Which statement about lathe safety is NOT a correct practice?

• A. The spindle should rotate CCW
• B. The spindle should be turned off before measuring
• C. The machine should stop completely before changing spindle directions
• D. Always file left-handed so your wrist is never close to the rotating chuck jaws

Answer: (D)

Lathe safety hinges on keeping motion under control and staying clear of rotating parts. Turning off the spindle before taking measurements prevents you from being struck by moving components, and allowing the machine to come to a complete stop before reversing direction avoids sudden, hazardous kick or snag when the spindle changes rotation. The statement about filing left-handed isn’t a valid safety rule, and filing near a rotating chuck is dangerous regardless of hand dominance. In practice, keep hands away from the chuck, secure the workpiece, and only file or adjust things after the lathe is powered off and the spindle has stopped.