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If I use files to make my blade, should I be using any safety equipment like eyewear? I know it doesn't produce dust like the belt grinder but didn't know if it put out enough to even worry about it.
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Do you use safety equipment if you are doing manual filing of the blade?
- Thread starter johnnyKnives
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I always wear safety glasses and gloves when in the shop. Even when filing. I have gone to rub my eye only to find out I had something stuck on my finger that is now lodged in my eye. Grinding isn't the only hazard for your eyes, things go flying when you hit stuff with a hammer too.
-Xander
-Xander
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Personally, I probably wouldn't if I were just draw filing. That being said, wearing glasses while in the shop isn't a bad habit to get into, and I need to be more vigilant about that in my own shop.
As for gloves, I'd rather get a sliver in my finger than have my whole hand wrapped around any one of the several rotating machines in my shop. Granted, that's not going to be a problem with draw filing, but that's one habit I don't want to get into.
As for gloves, I'd rather get a sliver in my finger than have my whole hand wrapped around any one of the several rotating machines in my shop. Granted, that's not going to be a problem with draw filing, but that's one habit I don't want to get into.
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I have had a sliver pop off the blade when filing and stick right into my eye. So yes wear your eye protection. Other stuff is kind of personal preference IMHO.
james terrio
Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
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Eye protection, always. Respirator? When in doubt, YES. It can't possibly hurt. Ventilation, heck yeah.
Gloves? NEVER. If it's too hot to hold, you need longer tongs. If it's too cold to feel your fingers, shut down till it warms up.
Well said, sir.
Gloves? NEVER. If it's too hot to hold, you need longer tongs. If it's too cold to feel your fingers, shut down till it warms up.
Well said, sir.
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Have had this too, the file passing off the tip of the blade causes it to spring up and it will flick a filing right into your eye.
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I was JUST hand filing when I decided to do a quick debur with my dremel tool....I had to remove a piece of metal stuck in my iris later that night.... The sad part is I always wear safety glasses.... I felt like a idiot, but luckily no permanent damage....
Buy quality, comfortable safety glasses. Keep them clean and you'll hardly notice them.
Buy quality, comfortable safety glasses. Keep them clean and you'll hardly notice them.
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Strictly when working with files or sanding, not for machine work, would one of the wood carvers safety gloves be a good idea?
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2001342/Woodcarvers-Safety-Glove.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2001342/Woodcarvers-Safety-Glove.aspx
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I should note that I do not wear gloves when using any rotational machines. OP asked about manual working of a blade, which is mostly what I do. I find that when I am using my disc grinder gloves have saved my finger tips several times already, though. The step pulleys for my grinder are enclosed in a metal shield so the risk is low.
-Xander
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Fair enough. I still might worry about the gloves getting caught between the disk and a work table if it has one, but chances of that even happening are probably far less than that of getting them wrapped around a drill chuck, lathe, saw blade, or belt/pulley. I cringe every time I see somebody using a drill or a lathe with a pair of gloves on. Especially when they use that glove to clear the chips and swath from the piece while the drill is still running.
If I have to wear gloves, I make sure they are loose enough that they'll pull/drop right off if I need them to. None of those velcro or elastic wrist ties in the shop. Those are for pulling weeds and hauling hay bales.
One thing I have seen some makers do is cut the fingers out of a cheap pair of leather work gloves and tape them on. That way if anything were to get caught, you just lose the glove finger.
Personally, when it comes to machine work, I think a good set of calluses is just as handy as a set of gloves, and if you grind a finger tip off enough times, you eventually learn to be more careful.
Fair enough. I still might worry about the gloves getting caught between the disk and a work table if it has one, but chances of that even happening are probably far less than that of getting them wrapped around a drill chuck, lathe, saw blade, or belt/pulley. I cringe every time I see somebody using a drill or a lathe with a pair of gloves on. Especially when they use that glove to clear the chips and swath from the piece while the drill is still running.
If I have to wear gloves, I make sure they are loose enough that they'll pull/drop right off if I need them to. None of those velcro or elastic wrist ties in the shop. Those are for pulling weeds and hauling hay bales.
One thing I have seen some makers do is cut the fingers out of a cheap pair of leather work gloves and tape them on. That way if anything were to get caught, you just lose the glove finger.
Personally, when it comes to machine work, I think a good set of calluses is just as handy as a set of gloves, and if you grind a finger tip off enough times, you eventually learn to be more careful.
I stick with my calluses.... They work fine and if there's a problem- they'll get tougher as used
Glasses- ALWAYS...
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