Sometimes I think I would be never stupid enough

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ALexG

ALexG

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Messages
192
Location
Stittsville, ON
I found that for saving time on cleaning any residue of CA in my tubes, I could use the mandrel with the lathe on and gently introducing the blank on it, yesterday I didn't realize my lathe was set to 4000 RPM, while doing it, the mandrel got out off center in a microsecond, touched the bed, bent 45 degrees and almost punched my stomach letting a bruise as a reminder, how many times I said to myself, safety first don't try to use any stupid non-sense shortcut. So for saving 10 seconds I have as an outcome, a broken pen mandrel with a bushing stuck on it, broken blank and bruise on my stomach.. someday I'll learn the lesson
 
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That would be one good reason not to use a mandrel anymore , and for sure , never use one unsupported at both ends . It probably would have been more painful if your hand had been swotted .
 
Ouch! Glad you're otherwise alright.

Always good to share these moments though as reinforcement for all of us to not forget that what we're doing has inherent dangers that should be respected.
 
:eek::eek: Alex; I hate to rub salt into an open wound, but turning on a lathe with an unsupported mandrel is never a good idea at any speed. Second. Holding a blank in your hand on a running lathe to remove glue buildup, sends shivers down my spine !! You were very lucky not to have any more damage then you did. Having said that, I am happy that you were not badly hurt !! Please use a tapered reamer to remove glue buildup next time. Wish you well !! Jim S
 
i have a sign by my lathe with safety checks on,i always check,as my children walked into workshop and altered speed of lathe.after 14 stiches in my head, safety first.
 
When I first started a year ago, one of the seasoned members posted a picture of his arm. He had turned on the lathe to turn off some CA buildup on the mandrel, as he had done many times before. His arm was black and blue from wrist to elbow and I believe also has several stitches. That image has stuck in my mind and double check everything before turning on the lathe. The times I don't check, I am usually tired so I shutdown the shop and go back in the house.
 
ALexG said:
I found that for saving time on cleaning any residue of CA in my tubes, I could use the mandrel with the lathe on and gently introducing the blank on it, yesterday I didn't realize my lathe was set to 4000 RPM, while doing it, the mandrel got out off center in a microsecond, touched the bed, bent 45 degrees and almost punched my stomach letting a bruise as a reminder, how many times I said to myself, safety first don't try to use any stupid non-sense shortcut. So for saving 10 seconds I have as an outcome, a broken pen mandrel with a bushing stuck on it, broken blank and bruise on my stomach.. someday I'll learn the lesson
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Sort of like taking a club to a gun fight.
 
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