Lathe Safety Basics

Safety at the lathe is your responsibility. These are AAW’s recommended practices.

Protective gear

Face. Wear a full face shield any time the lathe is on. Choose one that also covers your lower face and jaw, not just a plastic sheet on a headband. Wear safety glasses for work away from a running lathe.
Lungs. Wood dust and grinder dust harm your lungs, especially with repeated exposure. Use a dust mask or respirator together with dust collection and good ventilation. Sanding creates the most harmful dust. Take extra care with exotic and spalted woods, and with any wood that has given you a reaction.
Ears. Wear hearing protection for noisy work, or for moderately noisy work that goes on for a long time. Earmuffs and earplugs both work.
Feet. Wear shoes or boots to protect your feet from falling objects.
Clothing and hair. Tie back long hair, bangs, and beards. Don’t wear gloves, loose clothing, jewelry, or anything that dangles and could catch on spinning parts.

Use sound wood. Check for cracks, splits, checking, ring shake, and other defects. Some defects can’t be seen.
Take extra care with knots, bark inclusions, and irregular shapes. Beginners should avoid them.
Stop the lathe often to check whether turning has exposed a defect. Throw out blanks with serious defects. Don’t use glue to hold a defective blank together.

Tighten every lock on the tailstock and tool rest.
Mount the work firmly. On a faceplate, use sturdy #10 or #12 sheet metal screws at minimum, never drywall or deck screws. Between centers, seat the work firmly between drive center and tailstock.
Remove chuck keys, wrenches, and knockout bars. Make checking for them a habit.
Turn the work by hand to make sure it clears the tool rest, banjo, and bed.
Check the speed. See the speed guide below.
Step out of the red zone and keep your hand on the switch as you turn it on.

Keep the tool rest close to the work. Turn the lathe off to move it, then turn the work by hand again to check clearance.
Hold the tool firmly on the rest, and rest it there before it touches the wood.
Check chuck jaws for tightness during the session.
If the lathe shakes or the work vibrates, slow down. If it still vibrates, stop and find out why.
Listen for unusual sounds. Stop and investigate.
Remove the tool rest before sanding, finishing, or polishing.
Never use cloth wrapped around your fingers or hands to apply finish to spinning work.
Turning in reverse, or braking a heavy piece, can unscrew a chuck or faceplate. Use the spindle locking screws.
Don’t overreach. Keep your footing and balance.
Don’t turn when you’re tired, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Know your limits. Experienced turners use speeds and techniques that beginners shouldn’t.
Never leave the lathe running. Wait until it fully stops.

When in doubt, the speed is probably too high. Slower takes longer but is safer. Start slow until the work is balanced.

Keep the lathe in good repair. Check for damaged or misaligned parts.
Keep all guards and belt covers in place.
Keep the bed, banjo, and tailstock surfaces clean and free of rust.
Keep tools sharp and clean. Don’t force a dull tool; sharpen it. Check tools for cracks. Use each tool only for its intended purpose.

Don’t turn in damp or wet places, or near flammable liquids, vapors, or gases. Keep a charged fire extinguisher nearby.
Check power cords for damage. Avoid extension cords. If you must use one, make sure it’s rated for your lathe.
Sweep shavings from the floor as you work. Remove trip and slip hazards.
Keep the shop well lit and ventilated. Use an anti-fatigue mat.
Use powered dust extraction whenever you sand or make dust.
Avoid distractions. Keep pets out. Ask family to come in carefully and wait until the lathe is off.