How old is too old for equipment and other safety issues

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and longevity of woodworking equipment, specifically focusing on a 45-year-old planer and general safety practices in a school shop environment. Participants explore when equipment should be replaced, safety features of older versus modern tools, and the implications of using regular glasses instead of safety glasses.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the replacement of equipment depends on its performance, safety considerations, and maintenance history.
  • It is noted that woodworking machines can last for a century, but may become unsafe if poorly maintained or flawed.
  • Participants highlight that older power tools often lack modern safety features, such as quick stop mechanisms, which can pose risks.
  • One participant estimates that tools in a school setting should generally be replaced every 10 to 20 years, especially if they have been neglected or damaged.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of using regular glasses instead of safety glasses, with strong opposition to this practice due to potential hazards.
  • There is a mention of specific issues with the planer, including damage to the blade and its tendency to cause extrusions on wood.
  • Another participant comments on the difficulty of maintaining planer blades and the need for them to be in optimal condition for effective operation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the appropriate lifespan of equipment and the importance of safety features, indicating that multiple competing views remain. There is no consensus on a specific age for replacing tools, and discussions about safety practices reveal differing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the condition of the tools and the environment in which they are used, suggesting that these factors significantly influence the discussion but do not resolve the uncertainties regarding safety and replacement timelines.

Stephenk53
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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
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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?
 
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  • #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.
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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
 

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