Are your tools dangerous?

[Tom Trees]

The one that surprises many, including myself, is the grinder coming up to speed and the wheel exploding into shrapnel.
BillD

I've got scolded for that before, glazed wheels that is, what said to heat up the stone, which is one way for that to happen apparently.
IIRC, (don't quote me on this) some say you can hear when a wheel has a fracture, not that I've ever tried tapping one.
It kinda seems like a good way to make that happen to me...

That said, I've never even looked to see some evidence of the damage an exploding grinding wheel can do,
as I suppose it likely could be the same deal with tablesaws...some folks coming away less scathed than others.
I've read of someone cutting fillets before, and the offcut harpooning someone's thumb off, which is likely somewhat of a freak incident,
i.e not so common, nevermind an amputation.

I'd sure find it interesting to read, whether this is huge grinding wheels we're talking about, where safety goggles aren't enough,
or if indeed someone could potentially be killed by their 6 or 8 inch wheeled grinder.

Not trying to make one trawl through the net to find something, a brief recollection would do.
Cheers for posting Bill, I'll keep that in mind to stand off to one side on startup, as I can't recall that particular aspect said before.

Tom

[Bill Dufour]

Only time I almost saw it was cutoff wheel in a skillsaw. Wheel had ben dropped and a small divot taken out. Started it up and it shook a bit but not crazy. Bounded up and down in the cut. It did not smooth out just got worse and worse.
Bill D

[glenn bradley]

My tools are way more safe than something like an automobile. That being said they are, of course, used with a degree of risk directly proportional to your training, experience, and personality . Many a macho dingbat has been laid low by reality infringing on his version of the world. I forget how many folks are seen for injuries from clawing themselves in the face with a framing hammer per year. A nice sharp chisel will open you up easily with no electrons involved whatsoever . . . except maybe for the overhead lights . Anyone who has worked with multi-ton machines has a serious respect for physics or has a nice obituary in their home town paper. I once nicked my finger with a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. Six months later I did it again, same finger, same spot, showing someone how I did it the first time . . . talk about embarrassing. Know your tools. Know your self. Rely on your training and stay safe out there.

[Cameron Wood]

Screwdrivers are responsible for a lot of ER visits.

[Jerry Bruette]

The one that surprises many, including myself, is the grinder coming up to speed and the wheel exploding into shrapnel.
BillD

I've got scolded for that before, glazed wheels that is, what said to heat up the stone, which is one way for that to happen apparently.
IIRC, (don't quote me on this) some say you can hear when a wheel has a fracture, not that I've ever tried tapping one.
It kinda seems like a good way to make that happen to me...

That said, I've never even looked to see some evidence of the damage an exploding grinding wheel can do,
as I suppose it likely could be the same deal with tablesaws...some folks coming away less scathed than others.
I've read of someone cutting fillets before, and the offcut harpooning someone's thumb off, which is likely somewhat of a freak incident,
i.e not so common, nevermind an amputation.

I'd sure find it interesting to read, whether this is huge grinding wheels we're talking about, where safety goggles aren't enough,
or if indeed someone could potentially be killed by their 6 or 8 inch wheeled grinder.

Not trying to make one trawl through the net to find something, a brief recollection would do.
Cheers for posting Bill, I'll keep that in mind to stand off to one side on startup, as I can't recall that particular aspect said before.

Tom

I've never seen a grinding wheel blow up myself, but I've seen pictures it's impressive and scary.

When I was in the Navy our ship was contacted for aid to a civilian commercial ship. A grinding wheel blew up striking the operator in the head. Before we could get to the other ship they cancelled the call for aid. The person who got struck died. Even though we never saw the accident sight it was a wakeup call.

As for "ringing" a wheel before installing it, that's something that's so easy to do I think a six year old could do it and if you don't you're playing with everyone's safety. You also need to have your tool rest and tongue guard properly adjusted for safety reasons.