Well, now I’ve gone and done it. Bought a new Jet 1236 lathe, and am having a ball covering myself with chips and dust as they spew off the tools. And that’s the problem.
I’m getting a bit of flak on the home front because, whenever I race in from the shop, “Look honey! I made a bead!”, I’m leaving a trail of wood debris. It’s not only on my clothing, it gets down between my socks and shoes.
What do turners wear in order to keep the chips out – and the criticism down to a dull roar?
Zolton
* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Replies
Zolton,
You are not the only person who gets grief from SWMBO for dragging wood debris through the house.
I studied alternative ways. I came up with two which are of about equal cost. The first was to purchase a dust collection system.
The second was to get a Swedish "au pair" for a year. Her English is excellent. Usually these girls come to act as live-in baby sitters. However I found one that was willing to clean my shop, and to vacuum me off before each time before I leave the shop. I am also teaching her how to sharpen my chisels and plane blades. However that may prove to be a problem. Now she wants a Tormek!
Woodworking problems are best solved "out of the box".
Enjoy.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
Domestic life is difficult enough...
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Dust collection doesn't seem to be much of an option, as the chips get thrown every which way. But, now that you mention it, I haven't tried simply vacuuming myself off. Maybe that's the ticket.
Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Several sources exist for wood turners smocks. AAW has one that I like. When it is hot like now, Under Armor T shirts are long and slick and make brushing chips of easy. Can't help with the socks, possible sandals you can take off and knock the chips out of.
Hi Zolton ,
I wear my shop apron , it helps by about 85% or so , a quick spray off with the air hose usually does it .You could try those slip covers for shoes or place a plastic bag and rubber band to hold them on over your socks .
BTW , an old family friend's personal handle whose name is Jack is "hydraulic Jack" I think it came about from his style of beer drinking .
cheers dusty
Zolton, in addition to the true turner's apparel, try some nylon work-out pants for your lower half. The nylon (or whatever other material they use nowadays) is very slippery, and it's much easier to brush off or jiggle off the shavings. If you get long ones, they can cover upmost of the sock area above your shoes. Snowboarders wear similar pants with big zippers on the bottom leg, which can be slipped over your jeans and taken off before running into the house in glee.
I have a set of coveralls. I jump into them (sometime in dressy clothes) and zip up to my chin. I jump out when I am done and my leave the dust in the shop. This also keeps my tie out of the headstock.
FB
Agreed , I hate it when my tie gets caught in my head stock .
dusty , sans tie
Thanks to all who replied to my query about approriate turning wear. There are a lot of good comments.
One thing that struck me was Forest Girl's suggestion of nylon athletic pants. As a bicyclist, I have a lot of this type of gear lying around - windproof shells and so on. The tops zip right up around the neck too, so that would solve the problem of having to dig walnut chips out of my navel each night before it's time to shower.
I also liked the recommendation of the coverall. Something like that can be left in the shop at the end of the day - along with its accumulated debris. Maybe one of those Tyvek Haz-mat suits? Inexpensive, and the fabric, I suspect, wouldn't grab and retain the chips. And heavier duty coveralls are nice and warm in the winter months...If I bought one long enough to cover my shoes, that would deflect the chips from getting into my socks.
So, thank you to all who took the time to help out a turning tyro. I'm going to put some of these idea to work, and that, I'm hoping, will result in harmonious tranquility on the homefront..
Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
"I have a set of coveralls. I jump into them (sometime in dressy clothes) and zip up to my chin. I jump out when I am done and my leave the dust in the shop. This also keeps my tie out of the headstock."
My dad was a high school shop teacher, back in the days when teachers were expected to wear suits and ties. One day he came home with what was left of his necktie in shreds, after a close encounter with the wood lathe...it was a good thing he was strong as an ox, or it probably would have sucked him right into the machinery. He wore clipon ties from that day on, for the rest of his life. :-)
Zolton,
I find it easier to turn a tire if it is first mounted on the rim, and inflated. If you can mount wheel and all in the lathe, so much the better, the bearings will have things already pretty much centered, and you can use the brakes to stop the thing and inspect your progress; that is, if you haven't sucked the fluid out of 'em already. If you hear your tool suddenly going tick, tick tick, you are into the steel belts, and should stop-- to avoid catastrophic decompression of your turning.
Caution: if you are not a professional tire-turner you should not attempt turning tires without the direct supervision of a tire professional on a closed course.
Disclaimer: Writer assumes no responsibility for injuries/ loss of life sustained in this life-threatening activity.
Of course, the easiest, safest way to turn a tire, is by grasping the steering wheel, and giving it a pull to one side or the other.
Hope this helps.
By the way, before I turn, I untuck shirt-tail, and button top button at neck if there is a button there. Sorta like... Monk, on casual Fridays. Long pants keep sox and shoe-tops covered, mostly. I still end up with pants pockets full of sawdust, mostly from tablesaw. Since I carry my wallet in front pocket, due to hip pain, he who steals my purse, steals dust.
Ray
Ray ,
You got your Tire rotation also , and how about Tire balancing too .
came in at lunch time and had a good laugh , thanks dusty
dusty,
Tire balancing is important too, as, if your butt isn't centered in the swing, it will go skow-wow, and soon you will get dizzy, let go the rope, and fall off.
Ray
Zolton,
It's actually quite simple.
Just get rid of the socks and shoes! Turning barefoot is very comforting.
The shavings support the sole.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Bob,
Yeah..And how does a 1/2 inch skew chisel sticking out of the top of the foot feel?
Nope, I wear shoes in my shop, all the time.
Zolton * Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Zolton,
Sorry.
Guess it's time to fettle the sense of humor.
Best of luck with your new lathe. Just got a 3/4 HP motor for my oldie.
How sweet it is!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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