Let's talk SAFETY

[sqeezplay]

well about those darn grining disks, i have a 4 1/2" grinder and i was using it on a forgewelded billet i had, and i was in the middle of a mild-steel piece when the edge chopped into the high-carbon file i had on the other half, well the outer 1/2" of the wheel was completely shattered and i checked my body to make sure no harm, and in my right bicept i founf a 1"X1/2" piece stuck half way in my arm, along with several other smaller pieces of wheel. so from first hand experiance, always check your wheels, even brand new ones, and don't use a wheel that is worn, or broken.

well, i know this can be over annalized, and it can be rather annoying when you have a couple hundred people lecturing you about it. but it's good to get a good talking to about every 3-5 years.

[primtechsmith]

yesteryearforge gave me a great bit of advice with wire brushes. He said that a lot of wires that go into or around the eyes even while wearing safety glasses is because the person is turned to the side of the one wire brushing. Even with safety glasses on I try to either have my back turned to the one brushing or facing them head on. I also try hard not to shoot them his direction by staying aware of how I am wire brushing with the grinder...


Peyton

[mcraigl]

Never grind, cut, or weld near your reloading supplies. 1000 Magnum rifle primers going off in unison (mass detonation) make a fairly lound racket... It IS a very fast way to completely clear off a work bench though.

Also (learned from Mike-hr), if the Mill, Lathe, Drill Press "whatever large power equipment", wants the workpiece, let it have it. It's just plain rude to deny it. Plus, reaching your hand for a peice of steel rotating on a mill might cost you a hand...

Don't use a torch (or probably a plasma) when wearing mesh running shoes...

Just because spit doesn't sizzle, doesn't mean it's cool enough to touch yet.

[ThomasPowers]

A guard for a wire wheel can direct a lost piece right back at you rather than flinging it across the room. Since I am adverse to catching flying metal using my body as a backstop I prefer to be unguarded.

I was given a slow speed bench mount grinder system that I love for wirebrushing, it doesn't throw as many wires or pieces!

Thomas

[Brian C.]

This is a copy of my posting under "wire wheels"

I run an 8" wire wheel on a pedestal grinder. Once as I was cleaning up a piece of 3/8" round stock that I had forged into a hook on one end and a leaf on the other, the wheel grabbed it.

Cut my lip inside & out, several sore teeth, small mouse under my eye. All of this while wearing a face shield. Tore the shield from the headband.

What would it have done without the face shield? Which, by the way, I only started wearing after #1 son came to visit & walked up and pulled a couple of wires out of my cheek that I had not noticed.

When that wheel grabs, it is way to late to "duck and cover".

I still use those wheels, but very much more carefully than before. This made a Bill Epps believer out of me ,by using a variable speed sander-polisher with a wire cup wheel in his videos
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[yesteryearforge]

Never use a grinding wheel for a pedestal grinder that has been dropped or banged real hard unless you " ring " it first . It can and will explode when it reaches its top rpm. A grinding wheel has a definite ring to it when when tapped if it is sound , if not there is a dull thud if its is not sound (cracked )

[Paragon]

Figured I would bring this back to the top.

Good idea to check your grinding wheels by holding them on your finger through the hold and tapping them.

I worked/ran the machine shop at college and I can tell you, it is scary what you see in there from people going through engineering classes. (including the ever popular person running the drill on reverse and standing there a minute wondering why it isn't cutting)

Drill presses: I have seen people drilling on large drill presses (I'm talking the table being 4 foot square) and not holding what they are drilling. Even on smaller presses. Or not using a vice to hold it. I would tell them to hold it.. they would put a finger on it. Half the time I had to yell at them to get it through their head.

I have seen some large vises get thrown off tables 6 feet when the bit grabs from incorrect speed and improper usages.

If you have a vertical mill, always remember to NEVER leave the wrench on the shaft.. One person did (unfortunately I was not there to see it) and I guess the shaft ended up shooting up and hitting the ceiling from what I was told (although I have my doubts it was that spectacular). Same goes for chuck keys on drill presses and lathes. You can get safety keys that are spring loaded and will pop out on their own if left in the hole.

A cutoff wheel from a dremel will sting with it shatters.. one from a 4" grinder will not feel good. I have yet to have one shatter but am thinking of getting a full face shield. I usually use safety gogles and hearing protection.

I always recommend to use vise grips when using belt grinders and wheels especially small parts. This is from first hand experience one time when I was in a hurry and not thinking (That won't happen again.. I have a nice scar to remind myself)

Safety glasses.. anything ANSI z87 should work.

Always remember there is no excuse to be in such a hurry to not consider your own and others' safety first.