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spectator safety shields

Joined
Feb 8, 2010
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Our club is doing its first public demonstrations this summer. The host is requiring that we provide a safety shield. Does anyone have any advice on design and materials. We are considering using lexan, but are uncertain about thickness and size. Any help and insights welcome.

Thanks,
Jim
 
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Hi the best one i have seen was in use at the Nelson club New Zealand and was about 2metres high .900 wide set on a metal stand hope this helps chears
 
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I would make sure that you use Lexan or equivalent as plexiglass will shatter as our club found out. Luckily without any injuries.
Bill
 

john lucas

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Talk to the guys in the Memphis club. I believe they may be offering a grant through the AAW to help purchase and build protective shields. I don't have time to look it up this morning. I'm going to be out of the office the entire day and won't get back until after 9 tonight so doubt that I'll have time to look it up. Hope someone else can help you. If not I'll try to remember tomorrow.
 
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For some reason, I have been thinking about a net type shield. It wouldn't shatter, you could see through it, and it would be more portable than a flat sheet of carbonate.

robo hippy
 

john lucas

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Would a net not catch the bigger shavings and block the view. You can obviously aim the shavings to some degree but it depends on the cuts your trying to show the audience.
 
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Would a net not catch the bigger shavings and block the view. You can obviously aim the shavings to some degree but it depends on the cuts your trying to show the audience.

If you're trying to show an audience a cut, they should be looking over your shoulder either actually or virtually. It's only the size of the room and the number in the crowd that puts them on the other side of a shield, instead of behind the demonstrator.

Or, better yet, between the lathe and the demonstrator with hands on hands. A lot easier with young kids than old men, but they caught on quicker that way.
 
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Well, the protection needs to cover the line of fire. They could stand in the line of shavings no problem, and most of mine are directed out of the line of fire.

robo hippy
 
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thanks

We really appreciate all the response. Does anyone have a drawing? We've found some lexan on ebay for a good price. It comes in a variety of sizes. Using a mini-lathe for the demos, how high and wide do you think the shield should be?

Again, thanks.

Jim
 
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