[TheForge] wire brush

[Andrew Vida]

GHS wrote:

> If you don't mind a little excitement and use gloves and face/eye 
> protection , I find my cup brush a handy tool.
> Be careful though wire brushes of any kind on a hand power tool, just 
> want to bite you .

	Very true.  Another thing is to always be mindful of machine setup.  In 
Dec. 98 I was in the shop alone doing some last minute forging.  I went 
over to my kamikaze wire brush setup.  Someone had placed a tool rest 
(like those of a wood lathe) before the wheel.  For whatever reason, my 
head was up my rectum and I didn't even notice the safety hazard.  Talk 
about DUH...  I'm working around the tool rest like some kind of idiot 
when suddenly there is a very loud bang and my right hand is violently 
thrust to my side before any muscle could react.  I looked at the hand 
to find my right index finger was laid open in a long 270* spiral that 
extended from the first knuckle, 3/4 of a turn and about an inch toward 
the second.  Blood squirting like a water pistol.  What possessed me to 
not take notice of this dangerous situation I cannot say, but I was 
tired at the end of the day and I'm sure that had something to do with 
it.  The wound was wicked and required about a dozen stitches to close.

	Obviously this was something of a freakish thing in that the machine 
never should have been started in that configuration and I certainly 
knew better.  But the points that people have been making about powered 
wire wheels (and buffers, too) should be taken very seriously and acted 
upon accordingly.  I have a 3/4 hp Baldor buffer that runs at 3600 rpm. 
  It is a scary beast and I approach it with the utmost respect.  I also 
have a 2/3 hp Baldor that runs at 1800 rpm, which also merits great 
caution.  These are the most dangerous machines in your shop.  They bite 
with frightening ease and when they get hold of you, serious trouble 
will probably ensue.

	Be careful and stay healthy.

	-Andy