Safety of machines without enclosures?

[plasmator]

As the owner of a new Syil X5, I've been somewhat concerned about the safety of an open machine without full enclosure. As there are a lot of machines without enclosures running out there, I thought I might ask - is this something to really be worried about? My main concern is what might happen if a tool breaks or comes loose.

I do always wear safety glasses and am very careful of where my hands are, but I am wondering if flying tool shards can cause serious laceration, or even puncture wounds. Does anyone have experience with this?

[Cruiser]

Enclosures are for the keeping of chips and coolant splash within the confines of the machine. Any safety advantages are secondary and coincidental.

[LeeWay]

When I break a tool either on the mill or the router, they pretty much stay close. Usually done by cutting too deep or hitting a clamp.

Now on a lathe, if you break a tool, it likely means you have hit the chuck. It would need a guard far worse than a mill against tool breakage. As mentioned though, my enclosures and guards are basically for coolant on the mill and chip guard on the router.

[kmrere42]

I will second the comment on chip control.


Spent many hours next to a DeVlieg 48-3b on very hot days in coveralls zipped up tight to my neck, hat, face-shield, and long cuff leather gloves. I would get a hot aluminum shower with every pass of the cutter.


Isn't this supposed to be therapeutic ???


Paul


Oh, yea. Just forgot... I did have a drill snap and bounce a piece of it off of my forehead. Had my safety glasses on... started using a face-shield much more after that...