Safety Question

[suntower]

This may seem stupid but... what else is new.

I've got this inherited Greenie and I'm wondering if/how I can prevent myself from getting hurt... or if I'm worrying too much.

Perhaps 'TMI' but I've been pretty sick recently. I'm better now, but the lasting result is that I'm not always as 'there' as I used to be. Just the deal.

Anyhoo, I've been practicing doing 'change overs' (like Susan) and I can easily see myself forgetting to lock something and... something bad happening.

I've got various table saws, router table, drill press, etc. And for some reason, I'm not concerned about them at all.

But because there are so many things to 'lock' on the Shopsmith (especially going to vertical) it seems like one needs to be more careful. And things like the plastic power transfer gizmo between the spindle and the jointer give me pause. (Looks kinda flimsy)

Has anyone else felt this way? I guess I'm still at the point of wondering if the thing is -safe- and what to look out for.

For example: I'm thinking I should out up a BIG safety sign with a list of things to remember next to the machine until it becomes second nature.

I hope this doesn't come off as insulting. I realise y'all have a lot invested in your machines.

Mainly, I just want to know if there's anything special I should keep in mind to avoid killing myself.


Cheers,

---JC

[rpd]

Not insulting at all. Your concern just shows a healthy desire to not damage yourself or you machine.
A "Check List" would be a great idea.
Pilots use them on aircraft to avoid making mistakes, or errors of omission. Even surgeons are starting to use them for the same reason.

[ERLover]

This may seem stupid but... what else is new.

I've got this inherited Greenie and I'm wondering if/how I can prevent myself from getting hurt... or if I'm worrying too much.

Perhaps 'TMI' but I've been pretty sick recently. I'm better now, but the lasting result is that I'm not always as 'there' as I used to be. Just the deal.

Anyhoo, I've been practicing doing 'change overs' (like Susan) and I can easily see myself forgetting to lock something and... something bad happening.

I've got various table saws, router table, drill press, etc. And for some reason, I'm not concerned about them at all.

First off I am 64 and have all my digits!!! I have done some over the top stuff, but based on past things and knowledge I new I could.
With that said, read on safety, practice it and always watch where your hands are, not always the line or what ever you are cutting, WATCH where your hands are to the danger zone with one eye, the other on what you are doing, it comes practice and dicibline.

But because there are so many things to 'lock' on the Shopsmith (especially going to vertical) it seems like one needs to be more careful. And things like the plastic power transfer gizmo between the spindle and the jointer give me pause. (Looks kinda flimsy)

Has anyone else felt this way? I guess I'm still at the point of wondering if the thing is -safe- and what to look out for.

For example: I'm thinking I should out up a BIG safety sign with a list of things to remember next to the machine until it becomes second nature.

I hope this doesn't come off as insulting. I realise y'all have a lot invested in your machines.

Mainly, I just want to know if there's anything special I should keep in mind to avoid killing myself.


Cheers,

---JC

[wa2crk]

I felt the same after my hip surgeries. It will go away as you get more relaxed.
Bill V

[rjent]

As a pilot myself, checklists are used to keep a flyer from taking shortcuts. We all get comfortable (sometimes too comfortable) and a check list can bring you back to earth (pun intended ). There is the clockwise mental check list of quill, headstock, carriage, table lift, table tilt. JPG taught me that one and I use it every time I turn the machine on.

Check list on the wall is not a bad idea ....

JMHO

[davebodner]

There is the clockwise mental check list of quill, headstock, carriage, table lift, table tilt. JPG taught me that one and I use it every time I turn the machine on.

I learned that here, too. Not that I can remember all the names, but I know there are 5 things I need to tighten. That much I can remember.

And things like the plastic power transfer gizmo between the spindle and the jointer give me pause. (Looks kinda flimsy)

That's a good thing. If everything's running correctly, it's plenty strong. If something goes haywire, it's an inexpensive, easily replaceable part that'll strip before you do real damage to something else.

Something that helped me, especially in the beginning, was rehearsing some of my cuts. With the machine off, I'll pretend to move my piece over the blade. Do I like where my feet are? Where my hands are? Can I add another safety device?

[JPG]

To the '5' (sometimes '4') add the vertical lock screw when going to drill press mode. DO release prior to lowering to horizontal.

As for remembering to lock the headstock prior to raising to vertical, once you forget, the experience will permanently cause thee to remember to do so.

[dusty]

To the '5' (sometimes '4') add the vertical lock screw when going to drill press mode. DO release prior to lowering to horizontal.

As for remembering to lock the headstock prior to raising to vertical, once you forget, the experience will permanently cause thee to remember to do so.

Once may not be enough. I have raised it or started to several times. Yes, the experience should bring with it a lesson well learned but don't count on it.

[JPG]

To the '5' (sometimes '4') add the vertical lock screw when going to drill press mode. DO release prior to lowering to horizontal.

As for remembering to lock the headstock prior to raising to vertical, once you forget, the experience will permanently cause thee to remember to do so.

Once may not be enough. I have raised it or started to several times. Yes, the experience should bring with it a lesson well learned but don't count on it.

Some folks learn slowly.

[reible]

I always check how fast it is set to run at......... so far so good for me but I have heard of people hooking up the bandsaw with the headstock set to run at saw speed..............

The powerpro is nice in that it asks you to confirm running in reverse and or rpms above 1500 so you get a second chance to not mess things up.

Ed