Mike M Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The weather is warming up again and its time to switch back to wearing shorts while working in the shop. Problem is I took up wood turning over the winter and find this new activity comes with a change in the debris that is scattered about, especially into the tops of my shoes. A little sawdust in my shoes wasn't a major problem when I was just dealing with regular woodworking activities. The chips coming off the lathe are another matter. They get stuck on my socks and get rubbed by the tongue and sides of my shoes, working their way into my ankles. This causes itching and discomfort. Since the wood fibers stick to my socks, a blow with the air hose does little good. How do others handle this problem? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid-woodworker Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 They might look a little silly with shorts but I use a pair of dust covers when I wear pants that are too short. I had my wife make mine out of jean material but I have seen some online. They look like the last 6" of bell bottoms with elastic in the top. Just pull them over your shoes and done. BRuce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid-woodworker Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Here is one link and the link to another forum http://www.dustbeegone.com/shoecovers.html http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=6082283 BRuce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 I have never had opportunity to use a wood lathe. I have operated a couple metal lathes. These lathes do not rely on the same operation principles but the containment they include have me wondering. Could you construct a plexi shield to your lathe stand that you could body up to while turning to keep shavings away from you similar also to the dust collection walls inside a cabinet saw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid-woodworker Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Didn't search long enough. This is exactly what my wife made for me but in jean material. I wore these for several years before finding them online http://www.thesandingglove.com/DUST-BEE-GONE-Shoe-Covers.asp BRuce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid-woodworker Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 The plexi shield might help some but the tool rest sits outside of the lathe bed and has to move a lot. Many of the chips come up over your hand and then down into your shoes. I will take a look at a shield attached to the tool rest, that might help in some circumstances. I only turn in overalls so I just get them long enough but keeping the shavings contained would help shorten cleanup time. BRuce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdgewaterWW Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Shopping bags over your shoes and duck taped to your legs? haha I feel like Mr. Rogers switching shoe coming in and out of the shop, house shoes and work shop shoes. I just live with it or airgun 90 psi, shop vac, bench brush, shower or change shoes and socks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 Not sure where you are located, but check the local outdoor store/REI for gaiters. Just get the cheapest ones they have, plus you can use them for xcountry skiing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwatson Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 mike i just wear flip flops that eliminates the socks problem just dont drop anything on your feet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Wear trousers and site boots with the legs of the trousers over the boots. (Only when turning of course - it's my UK sense of humour) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Wear trousers and site boots with the legs of the trousers over the boots. He wants to wear shorts... When I'm fly fishing, in the summertime I wet-wade and sometimes wear these gravel guards to keep the little pebbles out of my boots. This was intended to be a joke, but now that I think about it, it would probably be a pretty effective solution. Made by Simms. You'd look like a complete idiot in your garage, but who cares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 He wants to wear shorts... When I'm fly fishing, in the summertime I wet-wade and sometimes wear these gravel guards to keep the little pebbles out of my boots. This was intended to be a joke, but now that I think about it, it would probably be a pretty effective solution. Made by Simms. You'd look like a complete idiot in your garage, but who cares. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris H Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I was annoyed at the $25 price tag on the plexi shield / dust hood from Rockler, but I went from my DC catching 20%-40% up to >95% on any project <6" diameter. I do mostly pens / bottle stoppers, but I almost never have any saw dust on me anymore when I walk away from lathe. I used to be covered, belly to boot. I have worn shorts without noticing any issues. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10578&site=ROCKLER One perk, is the shield on the front that flips down, allows me to do pens without a full face shield needed. The way it sits, it has great protective coverage. This thing takes a beating in the "Average" reviews on rockler.com, but you'll notice most are people expecting it to do somethin it wasn't designed for. Small bowls, and small spindles only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I've done turning in jeans with missing knees, and in sandals without socks. (It's a local joke what color the socks are supposed to be.) I can honestly say that the dust that comes off is irritating when it's rubbing against the skin. If it catches in the hairs, you won't feel it... but someone else will. At the time when I was doing this, I had a helpful household helper who would remove the dust without my noticing... alas, he is no longer available to help. If you really want to clean up, a quick wipe down with a damp rag will get most of the dust and smaller chips, while the blood will wash away most of the bigger ones. (And if you're doing bigger chips, you need to sharpen more. Just my personal concept.) (All joking aside, I've never had more than a stinging reminder that this is not sitting still. That stinging faded after merely 30 minutes, and didn't leave a bruise.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 I wear flip flops then just brush the dust off outside the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 You could get yourself a pair of Dawgs. http://www.amazon.com/DAWGS-Ultra-Lite-MUT-Oxford/dp/B0036ZZME0/ref=sr_1_10?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1366689709&sr=1-10&keywords=dawgs They provide more protection than flip flops and you can just blow them off with the air compressor or hose them off. Don't wear socks with them or you'll be right back where you started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 i usaly work barefoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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