Rank: Guest 
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Hi all,
I am currently helping with risk assessments in a production environment. One machine which immediately attracted my attention was an old capstan lathe. The machine has no guarding on it whatsoever and the company which operates it is aware of this and would like some type of guarding implemented. We are all aware of the standard type guard that fits over the saddle and moves along the job as the operator turns the handle but I have no idea what type of guards are available to guard the rotating 'capstan' end. Any/all suggestions welcome.
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Rank: Forum user
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Try (Google) either RDM Engineering or Nelsa Machine Tools - they retro fit machine guards.
I don't work for them - just aware of their existence!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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A bit of a terminology mindful, lathes, milling machines etc.
I would suggest that the capstan ( or turret) is essentially an indexing multi- tool holder mounted on the saddle. The bit that rotates the workpiece is called (amongst other things) the headstock spindle (the bit where the chuck or faceplate is mounted?
There are of course other issues to contend with such as power-driven lead-screws.
There are some excellent pictures on the web (google "parts of a lathe") that may assist in your discussions with specialist providers.
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Rank: Forum user
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I may well be out of line as it is many years since I was involved with Capstan Lathes
I would not see any need to guard the capstan as it either indexed by hand or by the action of the operator when taking the capstan slide back to the index position
The only accidents I had seen involving the rotation of the capstan was when the setter / operator had positioned a tool which projected to far and could trap an operators hand between the tool and the capstan wheel. This normally occurred when setting up
Its not easy to describe the actions of a capstan or turret lathe unless someone is familiar with them
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Rank: Super forum user
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I meant "minefield" not 'mindful'. It would seem that I've finally arrived at a typing speed faster than I can think!
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Rank: Guest
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johnld wrote:I may well be out of line as it is many years since I was involved with Capstan Lathes
I would not see any need to guard the capstan as it either indexed by hand or by the action of the operator when taking the capstan slide back to the index position
The only accidents I had seen involving the rotation of the capstan was when the setter / operator had positioned a tool which projected to far and could trap an operators hand between the tool and the capstan wheel. This normally occurred when setting up
Its not easy to describe the actions of a capstan or turret lathe unless someone is familiar with them
Isn't the capstan end covered by PUWER in as much as we need to prevent access to any rotating bar or stock? As an aside what is the legal situation concerning machinery that is pre CE?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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GreigD,
I would be mindful of using a company that manufactures guards to assist in your consultancy as they would have a hidden agenda perhaps?
There is a specialist guarding company down here that could help you and I can recommend an independent machinery consultancy who will be more than willing to assist (Notified body).
I have no links with either of these except a previous user.
You can't prevent access to the rotating bar in a lathe else you can't work on it!!!
The action of the capstan is normally manual, unless you have a fully auto capstan, in which case there are other issues.
The legal situation regarding pre-ce machinery is it must comply with PUWER98 etc.
If you want any more info keep posting or PM.
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Rank: Guest
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paul.skyrme wrote:GreigD,
I would be mindful of using a company that manufactures guards to assist in your consultancy as they would have a hidden agenda perhaps?
There is a specialist guarding company down here that could help you and I can recommend an independent machinery consultancy who will be more than willing to assist (Notified body).
I have no links with either of these except a previous user.
You can't prevent access to the rotating bar in a lathe else you can't work on it!!!
The action of the capstan is normally manual, unless you have a fully auto capstan, in which case there are other issues.
The legal situation regarding pre-ce machinery is it must comply with PUWER98 etc.
If you want any more info keep posting or PM. Paul, thanks for the reply. You have hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned in that you can't really guard the workpiece because you can't work on it if you do. I guess thats where the 'so far as reasonably practicable' bit comes in. It is a manual capstan and I will now look at conforming with PUWER 98.
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Rank: Super forum user
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GriegD,
I have some stuff here on lathes, but it will take me a few days at least to dig it out.
Busy evening tonight!...
Lay in tomorrow morning after celebrating me thinks!
Or, possibly the remote chance I may be drowning my sorrows!
Tis Friday after all...
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Rank: Guest
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Paul,
I would greatly appreciate any information you have. Busy evening here too ... for the same reason as you I suspect!
Cheers!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Greig
In addition to guarding against physical damage you will probably need to consider guarding against metalworking fluid. I imagine that this will be a water-mixed metalworking fluid. There are numerous cases where inadequate control of this has led to respiratory disease and occupational contact dermatitis.
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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Isn't the capstan end covered by PUWER in as much as we need to prevent access to any rotating bar or stock? As an aside what is the legal situation concerning machinery that is pre CE?
GreigD
I presumed the original question related to the rotation of the Capstan not to any rotating tool or bar stock, which would of course be covered by PUWER
John
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