Why I wear gloves when I grind...

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
20,978
glove.jpg


I used to grind bare-handed (especially when grinding hardened blades) so that I could keep track of the temperature of the steel and have a bit more control - compared to standard "work gloves".

I kept getting zapped, so I went to the local hardware store and found smaller, more fitted gloves that would allow me to "feel the work" while I'm doing it.

So far (knock on wood) I haven't had any finger burns, lacerations, etc. because the gloves take the hit first. Then, once they've worn through, I buy another pair ~ $3.

These are sold as "electrician's gloves" and come with a breathable backside and a molded rubber palm. I get less "shocks", I can still tell when the steel gets too hot, I can do somewhat detailed grinding, and I figure I've saved a few layers of skin in the process.

Just wanted to share. ;)

Dan
 
I used to grind bare-handed
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Is that your hands before gloves?!:barf: :barf: :barf:

Yuck, I can see why you bought some.

Steve


PS - please ignore me today, bad day at work. Seriously, thanks for the idea. Parttime grinders never develop the tough hide of the professionals.
 
I suppose its alright if your not using a work rest or anything. If you've got a work rest or anything on the grinder I sure wouldn't do it. A burned knuckle is nothing compared to what will happen when the grinder pulls your gloveed hand down between the wheel and the rest.:eek:
 
Dan are you getting shocked or burnt? I wear those when buffing to prevent shock and they grip small parts great.
 
It is MUCH more dangerous to wear gloves than to grind without them.
 
While on the topic of getting shocked......as soon as winter rolled in and the air got cool and dry last fall, I was getting snapped harder that I ever remember before. At times I could feel the arc of electricity jump thru the sole of my shoes into the concrete floor and not only when I touched something grounded.

Unrelated to getting the bejezzus shocked out of me when grinding....I bought a new pair of safety shoes to wear in the shop. As soon as I put on the new shoes...the shocking torture went away. No more shocking...at all! I learned that these new shoes have some kind of anti-static performance rating for the electronic/semiconductor industry. The soles are conductors which keep me grounded and eliminate static charge build-up. They are made by RedWing.

Sincerely,
Rob
 
I watch the static electricity arc between the steel and the frame of my grinder, that is except when it goes from my hands to the grinder.
 
I wear gloves all the time and am perfectly safe because I refuse to use a work rest or any gadget within a foot or so of the wheel that can create a pinch point. It is called "freehand grinding".
 
I don't have a workrest and have never worn gloves, but my hands look like crap too. ;) However, after my last accident with a 36-grit belt I decided to wear a pair of butt-ugly gloves to profile with that my ex-motocross racer friend gave me. I just hope nobody sees me in them. :D
 
I wear gloves. Always have. Never had even a close call with it getting pinched or caught in the machine in any way. IMO wearing gloves makes great sense if you want to keep your hands in decent shape. The only time I ever get hurt is when I'm stupid enough not to wear them. Bravo to you, Dan K. :D
 
I don't wear gloves at any time, except when molding kydex. Sometimes I grind with a work rest, sometimes without.

I generally wrap the ends of my fingers with a product called "vet wrap." Some folks call it "coban" or several other trade names. It's a type of rubbery gauze that is adhesive on one side. This gives me some protection from heat and sharp edges without the bulk of most gloves and no chance of getting caught on anything. You can get "vet wrap" from Tractor Supply.
 
Yeah used to wesr gloves until the belt caught the glove above the blade and rolled my thumb into the rest. got a pretty good flat grind on my thumb.
if you use gloves and have a rest on, The belt will get you sooner or later.I use a dip bucket to cool my blades now.
Take Care
TJ
 
Most of my grinding is "freehand" and I do use a #10 can filled with water to "dip"...

I keep my tool rest about 1.5 to 2 inches away from the platen most of the time. I'm probably the odd man out on this one...
 
Originally posted by pendentive

I keep my tool rest about 1.5 to 2 inches away from the platen most of the time.
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:eek: Dan
you got enough room for half you're hand in there :(
send pictures when it happens..:footinmou :)


edited to add

I've had a blade catch and destroy an eight inch wheel
I was lucky I wasn't using a rest because if it bounced of from it I think I would have been wearing it
inside me somewhere. it went to the floor. it bruised my fingers in good shape and if it spun it just right
it could have taken a good junk of a finger at least..:(
 
Dan, you was LUCKY with the wheel mishap,fortunately! Except for the bruises,of course. Sometimes,the wheels blow up during a mishap. B-A-D! Getting shot with wheel chunks and the steel could be worse than an ER trip.
 
John this was a belt grinder wheel it screwed up the rubber on it.

I'm sure you're talking about a stone wheel,,
that is BAD news for-sure when one of those
blows up and catchs you..:eek: :(
 
Originally posted by pendentive
I keep my tool rest about 1.5 to 2 inches away from the platen most of the time.
Click to expand...

Whoa! Hehe

:D

I keep my work rest right up to the belt. It's usually spittin' and sparkin' as I grind. I have never got anything caught between - blade or GLOVED hand. Hey each to his own. I won't argue the right way here. Ever touch your knuckle to the edge of a running micron film belt? It'll lay you to the bone! It happened to me, and I use my gloves from now on. All I know is from a lifetime of working on machinery, I've never seen or heard of any accident caused by a gloved hand. I feel safer with mine on, and at the end of the day when I relax with a cold one, I can dream of blades and fire, and not be nursing my bloody knuckles.
 
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