That time a blown fuse taught me a lesson about chip guards

I was running a Haas VF-2 last Tuesday in Tulsa, cutting some 4140 steel for a job. The chip guard kept sticking halfway down, so I did what I always did and just shoved it with my hand while the spindle was spinning. A hot chip shot right past my glove and hit my forearm, left a burn that still has a mark on it. The foreman came over and said the limit switch was shot because of coolant buildup, cost us 45 minutes to replace. Now I stop the spindle every time before I even breathe near that guard.

3 comments

3 Comments

margaretk891mo agoMost Upvoted

Last Tuesday I shoved a chip guard on a VF-3 with the spindle going and a hot steel chip hit my cheek instead of my arm, so I guess I upgraded my injury location. Now I stop everything and wait for that guard like it's a pet that might bite me. 4140 burns heal slow but they do teach you real fast.

troy_ross13d ago

Man those 4140 burns are no joke, hope it heals up quick.

blair_green861mo ago

Hard to agree there, stopping everything for that guard is exactly what saved me from a worse scar last month.