lathe chuck gaurds

[swartling]

Anyone know or or have a good lathe chuck gaurd design? I am looking to fabricate some. Facory built are just too expensive.

Thanks.

[handlewanker]

Hi swart, the last time I came across a chuck guard being used was in 1960 when I served my time. Since then I've seen/used a variety of lash-ups that are dodgy to say the least.
Two designs come to mind. The first and the easiest is a round steel bar, about 1-1/2" diam, with a flat bracket welded to it and bolted to the back of the head stock.
The bar projects across the back of the chuck, clearing it by about 4" to allow for extended jaws on the 4 jaw.
A bush, about 6" long, is a sliding fit on this bar.
Last a curved 1/8" sheet steel guard is attached to the bush, which is the pivot to allow the guard to swing up and down. A stop pin on the bar keeps the guard from falling down onto the chuck when down.
The sheet steel guard has a 1" flange round both edges. It's simple and works well.
The other design is similar in mounting except that the guard is made in three parts and telescopes back into itself instead of swinging up.
I prefer the swing up type as it is easier to use and doesn't get damaged and full of swarf. Also it's easier to make and lighter.
One other design is attached to the back of the swarf guard and looks a bit square and also swings up and back.
I keep meaning to make one for my old lathe, as soon as I get a ROUND TUIT.
Ian.

[swartling]

Thanks for the ideas, kind of sounds like what I had in mind. We got the joy of an OSHA inspection a few days ago. And for some odd reason they thought that this time was a good time to cite us for not having chuck gaurds on our lathes. 3 years ago they were just fine with out them, but now we gotta have them. Anyway, time to build four chuck gaurds