose it.. your hands and fingers will thank you !
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