Lathe shocks

Hi John W1

It is the use of an adaptor that is naff, no photo needed. It does not stop the existing plug being used without an adaptor, There is nothing to stop the adaptor being removed and the machine being plugged in and used without a proper earth. A bodge Job.

If this setup was found in a commercial situation the OH&S people would cordon off the machine immediately.

It should not be possible to bypass safety features in this case a properly wired earthed plug.

Regards
John

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Very fair point, John

... although the underlying safety problem is actually inherrent in the design of the socket.

[quote] There is nothing to stop the adaptor being removed and the machine being plugged in and used without a proper earth. [/quote]

Thinks ... To improve the safety of my suggested adapter lead ... the trailing socket and the lathe plug could be enclosed within a sealed 'project box'. ... Thus, no modifications to any suppliers equipment, etc.

MichaelG.

Have to admit that it is rather difficult to get a european plug of this design into a UK 3 pin socket and make contact. It's also a rather poor design of plug in some ways. The socket for it and on the adapters I mentioned have to be rather deep to ensure that the last connection broken when the plug is removed is earth and there are additional complications to make sure that the earth is firmly made.. In the UK the adapters also have to be fused.

This is one and as I mentioned have been used in work places.

As the OP doesn't want to continue getting shocks from the machine there really isn't any problems using a similar adapter but styled for his country at home. If he isn't confident about changing plugs etc it's a safer option. They will probably be available to him for that very reason.

John

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It's mind numbing to see this " saga " still continuing, considering the op was told about 40 posts ago to get the proper plug. How this post can elicit the amount of posts its got beggers belief ..

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Getting [and fitting] "the proper plug" would involve removing the moulded-on original plug [with its advantages of originality and engineering superiority].

... For whatever reasons, Nitai has expressed his preference not to do that.

... Hence the various attempts to suggest an alternative approach.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 04/08/2015 17:04:30

Raymond

Its ironic, I utterly and totally agree with you but is seconding your sentiments I add yet another message to the tally.

Ian P

Edit, 'Raymond' added as the post I referred to was no longer adjacent 

Edited By Ian Phillips on 04/08/2015 17:23:46

Alternative solution?

Neil

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It's O.K. Ian, I would have probably guessed, from the fact that you quoted Raymond's post.

MichaelG.

Is there any good reason why an earth wire cannot be connected between the lathe and a known good earth ? I've done this on tools in my "outdoor " workshop and nothing has gone wrong yet.

This might be a good reason?

Work related electrocutions: 6 dead
Home or leisure electrocutions: 22 dead

**LINK**

Yep the home is indeed a dangerous place. But it need not be; that is if people actually adhered to safe work practices, as is enforced in the workplace.

QED

Regards
John

Edited By John McNamara on 05/08/2015 09:48:46

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So that lathe is not available in other countries with different plugs on ??

If so there is nothing 'original' about the plug fitted. Rather the opposite in that it's been supplied with the wrong plug.

Must rush out and convert my van to left hand drive as it's a Fiat, made in Italy and therefore not 'original' in the UK.

Personally when I read these type of posts it comes to mind that when things go wrong with a machine there is this certain group of people who want to bash the not fit for purpose drum but in my book there are more owners not fit to use a machine.

If he can't sort it safely either by skill or paying someone who has then it needs to go back in the box and stop playing with it - simples.

John S

I'm honestly confused ...

Are you having a dig at me.

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I think Michael was being ironic, John.

I'm more concerned that a single statistic is being used to prove we should adopt industrial working practice in our home workshops.

I'd better go and check the PUWER sheet for each of my appliances is up to date, I'm sure John does this regularly.

Neil

An alterative to changing the male plug, get a bit of lead with a plug moulded on (if there's a female plug on the other end, cut it off), remove the existing cord from the lathe and wire in the new one, make sure of a good earth connection, and earth the lathe and metal stand and motor.

Ian S C

Thanks, Neil ... But:

My observation [as quoted by John S] was perfectly straightforward. ... I was simply reciting what I believe to be Nitai's position on this.

Various posters have told him to cut off the existing plug and replace it with the local type; but he would clearly prefer not to do so.

I have made absolutely no suggestion that there is anything "not fit for purpose" about the manufacture of lathe [and I therefore resent John's capricious insinuation]. ... The fact is simply that it was supplied [by someone] with a European style plug, and Nitai has Israeli sockets.

MichaelG.

True - perhaps there is need for another law - people can't sell things that aren't fit for use. There already is one so no need. The shop should either sort out the correct plug or supply an approved adapter. That is the route I would follow even though I can change a plug and even get the stripped wire lengths etc correct even arranging for live to pull out 1st if some one does something silly with the lead.

Clearly we all need to buy a PAT tester and become qualified to use it rather quickly but fortunately there is still a little bit of sanity in this area. It is likely to slowly vanish though. If people do have to play with the mains - sockets etc neon test screwdrivers are available. I have found miss wired sockets also ones with too much bare wire in both plugs and sockets. This is why health and safety marches on. More so at work because companies have done things which do kill people and or seriously limit their life span. Hence the need for more stringent requirements there. In general their main interest is profit.

John

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In 1959 my father bought a new ml7, unlike chinese stuff it worked straight out of the box as they say everthing was spot on .he used it mainly to make bits for motor bikes and cars. But every so often would get a bit of a shock. Traced it to static on the primary drive belt fixed by rubbing carbon dust on the belt.

Well dad went to the great workshop in the sky many years ago but the m,yford is still going strong

Who was it who said quality remains when the price is long forgotten.

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John Ruskin.

MichaelG.

I would have thought that Myford lathes in the 50s would have had metal pulleys clamped to metal shafts carried in metal bearings which in turn would be in metal castings bolted to the lathe and cabinet which I would expect to be earthed. I fail to see how static can build up in that situation but I'm prepared to learn.

Ian P