Hi, I was very fortunate enough to have won a set of Easy Wood turning tools in our last raffle. I have purchased a bionic face shield. I will be using a Shopsmith for a lathe, mark7.This comes with a  spurred drive center, Cup style dead center, standard lathe tool rest, and lathe tail stock. Any other safety items (leather apron etc...), or tools/set-ups you may recommend, I’m anxious to hear them. Thank you. Artie

Well first thing to decide is what are you going to try and make?  Or maybe start with some basics and turn say dowels then spindles?  You have enough to get started on dowels and spindles without additional tooling.  

I think I’d pick up a live center for the tail stock. It will allow you to work a little closer to that end of the turning if necessary. Don’t forget the dust mask for sanding 

So other than the face shield, no extra safety items needed? I own two dust mask with replaceable filters, should take care of my needs for any sanding. Leather apron? Or is this for using a lathe for metal? Cause I’m getting ready to turn a 2x4 into some sort of a spindle, just for the sake of doing it LOL.  

LOL 2x4 that seems a bit risky might have chunks flyin off at ya.  Home Depot sells little pieces that are 1 inch square by 30 inches long that's what I started on.

Cloth apron would be fine Artie.

Leather aprons don't breath well and can get kind of hot to wear.

Not a turner myself but I think you might consider cutting the 2 X 4's into 2 x 2's for starters.

I just want to make sure there isn’t anything from a safety point of view I need to get, or from a Shopsmith point of view.

With all this advice, it sounds as if you have it covered, Artie.  Like Lew said, I would get a live center and Shopsmith uses a #2 Morse Taper.  I have been using the same one for about 15 years.  I do take it out from time to time and drop some #10 oil in it and allow it to stand overnight with the tape upright.  I don't know if it helps, but I like to think so.  Also, any cloth apron that comes up to your neck will do.  

 

Normally, while rounding, I start at the lowest speed.  Once it is rounded, I crank up the speed.  I would practice rounding first, then making coves and progress on to beads.  And, try rounding over the end on the tail stock.  I can't wait to see your starting.  Good questions and keep them coming.  

 

Oh, on our tail stock, there is a set screw to allow for the adjustment.  The first time you set up, you will want to move the quill with the drive spur to where it almost touches the center of the dead center.  Align them and tighten down the set screw in the tail stock.  You will be good to go.  Face shield is a must for several reasons. I had a pen to fly off recently and hit my face shield because I forgot to tighten up the chuck.  Duh!  

I will add that a live center is a must . I do not know of anyone turning on a dead center nowadays.

Might want a faceplate or a chuck also. . Sounds like you are covered

Sometimes I will wear a glove on my left hand, the one close to the rest. Some of the dust coming off hard woods can be very hot.

Well  in the vein of DON'T BE LYNNE YAMAGUCHI  (see the pdf  http://lynneyamaguchi.com/Yamaguchi_SafetyMatters.pdf  )  You9 might get yourself something more than a face shield.  The energy  stored in spinning wood is considerable and a breakaway hunk of wood can crush your skill  fracture your orbital socket and drive little chunks of  bone into the eye and brain.

 

I wear a hockey helmet with the steel cage mask when turning something that may have  a weak spot. and  you'd be surprised at how many weak spots there can be.

I know people who use riot gear.

 

 and speed 

Turning speed formula

 

According to the late & great Dale Nish …(May he RIP)... his upper limit safe turning speed rule of thumb, …. defined as the maximum safe turning speed RPM, is equal to 9000, divided by the bowl's diameter. (The 9000 number is not RPM, but a derived safety constant number that is generally agreed upon by many turners.)

 

 

3 minutes ago, Cliff said:

According to the late & great Dale Nish …(May he RIP)... his upper limit safe turning speed rule of thumb, …. defined as the maximum safe turning speed RPM, is equal to 9000, divided by the bowl's diameter. (The 9000 number is not RPM, but a derived safety constant number that is generally agreed upon by many turners.)

 

Thanks, Cliff!

On 8/10/2020 at 11:12 PM, Gerald said:

I will add that a live center is a must . I do not know of anyone turning on a dead center nowadays.

Might want a faceplate or a chuck also. . Sounds like you are covered

...Need to add a live center to my list as well.

I remember changing over to a live center. Much better.