Jointing with Latex dipped gloves

Hi all.

Just wondering what the 'real world' thoughts are in regard to using a jointer while wearing sticky gloves?

I realize it is very well identified as bad practice, however I wore gloves for the first time the other day and I was really impressed with the much greater control they provided in driving smooth and otherwise slippery dressed stock.

I see it in 2 ways.

Risk of accident is much* lower as I can 'drive' stock with far less pressure with the extra grip provided by the gloves, greatly reducing the chance of them slipping forward on the infeed side, and then limiting the distance they would move in-case of a slip due to the lower force I use to push the stock.

Consequence is potentially higher as glove gets dragged in, taking my arm with it

(*I genuinely thing my risk is essentially nil with or without gloves due to my technique and respect I have for tungsten knives. If i thought there was a risk I would save my fingers and buy my furniture from Ikea)

However, I have pretty sound technique, and the tight fitting gloves wont catch on anything they shouldn't.

Do people think I am dumb?
Or am I the only one who has done this and I should feel lucky to be still able to count to 10?

Cheers, Steve.

I haven't tried power-jointing with gloves, yet, but I have nearly lost a digit while belt grinding and using a drill press with gloves - both extremely painful accidents that I was quick and strong enough to avoid involving any muscles or bones.
I think that the jointer blades are turning so fast and typically are sharp enough that whatever meat managed to get involved would be cleanly and rapidly removed. Kevlar stitched gloves may however be more complicated.

If it was me I would not joint just wearing gloves.

My approach to jointing is to NEVER let a hand cross the line of the cutters without the use of something significant between the wood and my hands i.e. push sticks or grippers.
I say this from the point of view of having taken 5mm off my left ring finger with a small jointer some 38 years ago

Grippers are probably the safest way for most stock although they become tricky to use for thin pieces.
I have several of the Timbecon grippers which use soft rubber foam, and a hulking home made one that uses 80 grit sandpaper.
All work really well.

I never try to push timber using a push stick on a flat surface through a blade.
The push sticks are either used to provide side or down pressure of the wood against fences or tables, or using notched push stick to push from the back of the work piece.

I was thinking you could cut the fingers off the gloves and attach these to the ends of push sticks for better grip.

I use the latex dipped gloves for everything. It does increase the risk of severe injury around tools like the jointer and drill press because the gloves are fairly tight fitting, they r not tight enough to just shear off as the jointer knives touch them. And they can get wrapped around a drill press easily. I use the gloves because it gives me the same level of grip or control over the workpiece for less effort.

Rule #1: if power is supplied to the machine, dont touch the parts which eat meat. When touching blades to change them, isolate the power first.

I wouldn't risk it.
Get yourself some of these
Attachment 399365

:iagree:

Two of those came with my jointer and hang off it to remind me to use them

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chesand

:iagree:

Two of those came with my jointer and hang off it to remind me to use them

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My jointer came with a pair of those. Is it a sign?

When I use the Jointer I try to use pads to lift my hands from the work piece or try to use a push block at the end of the piece. The push block has a small piece of wood glued on which acts like a hook for the piece being jointed.

The pads can built up with fine dust and this can slip if they are not cleaned before using the jointer. I have been meaning to make a few pads and glue on some sand paper to see how these go.

This video is pretty good viewing, though not specifically on topic of gloves/jointer. Note the two table saw incidents. The first guy using push sticks might get smacked with a piece of timber, the second guy using a push block almost loses a finger. The incident on the jointer is a similar thing that can happen when using gloves.

https://youtu.be/aFthmKmPew4

Thanks for your thoughts.

Yeah I have the full range of push blocks, however, with or without blocks I see no need to have your hands over the cutterhead at any point.

What I think is one of the big benefits of sticky gloves is being able to feed stock from the outfeed table, rather than having to push the end of a board through, as the blades will be exposed from the mutton chop guard being held open (see my crappy drawing below). It also gives better results, helping to avoid sniping.

Attachment 399372

As for that video - thats why riving knives exist!

I use the latex gloves, however I do not treat them as safety device and follow all the safety requirements as though I were not using gloves, I use the gloves
for many things as timber tends to dry my hands and causes problems Latex dipped glove protect my hands while still affording a decent grip.

Also - I mean hands on the outfeed, body on the infeed - not standing and dragging from the outfeed!

Attachment 399378

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kuffy

This video is pretty good viewing, though not specifically on topic of gloves/jointer. Note the two table saw incidents. The first guy using push sticks might get smacked with a piece of timber, the second guy using a push block almost loses a finger. The incident on the jointer is a similar thing that can happen when using gloves.

https://youtu.be/aFthmKmPew4

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where's the cutter guard !!!

I use dipped gloves for handling and breaking down rough-sawn stock, but move to fingerless gloves for jointing unless I'm working with particularly heavy/slippery boards and need the extra grip.

I rarely use gloves in the shed - usually only when gluing or applying finish

as for the video - that last instance on the tablesaw was a chap deliberately demonstrating kickback and he was mighty surprised when he watched the video in slow motion as his hand went really really close to the blade - google saw kickback and you'll probably find the video

My perspective on gloves in any machinery area is ....nada, usage confined to the wet areas such as glue ups,finish areas only.
Minimise the risk ..keep all the parts you're born with,it's a simple philosophy but one I'd rather adhere to.

cheers:)

What I find depressing is that much of what is presented in those sorts of videos is presented as normal or acceptable practice.

to have the video ON and be operating a jointer with
1. no cutter guard
2. loose clothing
is not an example of happens, it's behaviour more than worthy of a Darwin award. It's just STUPID

In many ways I wish there were a way to have all videos showing such dangerous practices taken down.
And I say this with my own self interest at heart. The last thing any woody needs is for certain machines to be restricted because the ignorant don't want to know how to use them safely.

and to operate a table saw without a guard or riving knife is only excusable where the guard would get in the way -- which would normally only be when the blade is buried in the piece being cut.
And YES, I know US practice is to bin the guard within 30 seconds of unpacking the saw, and to set the blade height as low as possible -- which maximises the possibility of kick-back. But that's a whole other discussion.


as to latex tipped gloves.
I have no qualms about using them on a jointer, BUT
1. I use a bridge guard -- which means that my hands can't get into the cutter zone
2. I never push the very end of a board
3. for thin stock I use a push block to elevate my hands well above the knives

BTW, did I say I don't like the "pork chop" style of cutter cuard.

You should never wear gloves, have loose clothing or long untied hair while using any machinery or near moving belts, power feeds or conveyors PERIOD. No ifs or buts and anyone wearing same is waiting for severe injury. If your hands are that delicate you need to harden up. Better a splinter or two than lost fingers, hands, arms or life. Push sticks, safety guards, power feeds and feather boards were invented for a reason. To keep parts of the body that should never enter the cutting area away from danger.

Col.

I have been using close fitting gloves for 20+yrs and have never had a incident, close fitting gloves will make little difference if shove your hand into a cutting device of some kind
"If your hands are that delicate you need to harden up" not always an option

When exposed bare skin touches something it allows the nerves to react. Covered skin such as the wearing of gloves numbs or reduces that sensation allowing the operator to sometimes be unaware that danger is imminent. Gloves, loose clothing, loose hair etc.. can be caught or snagged on materials resulting in the operator being caught up, dragged in, pinched or jammed in moving equipment. In a proper working, safe environment these situations should be avoided.

I have been a qualified ships joiner since the 70s, been a woodwork teacher, apprentice supervisor and workshop supervisor and have carried out site safety audits in those years. It has always been common practice at every workplace I have been in not to expose yourself to the above dangers and any others where possible.

In my years I have seen some very nasty accidents and incidents due to the failure of following safe work practices and or lack of proper training or knowledge.

China, if you have done what you do for 20 plus years without incident then you are lucky but to advise others that it is acceptable, if you are, is not doing them any good.

I rarely chime in on the forums here but sometimes the red flag goes up.

If in real doubt to what I have written, do yourselves a favour and contact the workplace safety authorities in your states and ask them.

Regards
Col
Lara, Vic.

I am not giving advise and if what I said is taken as advise then it has been miss interpreted, I simply meant to make a statement of my experience, I have seen many accidents over the years. (A Cabinet Maker 40+years) I was involved with the development and testing of such gloves in a real world environment. Now I am giving advise they are safe to use providing adequate and appropriate safety precautions are observed as with any industrial situation.

Thanks all. As I thought, people recognise it is not 'best practice ', but can see some advantages in the use of gloves.
I guess I should caveat all of this with, if your not following the manual then you are taking a real risk, tread carefully!