I originally created this in the summer of 1999, and posted it on Badger Pond Woodworking forum..   We "filmed" this during our sojourn in the Reading area while looking for the place where we now live.   I had the help of numerous people, especially my very good friend Tom, who was willing to be the "fall guy" for this.  Thanks to all.  Maybe we'll do it again someday.  

Notice!!  If you are an overly sensitive kind of person who does not have a sense of humor when it comes to slapstick type stuff, hit your back button now.  This will only offend you.  To anyone else, I would recommend, based on past comments, that you do not have a mounthful of coffee, or anything else while reading this story.  You have been warned...

An Unfortunate Incident

Well, he can't say I didn't warn him.

Recently I posted pictures of my new lathe, and in the course of describing its features, I mentioned that it had so much torque that it would probably throw Mr. Trager right through the roof if he had a catch while turning on it. Well, grimmer words in the woodworking world were never prophesied. Not only did my words come true, but the whole thing turned into a neighborhood spectacle. I share these events in hopes that some of you reading this may avoid such a sad occurrence in your own shops.

Here we see Thomas happily turning away, oblivious to the approach of impending doom. We had been looking over the lathe, and I mentioned that I had this rather large piece of butternut that needed to be roughed out into a bowl. Tom asked if he could have the honor of roughing it out, since he wanted to see what the lathe would really do. I told him to go ahead, but to keep in mind that the machine needed to be approached with respect.

Well, Thomas didn't listen. At first, he took it easy, but as the bowl progressed, he gained confidence, and increased the speed way beyond acceptable rpms. All at once there was the huge BANG! that shook the whole house. Shavings went flying everywhere! The bowl departed for parts unknown.



My kids came running into the shop to see what had happened, certain that Daddy's lathe had done him in for good this time. The sight that met their eyes turned their expressions to one of horror, seeing the latter half of Mr. Trager dangling from the rafters of the garage.



What were we to do? Thomas was in a real fix. The weather forcast was finally calling for rain, and he had neglected to wear his Badger Pond hat. My middle daughter Sarah ran for the phone and dialed 911. In only a few moments, help was on the way.



Help arrived in the form of the West Wyomissing Volunteer Fire Co, and it was none other than our new next door neighbor Chad Burns, who was heading up the rescue team. "What kind of wild parties do you people throw here?", he wanted to know as he looked up at the posterior of our unfortunate Ponder. "The only thing thrown here was Mr. Trager", I replied, "and he is sort of stuck in the roof. Can you please get him out?" "No problem", our brave fireman said, as he shouldered his ladder. "Fortunately, there is no need for mouth to mouth resucitation." At this point the professionals took over, and Thomas was rescued just like so many stray cats up trees. There was no serious injury to Thomas, the roof was repaired with a minimum of fuss, and we were also able to save the bowl.



Remember, turn safely.