Lathe Safety

[aametalmaster]

Here is something that happened today and never has happened in the 35 years i have been running lathes. I was drilling a hole with a 1/4" bit mounted in a Jacobs super chuck in my tailstock. It was production parts so it was a quick drill and go to the next step. I was backing out the drill via the tailstock handwheel like i have done 10,000 times and the chuck popped free from the tailstock when i pulled back the tailstock and was stuck in the spinning part. Then the bit bent and the chuck was beating on my tool post and as i was reaching for the switch the bit broke and the now flying chuck hit my left thumb on the way by. It went about 15' across my basement and right down my floor drain. So i guess i need to pay a bit better attention of what i was doing...Bob

 

[aametalmaster]

My thumb is fine now. It stung for a day. Thats why i don't like the on/off switch mounted above the machines because had i been reaching for it my face prob would have got the chuck. Wow...Bob