Magazine cover showing good or bad position?

[Mike Gilley]

Ok, maybe it's just me, but when I found this magazine in one of the book stores a few weeks ago, I was rather surprised at what I saw on the cover.

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/plans/index.cfm/plan_details/5/83/1934

Since I'm not a spinner of wood, I can't say for sure if this guy is perfectly safe or not :dontknow::dontknow: , but it doesn't look very smart to me. :icon_scra:icon_scra

Anyone else who thinks that 'straddling' a lathe like that is a 'good' idea? :eusa_doh::eusa_doh::eusa_doh:

 

[Rob]

Have done it, and probably will again. I don't see it as not being safe, probably safer then standing in front of something spinning 1000 rpms. And then poking sharp objects into it.

 

[JackLeg]

Mike, old son, you're on the "right path!" :icon_thum

Stay away from that spinning stuff:nah: and stick with us "flat siders!" Table saws, band saws, routers, etc. are infinitely safer than those 1000 rpm "wood hurlers!"

Stick with us and the worst can happen is you lose a finger!! (Or part of one, or part of a part, or---)

:rotflm:

Stay safe!

 

[Mike Davis]

If I did that more than once every 5 years or so I would lower the lathe and make a seat for it.


Or at least add some stirrups. :rotflm:

I wonder if that is a pony lathe? :dontknow:

 

[WoodWrangler]

While I can't imagine it's the best idea, I doubt it's highly unsafe since you are to the side of the bowl. I can't imagine it putting you in a "better" position for doing what he's doing though ... so why do it? All scrunched over and it looks uncomfortable. Plus, if you get a catch and the tool decides to jerk around, you are probably just going to have to take it, instead of being able to react & move out of the way.

Also, that is a horrible cover picture ... looks like a 12 year old with a new camera took it.

 

[Douglas Robinson]

Straddling the lathe is not uncommon. The most dangerous place is directly in front of the lathe, not at the tail end, where he is sitting, especially when first turning the lathe on.

 

[CaptnA]

been there done that not saying it was a good thing but...:embarrassed:
it worked at the time
Good eye to catch it. Hopefully a lot of us can continue/remember to 'watch ourselves' (and each other's backs) when in the shop

 

[Mike Gilley]

Yeah, the only power tool I would comfortable straddling is going to have 2 wheels, handle bars, and get me to the office when it's not raining. :icon_thum:icon_thum:icon_thum

 

[woodnick]

I've seen Dave Marks do it to hollow out a vise. I agree it's safer then standing in front of the lathe.

 

[Trent Mason]

Yeah, I don't really think that is terribly unsafe. Seems like it would be kind've uncomfortable though. I'm with Mike on making a seat for it. :rotflm:

 

[woodArtz]

I guess safety is a relative term :wink_smil. This is a commonly used technique for many "experts". I saw David Marks perform this maneuver on his show a while back. Since the "arc of death" for the lathe is generally considered the ~270 degree area directly in line with the workpiece, the area toward the tail stock is supposed to be a safe zone (at least for having things flung at you). :dontknow:

 

[sapwood]

. . . . Since the "arc or death" for the lathe is generally considered the ~270 degree area directly in line with the workpiece, the area toward the tail stock is supposed to be a safe zone (at least for having things flung at you). :dontknow:

Arc of death :swoon:
Another reason not to buy a lathe :gar-La;

Roger

 

[sediener]

Chuck a piece in there off-center, crank it up and hold on.... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Glennbear]

I do not know if this is an accepted practice or not but I would not be comfy perched where a catch could knock me off balance to the floor. :no:

 

[PeteQuad]

The Ark of Death. You must need a really large lathe to turn a boat. I'm not riding in it with that name, either.