Hilel Salomon
05-23-2011, 11:18 AM
Again, I shouldn't be giving advice to anyone considering the fact that I'm such a mediocre turner, but.....
Others have mentioned speed and this is one of the things I'd like to address; tool presentation is extremely important as well. Using the proper tool for the proper task is a major safety factor. Changing the tool rest distance while the blank is still turning is something I've seen way too often.
The point is that I've seen way too many demonstrations and videos by expert turners who use very high speeds and move the tool rest while their blanks are turning. Some of them also present the tools holding them with one hand. Often, they'll pay lip service to how this might be dangerous, in effect using the old "do as I say, not as I do" platitude.
I think that instructors should always set an example rather than state something. To do otherwise only encourages people to try unsafe techniques in order to prove that "they've arrived."
Lastly, I noticed that some of our members talked about blanks coming off their chucks, or tenons breaking. The proper seating of blanks using tenons is quite important, but I'd rather that some of the true experts address this. Personally, I have learned that the size and nature of the tenon depends somewhat on the wood, but I've noticed that some people want to use chucks at their widest capacity and at their deepest depth, both of which, IMO are hazardous practices. I do welcome corrections, emendations and other advice.
Hilel
'
Others have mentioned speed and this is one of the things I'd like to address; tool presentation is extremely important as well. Using the proper tool for the proper task is a major safety factor. Changing the tool rest distance while the blank is still turning is something I've seen way too often.
The point is that I've seen way too many demonstrations and videos by expert turners who use very high speeds and move the tool rest while their blanks are turning. Some of them also present the tools holding them with one hand. Often, they'll pay lip service to how this might be dangerous, in effect using the old "do as I say, not as I do" platitude.
I think that instructors should always set an example rather than state something. To do otherwise only encourages people to try unsafe techniques in order to prove that "they've arrived."
Lastly, I noticed that some of our members talked about blanks coming off their chucks, or tenons breaking. The proper seating of blanks using tenons is quite important, but I'd rather that some of the true experts address this. Personally, I have learned that the size and nature of the tenon depends somewhat on the wood, but I've noticed that some people want to use chucks at their widest capacity and at their deepest depth, both of which, IMO are hazardous practices. I do welcome corrections, emendations and other advice.
Hilel
'