I have used 0000 steel wool for years on my lathe and it has performed good for me. I like it. Great smoother. Never had a problem with it. HOWEVER, I did a couple of weeks ago. While doing the final smoothing with it, it caught around the tailstock It began revolving at a high rate of speed and began to spread, hitting the lathe bed. Instant friction. Instant glowing red, instant fire. Fortunately for me.........it didn't catch any of the saw dust or fine dust on fire, I blew out the remaining flames.  That made me think about fire safety and that I did NOT have a fire extinguisher near. This could have been tragic.  I now have one in easy reach.......................DO YOU?

I have two. One on each end of my 24' long shop

Have had one in the shop for almost 20 years

all over the place to include purple K...

6 hours ago, Gerald said:

Have had one in the shop for almost 20 years

does it work???

Crazy! I dreamed about a shop fire last night, except it was my Dad's shop. Dreamed there was a little fire and I put it out but then there was a spot I missed so I put it out. Then, there was a spot I missed, etc. etc. While we're on the subject of steel wool, many people know steel wool  and a nine volt battery make an excellent fire starter when camping. What many people don't realize, it can work just as well with a battery charger that might happen to be on your  work bench.

 

Steve

Excellent point, Ron.

An extinguisher is a must have for the shop.

Mine have pressure gauges. If it's in the green, its good. IIRC, the label says to replace it after 12 years regardless. Doesn't say how long after 12 years, though.

5 hours ago, Stick486 said:

does it work???

Have not had to use it but probably needs a recharge. It is a commercial model out of a store.

4 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Mine have pressure gauges. If it's in the green, its good. IIRC, the label says to replace it after 12 years regardless. Doesn't say how long after 12 years, though.

just remember to turn the extinguisher upside down every so often to maintain chemical looseness..

if you think the chemicals are packed down in the cylinder while it's upside down rap the cylinder w/ a RUBBER mallet several times to loosen up the dry chemical...