Turning at a Safe Speed on the Wood Lathe Sam Angelo

[@mgorrow]

Sam, thanks for reminding us to turn at an appropriate speed. All are good tips. When I turn off my lathe at the end of the day, I always dial the speed selector to zero. When I start it the nest morning, I first check to see that it is one zero before starting. This prevents starting the lathe at a very high speed because you were turning a pen or finial yesterday but today you are back to turning large bowls.

[@lynbren]

You're right about new turners just not knowing what speed. I remember my first accident right after I got my lathe. I knew someone who had access to a machine shop, so I had him make my a set of flat jaws. Well I got them and mounted them on the chuck, screws were too short but no problem right....wrong. I got a catch and one of the jaws actually came off and hit me in the face, no face shield.. I was very fortunate to only be turning at 600 but still rang my bell pretty good. Come a long way since then, thanks for helping in my journey, I learn a lot from you as well as others. Keep up the videos, and thanks again.

[@vrb1960]

Thanks Sam for staying true to sharing and giving valuable instruction to those of us who have less experience. It is very discouraging to watch some of the old original you tubers who have trimmed their shows to be mostly infomercials. I have no problem with the great American way of free market enterprise,but I think some of the woodworking community might consider their content carefully as you always do. Thanks, Brad

[@tmikeporter]

Sam, I very much appreciate your focus on safety. As a beginning turner, I am approaching this craft carefully and am taking your tips on board. Keep it up!

[@mhaz49]

Sam, great message. I recently reset the belts on my lathe to the mid-speed range. I wanted more torque for some drilling work, but I also found the lower speeds give me more control. The half dozen pieces I've made since the change have been easier on my tools and more fun to make. I almost always wear my face mask - even when sanding. I like the extra security it gives and lets anyone entering my shop know to be extra careful as some piece of machinery is running.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Mark Hazlewood I like to wear a respirator or my Trend air shield for both kinds of protection. Thanks Sam

[@robertaltic3395]

Thanks Sam, very informative and great reminder to respect the speed. Best, Bob

[@spwoodart]

Thanks for sharing. I'm all about safety and I really like to see safety videos out there. I really like your videos and your art pieces.

[@fredgraber9385]

Great video Sam, even for the seasoned turner. Been practicing left handed from one of your earlier videos and really finding that helpful for getting to some spots and also staying out of the line of fire. Thanks for sharing, Fred

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Good subject, Sam. I have tried them all and it can get intimidating and scary. We have to remember the readout is the shaft speed and not the lip of a bowl. Glad your dog was happy to see you back. cheers

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Lee Waterman Good point you make on the shaft speed. The rim can be really more dangerous. Sam

[@icespeckledhens]

Excellenty video and very useful advice for me starting out turning that is as soon as I make room for the lathe

[@wildwoodturns]

Great tips and topic Sam! As a rookie wood turner, that turns a lot of rather large out of round green wood, and someone that has a healthy respect for working around anything mechanical that rotates, my "rule of thumb" is to use the slowest speed I can that gives me the results I'm looking for. Setting aside production issues, if I can get a clean cut at say, 800 rpm, why risk 2800 rpm for the same result? That may change as I gain more experience but for now my "ROT" has kept me safe. And for those that feel they must turn at scary speeds, I recommend doing a Google search on "kinetic" energy, then take close look at that thin piece of plastic on their face shield. Sorry for all the wind. You make several excellent points on this video, thanks!

[@icespeckledhens]

+Rick Stonewood Arts I totally agree

[@georgeoliver9125]

As usual all good advice. I will miss visiting with you at the Yellowstone Woodturners Sym. in Billings as I need to care care of some business in Nevada which I need to conclude before the end of September. And we will open our winter home while we are there. If you get down near Mesquite in the next 6 months let me know. George

[@lenshandcraftedwoodsigns6033]

Thanks Sam for another great earning tip.

[@Barrysworkshop]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on rotational speed and safety. Your point about developing the technique both right and left handed is well taken. I am still a novice, but I'm trying to develop my skills both right and left handed, from the start. It slows me down and I have to really pay attention, of course, but that can be a good thing. I have already noticed some positions that are awkward to do right handed because of interference from the headstock, for example.

[@MikeWaldt]

Very sound advice Sam, I never did understand why many pen turners just wear protective glasses, and not a face shield, as you say something turning in excess of 3000 RPM, is going to do damage if it breaks off, however small. Thanks for the upload, I hope that people take heed. Take care Mike

[@paulg5163]

Hi Sam,just watched your video on safe speeds, when I first started turning I was told that the product of the diameter (in inches * the speed in RPM) should equal between 8 - 10,000. this would mean the max safe speed for an 8" bowl for example would be about 1250 RPM. it seem a fairly good place to start!As for turning right/left handed, I'm fortunate I spent many years working as a mechanic and had to learn to use both hands.your video as usual is great keep up the good workCheers, Paul

[@baconsoda]

Good, sensible, stuff Sam. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@gunterschone8402]

Instructional Video, Sam.That's true with the Face shield.I Wear a face shield also when turning, he told me well protected twice.I have namely been things flying toward my face

[@raymondherringbotn172]

This is a great video for me and other newbees. Thanks. 👍🏻😃

[@oldiron1223]

If you want a "heavy duty" face shield try fitting a clear tempered safety glass in a welders helmet. Not bullet prof but it's a lot heavier than a 20 mill piece of acrylic. My experience is more machine shop and metal turning so forgive my lack of wood knowledge. When we are working with metal we run the lathe slower when taking deep "roughing" cuts and at higher speeds when making fine "finishing" cuts. Would the same hold over when turning wood?

[@GeraldJensen]

Good advice Saw. I turn on a Nova 2024 that has a top speed of 5000rpm. The high speed is nice for friction finishing pens, but for anything else, I turn the speed down dramatically.

[@Zerostar369]

Good advice. Thanks. Have you ever thought about getting an external microphone setup for your video making?

[@SmallestWorkshopGH]

As a Woodturner who is suffering from terminal COPD and refuses to let the disease stop me from turning what we need is a manufacturer who can produce a combined face shield/respirator that would allow me to connect my O2 to it as I am oxygen dependant 24/7. But with out putting the obligatory huge price tag on it which happens when the word disabled is connected to anything.

[@tropifiori]

+Smallest Workshop (Geoff Harris) I have an Airmate Visor- It is a HEPA filter with an electric fan that blows air up under a face shield with a neck collar. The fractional oxygen concentration would drop when you entrain oxygen because of the high bias flow rate. I bet if you add 5-6 LPM O2 to the intake side you may maintain adequate SAO2. You could get an oximeter and check your oxygen saturations on it to see if it is adequate. It might help if you could sit on a stool and go slowly. This would keep you from breathing a lot of dust as well.You might give it a try. The other option would be to wear O2 cannula under a standard face shield. You could ask a pulmonologist about trans tracheal oxygen.Frank

[@icespeckledhens]

+Smallest Workshop (Geoff Harris) Well done for battling on and not letting your disease totally win. Its too easy to give up which sadly many do. Good luck

[@asfcharters1]

thanks for the video , excellent !!!!!

[@DavyKammer1234]

Sam I'm going to buy a big wood lathe for an upgrade of the one I have now. I can't decide between a 3hp 22 swig of a 2hp 18 swig heavy duty lathe. They are both grizzly lathes and I was just wondering what you think, I love to turn stuff like you. Good video

[@mitchellmanning7887]

Thanks for sharing

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I am with you, Sam on mostly faceshield but not 100%. Wearing a faceshield to chase threads on a small box a 300 rpm would just be silly.

[@WigWagWorkshop]

Hi Sam, I am new to the lathe, so I been watching and taking has much as I can when it comes to safety. Is there anything wrong with turning at slower speeds? I have a Mini Lathe, and only plan on small items like pens, tops, boxes, and small bowls under 10in. I am never in a hurry, has I enjoy the time in my workshop. Can I stay around 1500 - 1800? Except for finishing of course. Thank You for all your videos -Steven

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

I think that i a good approach. The smaller the item and especially the smaller diameter you can turn faster. I turn my pens at 4000. ALWAYS wear a face shield. A pen blank exploding at 4K is dangerous. The faster you turn, the cleaner the surface however. But yes you can turn most stuff at 1500 to 1800. You may change this as you become more experienced. I would never turn a 10 inch bowl that fast, maybe at 800-1000. So it does make a difference what you are turning. Sam

[@jerrytravis2850]

Remember, the speed is at Center Line of the lathe. The rim of the bowl is turning faster.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+Jerry TRAVICO Excellent point. I did not consider adding that. Sam

[@chrispyefinch4884]

I finally made my first little finials over the last 2 weeks, and it was the fastest I've ever turned something yet. About 1050 rpm. Probably should have been going faster but still a newbie.

[@WYOMINGWOODTURNER]

+chris Pyefinch Turn only as fast as you feel safe. Oddly, I think turning a pen or a finial requires a face shield ---- always. This can make you feel safer and you are safer. I turn my finials at maybe 2000 rpm. There is no need to turn them faster. I have several DVD's on finials. Watch a master----look at photos and that will make you better, Sam

[@JimE6243]

Good job Sam. JimE

[@tropifiori]

Good advice. I have launched more objects into a geosynchrynous orbit than NASA.

[@thebelgianwoodworker1739]

Nice intresting

[@wakelywanderer12]

Timely advice. My face shield recently saved me a trip to the doctor, and possibly my left eye. (Busted bowl) Learning on your own has a certain amount of extra risk.

[@Rich-on6fe]

I think what you're describing is a motorbike helmet.

[@Josef_R]

What happened to your face??? HAHAHHAHHHAAA, Yankees...you need the protection, huh? The beard will probably protect you anyway!