Near Disaster

[monophoto]

Yesterday, I was making a small tray from a hunk of ash. I was roughing out the overall shape, when the gouge caught.

Sadly, catches are not unknown in my shop.

But this time was different. Yes, there was an ugly scar on the wood (requiring a slight change in the design of the tray). But the significant impact was that the force of the catch fractured the post on my tool rest.

The tool rests on my lathe are 1/2" diameter (on the small side), but to actually fracture the steel enough for the rest to actually fly off requires a lot of force. I'm no metallurgist, but the fracture looks pretty crystalliine, so I have a suspicion that the metal was defective to begin with.

Fortunately, I had a second tool rest and was able to finish the piece (not without a few additional problems that required further "design refinements").

 

[bkersten]

Before someone else says it- photos, photos where are the photos.

 

[Gary Beasley]

The fracture was probably the result of repeated impacts. It may have been made from some low grade steel.

 

[Woodlvr]

Sorry to hear about your "catch" but "Glad" to hear that there are no bodily injuries. Tools can be replaced, maybe when you get a new tool rest you should check out Ricks or Johnnycnc for a new rest? Keep safe.

 

[monophoto]

Sorry to hear about your "catch" but "Glad" to hear that there are no bodily injuries. Tools can be replaced, maybe when you get a new tool rest you should check out Ricks or Johnnycnc for a new rest? Keep safe.

Had a fabulous exchange with Rick yesterday - and he's working on a new rest for me. Nice guy!

 

[bensoelberg]

Yesterday, I was making a small tray from a hunk of ash. I was roughing out the overall shape, when the gouge caught.

Sadly, catches are not unknown in my shop.

But this time was different. Yes, there was an ugly scar on the wood (requiring a slight change in the design of the tray). But the significant impact was that the force of the catch fractured the post on my tool rest.

The tool rests on my lathe are 1/2" diameter (on the small side), but to actually fracture the steel enough for the rest to actually fly off requires a lot of force. I'm no metallurgist, but the fracture looks pretty crystalliine, so I have a suspicion that the metal was defective to begin with.

Fortunately, I had a second tool rest and was able to finish the piece (not without a few additional problems that required further "design refinements").

If that had happened to me, I think that the "design refinements" would be more about changing my soiled wardrobe. Yikes!