And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these, EMPTY GLASSES
I was watching DIY Network’s program Cool Tools, specifically, the episode on woodworking tools.
A representative from POWERMATIC was showing off their top-of-the-line woodworking lathe: an 800 lb. cast iron Goliath with lots of bells and whistles. One neat thing was a hollow tailstock, apparently airtight, with a door that opened into a compartment.
“Oh, neat,” I thought. “You can keep finishes or sandpaper in there without it getting dusty!”
The POWERMATIC representative smirked, “We say this compartment is to hold your favorite beverage. What that beverage is, we won’t say.”
Whoa, wait! What are we talking about? Why the circumlocution? It’s not infant’s blood, right? It’s not cat urine. It’s clearly an intoxicating beverage that he’s suggesting you hide. While working on a full-size lathe. Is he insane?
They really need to send woodworkers to tool conventions, not just salesmen. This has totally turned me off of POWERMATIC. Drinking alcohol while turning is a good way to lose a limb. Talk to a turner, and he will give you a list of what you want while turning: a full face shield, ideally one with positive air pressure; long sleeves that button or tape tightly at the wrist; a full apron; something to cover the opening of your socks; no loose jewelry or hair; super-sharp tools; a safety kill switch; etc. One thing he will not suggest is that you need to drink a fucking beer.
Man. I’m thinking about writing a letter of complaint.
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March 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Here is a list of lathe manufacturers.