T- Storms today - shop shut done - you?

[new2woodwrk]

Whenever there are thunderstorms I shut down the shop.

I have UPS' on all our computers and TV's in the house, but not in the shop.

My area is prone to power outages and spikes during these storms and can really destroy electrical equipment

Do you all work in your shops during thunder and lightning?

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

 Never really gave it any thought. I am sure I have worked in the shop during storms. Never had power surges that caused damage. My computer and tv are both power protected and cable protected. At least that is what the protectors are suppose to do. I am sure there maybe a potential that is above normal that can take things out.  If you are prone to power surges you should look into a whole house surge protector. 

[Phantom Scroller]

I turn everything off and run for cover. Roly

[jbrowning]

I won't use electrical items in the storms. But I will hand sand some stuff or try and stain things, stuff like that.

[NC Scroller]

A long time ago in a garage shop with no windows I had a power fail when cutting a piece on the table saw.  Scared the ^%%& out of me thinking about that spinning blade.  Was smart enough or scared enough to freeze until the blade stopped.  I now have a rechargeable light that goes on automatically when the power is disconnected and a shop with windows.

[WayneMahler]

My house and shop are protected. But if the storms are too bad I just wait them out then go back to work. Not worth taking chances since I don't have a lot windows in my shop and the ones there are glass block. They have vents and all for circulation just really don't show light like a normal window. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, NC Scroller said:

A long time ago in a garage shop with no windows I had a power fail when cutting a piece on the table saw.  Scared the ^%%& out of me thinking about that spinning blade.  Was smart enough or scared enough to freeze until the blade stopped.  I now have a rechargeable light that goes on automatically when the power is disconnected and a shop with windows.

If your saw does not have a magnetic controller it is important to remember to shut the switch off or else when power comes back on there could be a problem. Always know where your hands are when working with power tools. 

[Brianr24]

I don't pay storms any attention. I don't have any surge protectors on anything.

[Dan]

The power tools that are they most dangerous, in my opinion, are my table saw, jointer, and planer. Those are in the garage and I only use them when I can take them outdoors. If power goes out and comes back on too quick the table saw would be very scary. Other tools in the basement, not so scary. So, during a thunderstorm I'll still scroll. Unless it's really bad then I sit at the window and enjoy the excitement outdoors. 

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

If your saw does not have a magnetic controller it is important to remember to shut the switch off or else when power comes back on there could be a problem. Always know where your hands are when working with power tools. 

Another good reason for a foot switch.

 

[NC Scroller]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

If your saw does not have a magnetic controller it is important to remember to shut the switch off or else when power comes back on there could be a problem. Always know where your hands are when working with power tools. 

Another reason I now have a Saw Stop table saw.  BTW my outage was not storm related but was caused by a transformer issue.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 hours ago, NC Scroller said:

Another reason I now have a Saw Stop table saw.  BTW my outage was not storm related but was caused by a transformer issue.

You can make any tool with an induction motor have a mag starter.  

2 hours ago, octoolguy said:

Another good reason for a foot switch.

 

 

Not a good idea to have a foot switch on tools such as tablesaw,  routers, lathes, jointers. Tools that you sit at not bad such as scrollsaw, dremel carver,  and things of that nature. 

[SCROLLSAW703]

here in Kansas, thunderstorms are part of livin' here. i've got all my tools on surge protectors. 4 windows in my meager little shop. i just keep workin' thru the storm. we ain't got hurricanes in this country, an occasional tornado might sneak thru, but i just keep the shop goin'. 

i think it is a critical point in shop safety, & a little common sense, imo, the table saw is one tool that shouldn't be used in a thunderstorm, saw stop or not. planers, ras's, & jointers fall into that situation, as well. it's your shop, i don't tell anybody what or how to run their shop. but shop safety is important, along with your safety. jm two pennies worth.

[Phantom Scroller]

Question do surge protect really work with multi thousand volt lightening strike I've had a lightening strike on my house through my aerial had surge protection on my aerial socket blow that off the wall fried my television, fried my video player, fried my satellite unit, fried my telephone and into my kitchen and melted the wires in the door of my dish washer which is why turn it off and run for cover.  Roly 

Edited March 20, 2018 by Phantom Scroller

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

8 hours ago, Phantom Scroller said:

Question do surge protect really work with multi thousand volt lightening strike I've had a lightening strike on my house through my aerial had surge protection on my aerial socket blow that off the wall fried my television, fried my video player, fried my satellite unit, fried my telephone and into my kitchen and melted the wires in the door of my dish washer which is why turn it off and run for cover.  Roly 

No that is the short answer. Now that is if it is a direct hit and then the only way to protect electronics is to have them unplugged. Surge protectors such as whole house protectors and those ones that you plug small appliances in are protection from within the house. Every motor in your house such as tools, refrigerator, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and such change the voltage on the wires within your house everytime they start. Without getting into the tech side of things power reduction and then power surge when up to speed increases amps and if a piece of electronic equipment is sensitive it can over time wear it out. Todays modern appliances take these things into consideration and are (hopefully) protected to a certain degree from their own start ups and shut downs but do not take in the whole house. You see this happen when something kicks on and the lights dim for a bit.

Even if you have switches in off position or starters not energized, if you get a direct hit to your power system the amperage generated  can jump an air gap very easily. If a transformer down the street gets hit, it will send that power through the lines and down stream. people put lightning arrestors on their houses and use a ground grid to help dissipate a strike but it is not 100% guaranteed to stop all damage. Are you better with surge protector than without, the answer is yes but I explained why.

Now we are even more vulnerable in the summer months because power companies cut back on power delivery or else you get brownouts and could lead to blackouts because so many houses and businesses have air conditioners and so much electrical equipment today.

[Phantom Scroller]

15 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

No that is the short answer. Now that is if it is a direct hit and then the only way to protect electronics is to have them unplugged. Surge protectors such as whole house protectors and those ones that you plug small appliances in are protection from within the house. Every motor in your house such as tools, refrigerator, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and such change the voltage on the wires within your house everytime they start. Without getting into the tech side of things power reduction and then power surge when up to speed increases amps and if a piece of electronic equipment is sensitive it can over time wear it out. Todays modern appliances take these things into consideration and are (hopefully) protected to a certain degree from their own start ups and shut downs but do not take in the whole house. You see this happen when something kicks on and the lights dim for a bit.

Even if you have switches in off position or starters not energized, if you get a direct hit to your power system the amperage generated  can jump an air gap very easily. If a transformer down the street gets hit, it will send that power through the lines and down stream. people put lightning arrestors on their houses and use a ground grid to help dissipate a strike but it is not 100% guaranteed to stop all damage. Are you better with surge protector than without, the answer is yes but I explained why.

Now we are even more vulnerable in the summer months because power companies cut back on power delivery or else you get brownouts and could lead to blackouts because so many houses and businesses have air conditioners and so much electrical equipment today.

Good answer John love the info. Roly