Hi Guys, yes working on machinery can be fraught with injury situations. One idea I learnt from a friend is to make a foot operated switch that controls the lathe. I have found this to be very convenient and in no way inhibits what I am doing on the lathe. I mounted a micro switch on a wooden plate then with a piece of ply hinged so it makes contact with the switch. Only when I apply foot pressure to the ply does the lathe operate. It is simple and convenient.