Good and bad day in the shop

[Powerstroke 7.3]

The good is I turned a 10" long by 6-7" round log of cedar down to 10"x 4.5" blank... got a order for a mortar and pedestal. Should turn out good - will post pics when done.
The BAD is when I was drilling a pen blank and when I was moving the tailstock back on the lathe (lathe still running) the chuck decided to come out of the tailstock with the bit still partly in the blank. Thankfully I was standing to one side when the chuck and parts of the bit decided to leave the area at a high rate of speed. If I was where I normally stand I do I would have ate the chuck with a piece of bit still in it somewhere - not good. Wife heard the explosion (was loud) and came to check on me - other than a change of pants I was ok.
Lesson learned...... back off the bit using the hand wheel and not to unlock the tailstock and slide back ... and wife suggest I wear a bullet proof vest.

 

[Knucklefish]

Been there done that. Had the chuck and bit fly up and hit the ceiling. Scared the doo-doo outta me. Just glad that I still have my teeth, missed me by an inch or so. The drill bit was bent at a 90 degree angle. I have it hung on my wall as a reminder to be careful.
John

 

[rsulli16]

hi
happened to me too. half the drill stayed and the other very jagged ended half and the chuck flew!!. Took me days to find it.
scared me good too.
Sulli

 

[KBs Pensnmore]

... and wife suggest I wear a bullet proof vest.
What about a bullet proof face mask!!!!!
Yes it happened to me too, except I was winding back the hand wheel, I've got 3 drillbits for the price of 1, only thing is none are are of any use.
Kryn

 

[PenPal]

Aaron,

I sympathise I have had a drill and chuck chase me twice out of (dropped out) whilst drilling tough blanks while backing off.

I threw away the chuck replaced it with a threaded rod type through the shaft never had that problem again, on my pen lathe the mandrel is captive through the head stock by a threaded rod as is the drill chuck in the tail stock when in use. Pure fear prompted this.

Trust you have recovered and stay safe.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[Powerstroke 7.3]

I have saved the bit - what pieces I could find.... I am putting them above my work bench as a reminder - I recovered and have drilled since with no flashbacks ... lol
I think the wife said something about "a bullet proof face mask" but I did explain I needed to see what I was doing.

Such is life and my new order of supplies arrived today so I get to turn some more pens.

 

[alphageek]

Why do I see her getting you something like this:

 

[Powerstroke 7.3]

I am not showing her that picture!!! ol

 

[studioso]

Fewh!
Does holding the chuck with your free hand help?

 

[Richard Gibson]

Me too!!! Through several suggestions here, I now keep my free hand on the chuck as I move the tail stock back. Not had any problem since.

 

[joek30296]

The MT2 chuck I recently bought from Woodcraft came threaded for 1/4-20 rod which I've used successfully several times in the headstock to hold small parts. However, I just tried it in the tailstock and it works there too.....of a fashion. The travel is limited by by far I tighten the lock nut on the threaded rod. But it still keeps the chuck from coming out of the tailstock.
Just my two cents.

Joe