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Bowl explosion
- Thread starter Kennith Gosnell
- Start date
BTDT quite a few times. That’s what good face shields are for!
“One last cut” - we’ve all been there…
It’s always that last cut!
That’s when it happened to me. I’m glad the piece that went flying didn’t hit me since the piece had sharp edges! I’m sure it missed because I had my face guard on. 
Did you determine if the wood was defective or was there some extra force, perhaps from a small catch?
I might glue together the piece found and display it as a reminder to wear the face shield!
JKJ
Pretty sure it was a catch. There was a small knot in the wood that probably did it.
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
Glad you were wearing face protection. 
Smart guy with the face shield. I posted recently about the smashed lip/nose I received from an ash bowl. I don't feel like typing the details again, but I wasn't even making my last cut. I was literally done with sanding the bottom on the Longworth chuck, and took my face shield off for a close inspection just as I moved my right hand to turn it off (but inadvertently rolled my finger across the speed knob (and I had also forgotten to change the belt from high to low!), at which point disaster struck before I could react. I got very lucky with just a busted lip, some bleeding and swelling, and hurt pride, but I learned my lesson: lathe spinning equals face shield in place, even if I'm "done."That mistake could have easily resulted in an ER trip and reconstructive surgery.
Suggestion
AI can be a useful source of information to turners
I asked the question what would happen if a bowl 10inch diameter 3 inch thick rpm 1000 came off the lathe
In addition to list of possible injury's and first aid measures the web site provided this information
Please note I am not attempting to promote a site but simply exposing members to a source of information which may be useful
AI can be a useful source of information to turners
I asked the question what would happen if a bowl 10inch diameter 3 inch thick rpm 1000 came off the lathe
In addition to list of possible injury's and first aid measures the web site provided this information
Please note I am not attempting to promote a site but simply exposing members to a source of information which may be useful
What to do (recommendations)
- Check balance & secure mounting — true the blank, use a good faceplate/spigot, and make sure it’s well centered before any high-speed work. Use tailstock support for roughing when possible.
- Use progressive speeds — start slower for roughing (to remove heavy cuts and reduce vibration), raise speed for lighter finishing cuts if desired. For a 10" bowl many turners commonly work in the ~600–1,200 rpm range depending on lathe, mounting, and comfort; 1,200 is toward the upper end for that diameter.
- Inspect the blank for checks, cracks, bark inclusions or voids — if present, reduce speed or don’t spin that fast.
- Sharp tools & light cuts at higher RPM — reduce cutting engagement; use lighter passes to avoid catches.
- Personal protective equipment & safe stance — always face shield, no loose clothing, and stand a bit to the side when starting the motor.
- Avoid sanding heavy stock at full speed — it heats the wood and the sandpaper; use moderate speeds for sanding or very light pressure.
- If you feel excessive vibration, noise, or looseness — slow down or stop immediately.
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Did the AI provide info as to the flight path of the bowl?
AI stated
- When it comes off, it can fly in any direction, often tangentially to the point of release.
- example 17 inch blank 1 inch thick 1840 rpm (you could use other parameters)
- That’s roughly the same energy as a .45 caliber handgun round or a sledgehammer swung full-force — but distributed over a large, fast-spinning disk.
If that 17-inch piece came off:
Step 2: Likely effects if it struck a person
- To the head or chest: almost certainly fatal. The impact could crush the skull, fracture ribs, and cause massive internal injuries.
- To limbs: severe trauma — shattered bones, deep lacerations, possible amputation.
- To bystanders several feet away: still dangerous; fragments or the disk itself could travel tens of feet.
- Wood can also shatter on impact, sending high-speed splinters (like shrapnel).
Like finding something in the last place you look!Yup, it is always the last cut because after that there’s nothing left to cut !
I did just this, screwed to wall close to the lathe. A few pieces lost forever. Great reminder!
