Self-explanatory via what I say, describing what I’m doing, but here’s the scoop. I have foot switches on my electric hydraulic pumps, which frees up both hands for loading and unloading dies. I needed this kind of setup to offer people good prices on parts cutting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1-jhdgytiI
3 Likes
Hello Dar:
As you are willing to sell this device you may research the OSHA side on foot controlled presses. Generally speaking OSHA doesn’t allow foot control without safeguards to prevent an accidental trip with you hands near a pinch zone in the case of an accidental foot activation. I worked most of my life near or with stamping presses and foot control of a fast press is dangerous without a light curtain or a cage to guard your hands. As I never worked with a slow hydraulic press, OSHA may allow foot control if the press is slow to a certain speed ?? you may want to research the topic to cover your back. Good luck
Hello Dar:
Sorry I glanced your letter without paying attention, you are just selling the parts not the setup. My letter applies if you let someone operate your machine or if any reader likes the idea and is willing to copy it.
Thanks for sharing your video Dar. My press is manual, but I sometimes whish it went faster. How about safety pedals on polishing machines too. I happen to have one, but it doesn’t stop the motor from turning with a brake. Much of what we do has the potential to injure us, especially if we are in a hurry, not in the moment or just stupid. The first wo can be fixed, I am not sure about stupid…Rob
2 Likes
Bonny Doon (through Rio Grande), Potter USA, and probably a couple more places, sell ready-to-use manual and electric hydraulic press setups geared towards the small company and individual. People would have to inquire individually about having foot switches added to their systems.
1 Like
Look at Durston and Sandra Sirles too…Rob
2 Likes
Durston presses? Did not know that. What I get for living in the Die Making Dungeon (and not paying attention to certain things).
1 Like
Hi, No , I never researched the use of a system like I showed as it relates to OSHA. Since I’m not promoting or selling any specific setup, I’m sure it could be legally argued (should that need ever arise, which, if it hasn’t by now, I seriously doubt it ever would in my lifetime, to me) that I’m merely showing what I use. Way back when I first set that kind of press up, I talked to Lee Marshall (original founder of Bonny Doon (press builder and supplies supplier) about it. His concern was speed, and that I not get a pump that was unsafely fast. I got the pump I could afford at the time, and that was fast enough. It wasn’t/isn’t much faster than the one he approved of. I won’t say he was elated, but he never mentioned anything related to OSHA, etc. The speed is very much slower than a punch press, for instance.
Given all that, and that we haven’t had any outside workers in a decade, and have no plans for any, this is something I’ve never thought about as much as just now. However, I think it is a valid issue in general, and something others may want or need to look into in a more normal work environment with employees.
In my need for speed (being as productive as possible so I can give people good deals and maximize $/hr.) I take some shortcuts that are definitely not for the average bear. Mostly smart, because they forward my progress and make work easier, but not necessarily the wisest things. That being said, in some cases, safety is a personal responsibility, like don’t be so dumb as to leave your fingers in the press, or keep your fingertips out of the way of a broken sawblade on a motorized jewelers saw contraption 
I do what I can. I used to run down mountainsides in shorts at night drunk off my ass. I used to drive drunk as a skunk every night, and every day at the end (not a drop since 1988). I used to chain smoke cigarettes and joints and eat like Elis Presley. I look at work risks like a sawblade poke or hole sanded in my finger as not even a blip on the screen 
I can’t say the same about a hydraulic finger squash, which I almost did once. Now my automatic reflex response when the motor clicks on is lightning fast, if my fingers are near the press opening. One “little squeeze” scared the crap out of me. Overall, it’s completely second nature to take the hands out before depressing the foot switch, much like not pointing a loaded gun at your face , or not driving the car into a brick wall . Some things you have to make happen, or they just don’t happen (but accidents do).
Back to my motor saw: Lee Marshall made a prototype based on his old saw guide design. 25 years ago, roughly, and I still use it all the time, along with my manual one , a customized one of his original ones (you’ve probably read this before). At first, the motorized one scared the carp out of me. The momentum of the gear motor keeps the saw going for a few cycles after the speed control/foot pedal is control is released, after I react to a blade breaking. That lag time and slow down is dangerous !. Pokes from rigid , 1/2" blade ends clamped in place in a saw frame that has significant torque behind it are traumatic. We decided the design was not safe for human consumption, and he moved on to the modern ‘Knew Concepts’ motor saw. But I like my prototype better, and I’ve learned to control it , and protect my fingers ( thick coverings made from about 3 feet of sticky green knuckle tape), and keep them out of the way, with the aid of hold -down arms for the die.
Anyway…probably time for this meandering post to end 
Dar (ps I’m leaving the fish typo in bc it’s funny)
1 Like
Knowing your tools, both from a productivity as well as a safety point of view is important. I have several lapidary saws and one horizontal lap that I made from old pieces and parts. They work well for me, but are a potential safety hazard, mainly from exposed belts, pulleys and blades. I am the only one who has access to them and if I hurt myself, it is my fault and I accept that responsibility. You are unique in our business and I appreciate you sharing what you do and how you do it…Rob
1 Like
I have been following this thread with interest as it has drifted from a thread about production to one of shop safety. I suspect we all have our tales about near misses and direct hits. (Rob told me a story about pulling wire that was pretty scary.) I have mentioned guitar or banjo playing in my posts often enough for folks to guess what I am doing when I am not building jewelry. I have learned and relearned to play guitar from the start now a total of three times.
The injuries that caused my hand and wrist damage were unavoidable and unforeseeable and truly accidental. But the result was devastating just the same. Those were the extreme as far as injuries go. Perhaps we all get a little unconcerned about some injuries like minor burns and saw blade lacerations as they are an irritating part of the job.
I use a ½ horse Baldor polishing motor with a shop made dust hood and exhaust system. When I am polishing, I use tapered spindles and leather centers on my buffing wheels. There is a piece of vinyl tubing over the taper between the wheel and the motor to protect the work against the occasional slip off the wheel onto the spindle. I use pieces of wine bottle corks to slip over the end of the taper to protect that point from grabbing a glove. The system works for me.
My fear of turning motors is pretty extreme and built from grim experience. I don’t take chances at any level but a month ago while polishing a small piece I used a small wheel. I shut off the motor and just as it coasted to a stop I reached for the next wheel in the process and caught the inside of my shirt sleeve on the turning wheel. It had maybe one more revolution to go and my sleeve wrapped around my wrist, stopping the turning wheel. No damage was done and I hadn’t thought about it again until now. I wasn’t hurt but I could have been. Maybe deep down I knew better than to polish in long sleeves. Machinists have coats and aprons sewn with threads that tear apart if caught in the works but they are pricy and I never considered buying them for my shop. It’s a polisher not a Bridgeport Mill but the power in these machines we all use is incredible.
The lessons learned are pretty obvious. Always match the tool to the machine. That wheel was just too small for the motor. I should have been working with a bench tool like a Foredom Flexshaft Tool. I should work in short sleeves and maybe ditch the apron. I can always do more laundry. I am a craft shop not a production shop like Dar’s. I
haven’t got to be in such a hurry.
Don Meixner
1 Like
I’ve hesitated to get involved with this thread because, like Don has said, it’s gone from Dar showing us a cool thing that he does to workplace safety issues.
Dar states that he doesn’t have any employees, so he probably isn’t affected by OSHA. Here’s a quote from OSHA’s website. OSHA is about safety for employees, not businesses without employees. If Dar (or any of us) do hire employees then OSHA standards are required.
"Self-Employed Individuals
OSHA regulations primarily focus on employers and employees in a traditional employment relationship. Self-employed individuals who work alone and do not have any employees are generally not covered by OSHA. However, if a self-employed person hires employees, those employees would be subject to OSHA regulations."
This doesn’t mean that self-employed folks who have no employees don’t have any local, state or possible federal governmental regulations and insurance requirements that they have to follow, but they won’t be legally required to follow OSHA’s guidelines.
All that said, OSHA guidelines are great advice for workplace safety for all.
The hydraulic press can potentially be a very dangerous tool. I’ve seen some unexpected things happen over the years with students using hydraulic presses. (even the hand crank presses.) I don’t even want to think about anyone getting their fingers squished in a hydraulic press.
Jeff
2 Likes
Thanks for the insight on all that, Jeff. Hydraulic presses are potentially very dangerous, and it’s important for anyone and everyone using them to understand the hows and whys. I imagine that a lot of beginners in jewelry and pressing are largely lacking in knowledge of presses. I was, for the most part, when I started out with a 12-ton bottle jack and a scrap heap steel table I rigged up to the jack. The 10k p.s.i. systems need to have the connections and hoses monitored and maintained, and when you get into motorized gear, it’s another learning curve. I’ve seen people get into it with almost zero knowledge, and have me set them up and try to imprint the basics into their minds. I know that Kevin Potter uses the lower pressure systems (3K p.s.i. ) for several reasons, with safety being up on the list. I remember reading some safety sheet about a 10k p.s.i. electric pump I got, saying that a punctured hose could shoot a small jet of high pressure oil through skin and into the body…I don’t remember exactly the degree of damage the sheet said it could cause, but in my mind now, it’s still "DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DEATH , DESTRUCTION AND DANGER !!! " . I should probably get new hoses 
1 Like