George wrote:

Best rpms are the ones you feel comfortable with. Favor lower, because the
odd chunk that may unexpectedly depart will leave with less available energy
to bust your chops.


I think it was John Jordan that said "If you think a piece is turning fast,
then it is too fast!"

Because of reaction time, faster can be better - less time for you to drive
your tool into a position to cause a catastrophic catch. But keep your
turning to a comfortable speed - that speed will go up over time as you gain
more confidence.


How about some "rules?"

First rule is to avoid anything thrown by the lathe. Don't stand in harm's
way at startup, listen and watch for signs that anything's working loose.
Keep your on/off switch near the tail of the lathe where you won't have to
reach through the zone, either.

Second rule is never give away leverage. Keep the toolrest close. It gives
you greater mechanical advantage, serves as an iron barrier between you and
the work.

Third rule is to be methodical - always A-B-C.

Anchor the tool to the rest. Turning is about rotating things against a
fixed tool to make them round, after all.

Bevel to the wood. Lay it right down , then English your way into the cut,
letting the bevel guide on the space it's made for itself after it begins.

Cut for the curl. Your shavings should be curls, preferably continuous
twisted curls, and they should fall, not fly.

Before you reach to turn off the lathe, disengage the tool from the cut,
lift the bevel, then remove it from the rest. Willing to bet 75% of catches
and curses happen because of inattention, not during the cutting, but the
(inadequate) clearing.


Corollary to the last, before you turn on the lathe, get the tool away from
the work, then approach the tool rest FIRST, then the turning wood.