[TheForge] Can we prevent buffing accidents? Best practices? Techno-fixes?

[Bruce .]

I've already suggested somebody step forward and write up a "best
practices" guideline for operating a buffer.  While I have operated wire
wheels, I have almost no experience with buffers, so can't do this myself.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering whether there might be a techno-fix.  If the
problem is that the buffing wheel catches the knife, drags it around 360*
and kicks it out at the operator -- is there some means of keeping that
from happening?

One thought is to add some simple guard that keeps the knife from traveling
the full 360*.  Could the object be stopped somewhere around 180* -- i.e.,
away from the operator?  What if there were some sort of "catcher" back
there that would not interfere with the buffing wheel but would catch and
deflect anything the wheel was carrying around.  Maybe even rig it so the
impact or contact on this thing would shut power to the motor.  I don't
have the experience to judge myself -- does this make sense to those of you
who use these wheels?

Bruce
NJ