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SAFETY FIRST

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Ray Hari

September 23, 2020

Modern wood turning requires you to use power tools that are inherently unsafe if you do not follow directions and take safety precautions. A good resource for safety tips is the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) website. They have a page on Woodturning Safety. To avoid injury to yourself and others around you please educate yourself with all the safety guidelines to follow while turning wood.

A note about Fractal burning

For some reason or other in the history of modern wood turning some wood turners got into doing fractal burning on their turnings. Some see it as an art, and others do it for monetary reasons to sell turnings with fractals that may fetch some extra cash. Whatever be the reason the verdict is in. People have died doing it. These were people who did not understand the dangers involved with electric current or were a little careless with their contraptions. AAW has deemed that fractal (a.k.a Litchenberg) burning kills people. Please read and understand the American Association of Woordturners warnings about Litchenberg (Fractal) burning.

SVW's stance on fractal burning as part of Show-n-Tell

SVW does not have the expertise to educate people about the dangers of electric current and the many ways something can go wrong when doing fractal burning. We do not encourage any of our members into doing fractal burning on their turnings. We do not conduct any demos or activities that involve fractal burning or the tools used for fractal burning. When ever we get a chance we do talk about the dangers of fractal burning and bring to the members  attention the AAW stance on fractal burning. Once in a while some or other member may bring a turning for Show-n-Tell that has some fractal burning on them. We have not discouraged the members from showing those pieces if they brought that piece to discuss the other aspects of that particular turning. As such in this website you may find some turnings in the Show-n-Tell and member galleries that may display some fractal burning.

Requirements for new members

We require everyone applying for membership to Silicon Valley Woodturners to first read and understand all Safety Guidelines as set forth in the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) website. Safety is your responsibility.

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Be prepared for accidents in the shop

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“As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.” - Mel Brooks (and requoted by Mike Lanahan)

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Jonathan Katz-Moses

Serious Injury

Jan 31, 2021

Jonathan Katz-Moses

Serious Injury - What emergency trauma medical workers need you to know - Shop/Woodworking/Jobsite/DIY

Serious Injury
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Sharon Doughtie

Lathe Safety

Jan 2, 2017

Sharon Doughtie

Sharon Doughtie talks about lathe safety.

Lathe Safety
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Bob Gerenser

As I see it

Sep 4, 2013

Bob Gerenser

In As I see it, Bob talks about the perils that may happen to wood turners and says that we should not get paralyzed just because it could happen. Use of common sense and good safety practices can avert such incidents.

As I see it
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Anonymous

On the perils of Personal Protective Equipment

Jun 2, 2011

Anonymous

On the perils of Personal Protective Equipment
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Mitch Matlow / Howard Cohen

Fire safety is common sense

Mar 6, 2008

Mitch Matlow / Howard Cohen

Safety in the shop includes taking proper precautions to avoid fire. Mitch Matlow from the San Jose Fire Department gave a presentation on safety in the shop.

Fire safety is common sense
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Patrick Sullivan M.D.

First Aid In The Shop

Jul 5, 2017

Patrick Sullivan M.D.

Patrick Sullivan MD, who is also a woodworker gave a talk on how to do First Aid in the shop.

First Aid In The Shop
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Mike Lanahan

Surprise at the lathe

Sep 5, 2013

Mike Lanahan

Mike talks about surprise or getting startled while working on the lathe.

Surprise at the lathe
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Mike Lanahan

AAW Suggested Lathe Safety Rules

Aug 4, 2011

Mike Lanahan

Mike itemizes some of the important safety precautions to take while working at your lathe.

AAW Suggested Lathe Safety Rules
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Howard Cohen

Health Matters

Apr 2, 2009

Howard Cohen

Health Matters
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Harry Levin

Safety First

Sep 6, 2007

Harry Levin

Harry talks about the face shield that saved his face from an exploding Acacia bowl.

Safety First
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