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3. Additional Health & Safety Guidance for
Woodturning Lathes
Safe Operation
Familiarise yourself with the machine
• Machining operations using wood turning lathes have
a history of serious accidents. Most serious accidents
resulted from the work piece being thrown from the
lathe whilst turning. Other accidents can be caused
by loose clothing being drawn in to the rotating work
piece or hands becoming trapped between the rotating
work piece and fixed parts of the lathe.
2. Before switching the machine 'ON'
• Before attaching a work piece to a faceplate, always
prepare it to be as round as possible. This will minimise
vibration whilst turning. For further instructions please
see the section of this manual entitled Intended Use
of the Lathe & Basic Woodturning Instructions.
• Adjust the tool rest to the correct height and distance
from the work piece and check that all fixings are
secure.
• Check that the size of the work piece is within the
safe working capacities of the lathe as detailed in the
manual.
• Select the correct speed according to the size and type
of work piece.
The slowest speed is the safest speed to start any new
work piece.
• Always rotate the work piece by hand before starting
the lathe to ensure it does not come into contact with
the tool rest. If the work piece strikes the tool rest
during operation, it could be split and thrown from the
lathe.
• When using a faceplate always ensure the work piece
is well secured with screws of a suitable diameter and
length.
• Remove any loose knots and bark from the work piece
before mounting it to the lathe.
• If mounting a work piece between centres, always
ensure that the tailstock is correctly adjusted and fully
secure. Check that the locking handle for the tailstock
barrel is fully tightened.
3. Whilst using the lathe
• Do not allow the turning tool to dig in to the work
piece, which could result in the work piece splitting
or being thrown from the lathe. Always position
the tool rest at the correct height. For further
instructions please see the section of this manual
entitled Intended Use of the Lathe & Basic
Woodturning Instructions.
• Before starting to machine a work piece that is off
8
centre or not perfectly round, always set the machine
to the slowest speed and gradually increase speed as
the work piece becomes more balanced as material is
removed. Running the lathe too fast could cause the
work piece to be thrown from the lathe or the turning
tool to be snatched from your hands.
• Always store turning tools in a safe place away
from the work area of the lathe. Never reach over
the rotating work piece to reach for turning tools or
accessories.
• Never attempt to adjust the position of the tool rest
whilst the machine is running. Always switch the
machine 'OFF' and wait until the work piece has
stopped rotating before attempting any adjustments.
• Do not mount a work piece that contains excessive
splits or loose knots or bark.
• Keep firm hold and control of the turning tool at all
times. Use extreme caution when knots and voids are
exposed in the work piece.
• Finish all hand sanding before removing the work
piece from the lathe. Do not exceed the speed
used for the last cutting operation. For further
instructions please see the section of this manual
entitled Intended Use of the Lathe & Basic
Woodturning Instructions.
• Do not attempt to remount a work piece that has
been turned on a faceplate unless you are deliberately
turning eccentric work. You cannot remount faceplate
turned work and expect it to run true, as the timber
will have expanded or contracted.
• Do not remount a work piece that has been turned
between centres if the original centres have been
altered or removed, unless you are deliberately turning
eccentric work.
• If re-mounting any work piece, always set the machine
to the slowest speed and gradually increase the speed
as the work piece becomes more balanced as material
is removed.
• Use extra caution when mounting a work piece that
has been turned between centres to a faceplate, or
when mounting a faceplate turning between centres,
for subsequent machining operations. Always ensure
that the lathe is set to the slowest speed before
switching ON.
• Do not attempt to perform any machining operations
when holding the work piece by hand.
• Do not mount a reamer, milling cutter, wire wheel,
buffing wheel, drill bit or any other tool to the
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