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Woodturning Lathe

Safety Precautions

  • Tie back loose clothing and long hair
  • Remove rings and gloves
  • Clean around the machine, ensuring nothing can hit the work or machine during operation
  • Wear the appropriate PPE for what you are working with:
    • Face guard
    • Facemask for Resin, MDF, and toxic materials
    • Apron
  • Check the wood/material for defects
  • Remove unneeded accessories

Post Use

  • Clean the work area
  • Clean the lathe
  • Remove any standing sawdusk from the iron surfaces.
  • Re-attach the tailstock and tool rest if removed.
  • Remove the chuck / drive center / tailstock center
  • Reset the speed to the lowest level.

Lathe Maintenance

  • Clean the rails with WD40
  • Spray on WD40

  • Wipe clean, try to remove any wood resin staining.

  • Clean the tailstock with WD40

  • Move the tailstock forward and back, spraying WD40 and working it in.

  • Remove the live center and clean off any excess WD40.

  • Dust around the chuck mount and tailstock

  • Ensure that no dust is stuck inbetween the the chuck's jaws.

  • Check the belts

  • Belts should be tight, with no obvious cracking on the outside.

Tool Maintenance

  • Clean off any sawdust
  • Wipe clean with either a wet wipe or WD40 on a rag.
  • Use a diamond file to treat the tool's sharp edges.
  • If the tool has a nick or dent in the cutting edge, then treat the tool on the bench grinder.

DO NOTS

  • Use GT85 around the lathe (could interfere with woodworking finishes)