Missing chuck jaw

[Rockytime]

Yesterday I was using a Nova G3 chuck which I had purchases used. It had a slight bind and disassembled it to work out the bind. I put in on the spindle and turned on the power at 3950 rpm. There was a flash of light and a huge explosion. The jaws came out of the chuck. After gathering my wits I went looking for the missing jaws. I found all but one. After sweeping and crawling around on the floor I finally gave up. While sitting at the lathe and contemplating my next move I noticed a hole in the wall behind the lathe. Now I know where jaw is. I will try to fish it out with some rare earth magnets other wise I will have to remove some 5/8" drywall. The reason soon became obvious. When replacing the snap ring I had not seated it all the way allowing the scroll to back off the jaws and send them flying. I have worked on scroll chucks for 30 years and then finally a stupid mistake. I am forever grateful my head was not two inches closer to the head stock. However all is well.

 

[stonepecker]

We are gratefull also.

Nice to know you are human also.......can never be to carefull.

 

[triw51]

Glad to hear you are ok and hope you do not have to tear out the drywall. I had a burl bowl explode on me the other day did not find all the pieces either but there is a nice dent in my brand new Jet air filter. Glad I was not in direct line of that hunk.

 

[KCW]

That is scary! I'm glad you are ok.

 

[Bill in Buena Park]

Glad you weren't hit. I take it the flash/explosion was the bulb shattering in the lamp?

 

[Rockytime]

Glad you weren't hit. I take it the flash/explosion was the bulb shattering in the lamp?

Yep, that was it. More good news, I recovered the jaw with the magnet. The insulation kept it from dropping all the way down.

 

[duncsuss]

Like the other folks have said -- glad you weren't in the line of fire.

The first thing that I noticed was the speed you were running the lathe -- even with a properly assembled chuck, 3950rpm is high IMO. Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I can see in the Nova manual, they really don't expect chucks to be spinning that fast.

 

[Rockytime]

Like the other folks have said -- glad you weren't in the line of fire.

The first thing that I noticed was the speed you were running the lathe -- even with a properly assembled chuck, 3950rpm is high IMO. Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I can see in the Nova manual, they really don't expect chucks to be spinning that fast.

Guess I was running it like I stole it like my tryke. What I mean is I didn't steal the tryke. I just like to ride it fast. I usually run that fast once the blank is rounded especially on small diameters.

You may be correct, I still have the manuals.

 

[magpens]

Glad you're OK !!!

 

[tomtedesco]

Buy a lotto ticket, with out a doubt this is your lucky day. Glad you're OK

 

[lorbay]

What no insulation in that wall.
Lin

 

[allunn]

Good to hear you're okay and you found the jaw. All's well that ends well.

 

[Rockytime]

Buy a lotto ticket, with out a doubt this is your lucky day. Glad you're OK

If I buy a lot to ticket it will be the first. Sounds like I should give it a try.

 

[Rockytime]

What no insulation in that wall.
Lin

The insulation kept it from going trough the other side of the wall. Also kept it from dropping to the bottom. Only fell about 2" so it retrieved quite easly.

 

[Imaginethat]

Did you notice your guardian angel standing next to you after you gathered your wits?

 

[Rockytime]

Did you notice your guardian angel standing next to you after you gathered your wits?

Oh yes, His name is Jesus.

 

[LouCee]

That was a close one, glad you weren't hit.

 

[wyone]

Glad to hear you are OK... and yes, it is times like this that remind us how quickly things happen in woodworking, and especially with woodturning. This lesson may not have been yours to learn, but those of us who have read the story. I know I learn a lot from what others post. Again, glad you are OK

 

[Jim Smith]

WOW! You were very lucky indeed. I had a similar near miss when I was a young man and I was working at a small sawmill. The owner/sawyer was not always sober when he was working. The circular saw blade was about 4 feet in diameter and had replaceable carbide teeth that locked in place with an Allen set screw. On this day, the sawyer pulled the carriage too close to the saw blade, so when he advanced the carriage, he drove it right into one of the steel railroad rails that were used to hold the logs. Where I was working, I was right in line with the saw blade. When the saw hit the steel railroad rail, there was a very loud bang as about 20 of the carbide teeth exploded out of the saw blade like bullets. It was over before I even knew anything was going to happen. I literally looked down at my legs and patted down my body to see if I had been hit by any of the teeth. When I didn't find any bloody spots, I turned around and to see about 15-20 one inch holes blasted through the 1x10 pine boards where the teeth had shot through them like bullets. The holes were just above and on both sides of where I was standing. I guess it wasn't my turn. As the saying goes, God takes care of fools, drunks and children and I wasn't a kid anymore and I don't drink so I figured out where I fell into that equation. I'm sure glad you were lucky as well and I'm glad that you were able to recover the missed chuck jaw.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Things happening like this is why I always step around the lathe so the head stock is between me and the spindle end (and put my face shield on) when I first turn it on... after it has come up to speed, then I move around in front of the lathe.... I've had a few bowls and pieces come off the lathe, so I'm cautious. (gun shy?)