Philip Poburka on mon 8 may 00
Electric 'Bench-Grinders' are a fairly common fixture of many
studios/potteries I have visited. Less common , is the practice of correct
precautions in their use . The essence of which, is this: DO NOT STAND IN
LINE WITH THE WHEEL WHEN THE MACHINE HAS JUST BEEN TURNED ON !!!(Nor permit
any one else to be in line with an accelerating grinding wheel.)
If a wheel becomes in some way cracked,( perhaps having been bumped or run
into when moving something about the shop,) you wont see the crack, and it
might not have been you who ran into,or bumped it. The next time the wheel
begins to revolve, it can come apart as it comes up to speed, and the flying
chunks of broken wheel can injure or kill you.
ALLWAYS STAND TO THE SIDE, AND MAKE SURE THE PATH IN LINE WITH THE WHEEL IS
CLEAR OF BEINGS, AND IMPORTANT ARTIFACTS.
I have had wheels explode, and it was as they were comeing up to speed. I
understand from others that it has happened to them. I have never seen or
heard of one fragmenting after it was up to speed, but only as it were
comeing up to speed. Please consider this simple precaution as worth doing,
wheels DO explode !!! Better that you live to tell the tale!
Sincerely,
Philip Poburka
Las Vegas, Nevada
Philip Poburka on mon 8 may 00
Electric 'Bench-Grinders' are a fairly common fixture of many
studios/potteries I have visited. Less common , is the practice of correct
precautions in their use . The essence of which, is this: DO NOT STAND IN
LINE WITH THE WHEEL WHEN THE MACHINE HAS JUST BEEN TURNED ON !!!(Nor permit
any one else to be in line with an accelerating grinding wheel.)
If a wheel becomes in some way cracked,( perhaps having been bumped or run
into when moving something about the shop,) you wont see the crack, and it
might not have been you who ran into,or bumped it. The next time the wheel
begins to revolve, it can come apart as it comes up to speed, and the flying
chunks of broken wheel can injure or kill you.
ALLWAYS STAND TO THE SIDE, AND MAKE SURE THE PATH IN LINE WITH THE WHEEL IS
CLEAR OF BEINGS, AND IMPORTANT ARTIFACTS.
I have had wheels explode, and it was as they were comeing up to speed. I
understand from others that it has happened to them. I have never seen or
heard of one fragmenting after it was up to speed, but only as it were
comeing up to speed. Please consider this simple precaution as worth doing,
wheels DO explode !!! Better that you live to tell the tale!
Sincerely,
Philip Poburka
Las Vegas, Nevada
Richard Jeffery on tue 9 may 00
You will probably find that there is legislation concerning the safe use of
bench grinders in industry - might be some useful guidelines there.
In particular, in addition to Philip's comments, you should always wear
protective goggles to protect from flying particles and sparks, always rest
the tool on the tool rest with the handle below the edge to be sharpened
(otherwise you risk the tool being dragged under the wheel, your hand with
it - especially if the tool is small and the tool rest not adjusted for it),
never use the side of wheel, however tempting the flat surface is - this may
cause the stresses that might make the wheel fail. Guards are normally
fitted to prevent sparks flying up - make sure they are adjusted to do
that.
It's a pain, but so are abraded knuckles. If you're really worried, wear an
old pair of leather gardening gloves.
Two more things:
- the wheel if properly guarded will send a shower of sparks down and
back - apart from the need to ensure there is nothing flammable there, there
will over time be an accumulation of black dust (iron oxide?), so if the
wall surface is important to you, protect it.
- wheels need to be "dressed" to stay cutting cleanly. You can buy either
a hard stone, a metal wheel, or a diamond-tipped implement to do this.
Apart form truing up the surface, it "opens up" the abrasive material by
removing smaller particles - the wheel will cut cleaner, so cooler, and risk
less damage to the steel. This doesn't need to be done very frequently.
Richard
Bournemouth UK
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of Philip Poburka
Sent: 08 May 2000 21:30
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Sharpening Tools : Bench Grinders - Caution !!!
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Electric 'Bench-Grinders' are a fairly common fixture of many
studios/potteries I have visited. Less common , is the practice of correct
precautions in their use . The essence of which, is this: DO NOT STAND IN
LINE WITH THE WHEEL WHEN THE MACHINE HAS JUST BEEN TURNED ON !!!(Nor permit
any one else to be in line with an accelerating grinding wheel.)
If a wheel becomes in some way cracked,( perhaps having been bumped or run
into when moving something about the shop,) you wont see the crack, and it
might not have been you who ran into,or bumped it. The next time the wheel
begins to revolve, it can come apart as it comes up to speed, and the flying
chunks of broken wheel can injure or kill you.
ALLWAYS STAND TO THE SIDE, AND MAKE SURE THE PATH IN LINE WITH THE WHEEL IS
CLEAR OF BEINGS, AND IMPORTANT ARTIFACTS.
I have had wheels explode, and it was as they were comeing up to speed. I
understand from others that it has happened to them. I have never seen or
heard of one fragmenting after it was up to speed, but only as it were
comeing up to speed. Please consider this simple precaution as worth doing,
wheels DO explode !!! Better that you live to tell the tale!
Sincerely,
Philip Poburka
Las Vegas, Nevada
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