Preparing to Use a Lathe

• A lathe can be a dangerous machine, if used improperly. Because there is a spinning mechanism and a blade strong enough to shape and cut wood, serious injury can occur.
  
  Prior to using the lathe, you should read the owner's manual thoroughly for guidelines and operating instructions specific to your lathe. Check for any damaged or defective parts, and ensure the machine is in good working order. Ensure that you are in a well-lit work area and that there are no hazards present, such as flammable material.
  
  It is important to prepare yourself as well the machine. Wear goggles, a safety mask and/or a dust mask to prevent wood shavings from injuring you. Tie back your hair and refrain from wearing loose clothing, jewelry or anything that could become caught in the lathe.
  
  

Using the Lathe

• Hunt County Woodturners, a member of the National Woodturners Association, recommends roughing out, or preparing, the wood you plan to turn prior to mounting it on the lathe. Ensure the wood is free of splinters or cracks that could cause pieces to fly out from the lathe as the wood is turning, which could cause injury.
  
  Lock the wood in place on the lathe and ensure that it is secured, that all clamping devices are tightly in place, and that the belt guard is fastened. Rotate the wood by hand after it has been locked into place, prior to turning the machine on, to ensure that the wood can turn freely and there are no obstructions.
  
  When you turn the lathe on, start the machine at a slow speed. If the machine is vibrating, you are turning the wood too fast. If the wood itself is vibrating, it is probably not properly secured and you should turn the machine off to examine the reason for the vibration.
  
  

Possible Risks

• An unbalanced work piece that is not properly secured could slip from the lathe and forcefully strike you or others. This is especially true at high speeds. If the lathe is running backwards or in reverse, pieces of it -- especially a faceplate or chuck -- could unscrew from the machine and cause injury if not properly tightened on the spindle. Chuck keys and adjusting wrenches used to attach blades or faceplates could be left accidentally in the machine and fly out when the lathe is turned on, causing injury.
  
  Take steps, including properly balancing the wood, tightening all faceplates and chucks and confirming that tools used to attach blades or chucks are removed prior to turning on the lathe.