Bolster Bust

Geewizz · Post by **Geewizz** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:54 pm

My bolster split this morning. A triangular piece flew out of the centre of the blade and pinged across the site, skiffing the pad on the heel of my thumb as it went.

That's my closest shave for a long time. The shard could have gone in any direction and it is razor sharp. I'm home to pick up a spare bolster ... and some gaffer tape. This one is going to be made safer before it's struck in anger.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:30 pm

We can supply the safety work clothes, but cannot make you wear them

Gloves, don't be silly.

Goggles, you're havin a laugh.

Protective clothing, ferk off.

How about a nice pair of steel toe caps boots, prefer trainer, silly me.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:00 pm

I always wear PPE as it has been hammered into me at work over the last 18 years. It is mandatory to wear it in work and the management do not make any exceptions.

Geewizz · Post by **Geewizz** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:20 pm

I have to admit, I'm not very good at wearing safety gear.

I've got a real problem with wearing gloves especially. I just can't feel the tools or the stone through gloves and I trust the grip of my hands much more than the grip of a glove.
I know it's wrong and I know that I wouldn't get away with it if I wasn't self employed.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:36 pm

Geewizz wrote:I have to admit, I'm not very good at wearing safety gear. I've got a real problem with wearing gloves especially. I just can't feel the tools or the stone through gloves and I trust the grip of my hands much more than the grip of a glove.
I know it's wrong and I know that I wouldn't get away with it if I wasn't self employed.

There are now some excellent gloves that you can hardly tell you are wearing. We have just tried some new ones at work, which are from Arco.

They are called Gripz or Gripz lite and they are fantastic, I hate wearing most gloves, but these are excellent!

Geewizz · Post by **Geewizz** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:47 pm

I haven't tried those. I would be over the moon to find a pair that I could wear so I'll order some on your recommendation.
Thanks.

Geewizz · Post by **Geewizz** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:52 pm

I took this photo of the bolster. The missing piece was last seen falling through the air about 20 feet away.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:02 pm

Goggles should be worn when using these as the top bit can shear off and hit you in the eye.

I know goggles/saftey glasses are a pain in the butt, but damaging or loosing an eye is a life changing experience and should be avoided at all costs.

At work I have to wear safety glasses, cut resistant gloves and steel toecap shoes and boots all the time and so I often also do this when doing DIY.

I did an abraisive wheels course a few months back and they showed an old video of a bloke loosing his eyes when using a grinding wheel.

It really is important to protect your eyes when doing anything that can potentially injure them.

village idiot · Post by **village idiot** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:32 pm

i was going to mention the same thing chez, my chisels were always dressed up well before they mushroomed to that extent

Steve the Gas · Post by **Steve the Gas** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:31 am

How many feet do you have Chez-- steel shoes and boots at the same time

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:40 pm

Always dress tops of chisels and punches.
I had a punch split straight down the middle once

Gloves wise, i wear these quite a bit.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/22273/Wor ... oves-Black

Go well under rigger gloves or welding gloves in the colder months aswell.
Very easy to feel what your doing with them on. :)

fin · Post by **fin** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:55 pm

ive found that the carpenter type gloves from dewalt or irwin are quite good. or the fingerless ones aswell. either or really

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:02 am

Hitch wrote:Always dress tops of chisels and punches.
I had a punch split straight down the middle once

Gloves wise, i wear these quite a bit.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/22273/Wor ... oves-Black

Go well under rigger gloves or welding gloves in the colder months aswell.
Very easy to feel what your doing with them on. :)

They look like the Gripz Lite that we trialed at work.

Normally we use cut resistant kevlar gloves and a pair will normally last one shift if you are lucky. The kevlar ones soon become soiled and oil soaks right through them. The gripz Lite last a couple of weeks and it takes days for the oil to soak through. When I pass ARCO I'll get a few pairs