How old is too old for equipment and other safety issues

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the safety and replacement of old woodworking equipment, specifically a 45-year-old planer. Participants agree that the lifespan of such machines can extend up to 100 years, but safety features and maintenance are critical factors in determining when to replace them. Modern tools often include safety features like quick-stop mechanisms that older models lack, making them potentially hazardous. Additionally, using regular glasses instead of safety glasses in a workshop is strongly discouraged due to the increased risk of injury.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of woodworking machinery, specifically planers.
  • Knowledge of safety standards in workshop environments.
  • Familiarity with modern safety features in power tools.
  • Basic maintenance practices for woodworking equipment.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the safety features of modern woodworking tools compared to older models.
  • Learn about the maintenance requirements for planers and other woodworking machines.
  • Investigate the implications of using safety glasses versus regular glasses in workshop settings.
  • Explore guidelines for determining the replacement timeline for old equipment in educational settings.
USEFUL FOR

Woodworking instructors, safety officers, students in vocational training, and anyone involved in maintaining or using woodworking equipment in educational or professional environments.

Stephenk53
Messages
121
Reaction score
55
Disclaimer: I forget the names of tools often for some reason so I will often describe the tool rather than say it's name

My shop teacher recently told me one of our machines is 45 years old. If I recall correctly it is the planar (device used to flatten the faces of wood). How long do you think one should use a device until it should be replaced? Although I am unsure of the ages of the other devices I doubt they are as young as 10 years old.

Also what are some safety policies and such he should do?

Lastly is it a bad idea to use regular glasses instead of safety glasses in the shop? He told one of my friends to do that
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Engineering news on Phys.org
Stephenk53 said:
Disclaimer: I forget the names of tools often for some reason so I will often describe the tool rather than say it's name

My shop teacher recently told me one of our machines is 45 years old. If I recall correctly it is the planar (device used to flatten the faces of wood). How long do you think one should use a device until it should be replaced?
That depends on how much trouble it is giving you, whether the results are good enough, and on safety considerations. The trouble is easy to observe when it is used. If it doesn't work well, it may not make the wood flat enough. The safety considerations require you to know how dangerous the old equipment is and whether buying new equipment would give you additional safety devices that the old one does not have.
Lastly is it a bad idea to use regular glasses instead of safety glasses in the shop? He told one of my friends to do that
In general, this is ABSOLUTELY BAD ADVICE! Especially if his regular glasses are glass. I have scars and once had to have broken glass removed from my eye. Even if his regular glasses are shatter-proof, they often do not cover the sides as well as safety glasses do. Also the frames of regular glasses can break and do a lot of damage. Use safety glasses or goggles.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Asymptotic
Stephenk53 said:
How long do you think one should use a device until it should be replaced?
As FactChecker said, that depends on lots of things. It is not unusual for woodworking machines to be used for 100 years, but it is also possible for them to become unsafe quickly if they are flawed and have poor maintenance that allows the flaw to get worse.
 
Some old power tools don't have the safety features that modern ones do. For example many modern power tools are designed to stop rotating quickly when switched off. Older ones can take a long time to coast to a stop.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: FactChecker
CWatters said:
Some old power tools don't have the safety features that modern ones do. For example many modern power tools are designed to stop rotating quickly when switched off. Older ones can take a long time to coast to a stop.
This is the most important thing to say. And if you ever get your sleeve caught in the machine, you will quickly realize the importance of this.
 
@Stephenk53
You must have an idea in your mind of when something should be replaced because it is 'old'. What number would that be?
 
CWatters said:
Some old power tools don't have the safety features that modern ones do. For example many modern power tools are designed to stop rotating quickly when switched off. Older ones can take a long time to coast to a stop.

Averagesupernova said:
@Stephenk53
You must have an idea in your mind of when something should be replaced because it is 'old'. What number would that be?

Although i have minimal experience I would say it depends upon the device and setting it is used in. Since it is a school and many older devices don't have modern safety features I would say 10 - 20 years as a general rule. However considering they had been left to gather dust for at least 5 years (probably longer) and some of them have needed some repairs, I'd think they would need to be replaced sooner than 20. Plus I don't think they have been cleaned in a long time.

What do you guys think about my estimate as far as tools in a school goes?
 
By the way the planar is a bit damaged and often causes extrusions on the wood. He did say the blade is damaged from a previous student from last year.
 
Stephenk53 said:
He did say the blade is damaged from a previous student from last year.
Did the student survive being planed?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: phinds and FactChecker
  • #10
berkeman said:
Did the student survive being planed?
Luckily the student wasn't planed and it was plywood that was. I don't know what exactly happened but there were no injuries.
 
  • #11
Planer blades are among the most difficult woodworking tools to keep in top shape and they really NEED to be in top shape to do their job properly.
 
  • #12
To get a truly furniture quality board, it needs to be run through a drum sander after planning. You can ALWAYS expect a planer to leave strips.
-
Truth is most planers nowadays are junk. To get one to plane anything more than 4 inches wide is asking a lot. They are just not built solid enough. This is one that I use. Not kidding.
IMG_20180213_164154.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180213_164154.jpg
    IMG_20180213_164154.jpg
    91.7 KB · Views: 475
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Asymptotic and berkeman

Similar threads

High School What Are the Key Safety Concerns When Building a Fusor for Nuclear Fusion?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Parallel Equipment Grounding Conductors, Short Circuit
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Laser Safety Glasses for Class II
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
If you think having a backup is too expensive, try not having one
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Admissions Safety School Programs for a Physics PhD
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
How secure are unofficial Android versions?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Mathematica Issues With Mathematica - AGAIN (Not Displaying Plots)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Can You Build a Simple Signaling Device for Equipment Management?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Have you seen my glasses? [Found]
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Challenging the 'Insulation Protects Against Burst Pipes' Theory
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K