Wood Lathe

Important!

You must wear a full face mask at all times!

Follow all shop rules.
When using the lathe, a full-face shield is used instead of goggles. This shield MUST be worn AT ALL TIMES by all students and instructors operating or supervising.
Make sure everyone without a face shield is at a safe distance before turning on the lathe.
Keep your tools sharpened, dull tools can cause injuries (to sharpen tools, do not use grinder, use the sharpening stone).
Do not use standard 2 by 4’s, or plywood, this wood is brittle, and will splinter, and can cause injuries.
Always keep a firm grip on your tools.
Never use a tool with only 1 hand.
If your name is not on the list of people approved to use the lathe, you must have someone who is approved there to watch you.
Never leave the lathe on when unattended.
Keep your tools sharpened, dull tools can cause injuries.
No exposed long hair, no loose clothing, roll up long sleeves. Do not wear gloves.
Be confidant! If you are not confidant you can end up injuring yourself or others.

Find the center of the wood (ex: by using the centering tool, or by drawing lines from corner to corner, and using the x-point).
Put tool stand just under the middle of the wood, to allow the tool to make the best contact.
For using the gouge RPM should be 800 to 1000.
For the skew and other tools turn the speed up to between 1,000 and 1,200.
For sanding and polishing, turn the speed up to at least 1800 rpm.
Hold the tools with the point facing up and the handle down at a slight angle, if you don’t, it will catch in between the wood and the support.