What did they just say!

[Sandy]

so to avoid litigation worries etc, whoever knows the manufacturer could discuss with' those that know' to find out if anything can realistically be done to prevent future mishaps and injuries. - see reply no. 12 on this subject.

[Duncan A]

I doubt also whether the instructions were written for just one supplier; I suspect they are based upon Chinese traditional woodcraft methods and shoehorned into any number of generic lathe instructions.
Duncan

That is no excuse for badly written instructions someone has obviously translated these to be sent out to various countries. Then you would expect that they should also find out the H & S point of view before letting them be used in that country they are sending the machines to

Derek, I completely agree with you, but any number of dangerous power tools - and other items - are sold with poor or misleading instructions. I don't think this is right, but the reality is that cheap imported goods often come through non-specialist channels who simply aren't interested in doing things properly. They are only after cash, and until HSE or Tranding Standards get involved, or until there is some high profile scandal (think RyanAir at the moment) that threatens their revenue, they find it easier to just assume that everything is OK and carry on selling poorly documented junk. Instructions for USA customers are generally far better than here, presumably because there is more chance of being sued - but I for one wouldn't want Britain to end up as litigious as the USA. I've no idea what the solution is.
Duncan

[Derwent Woodturning club]

.........but the reality is that cheap imported goods often come through non-specialist channels who simply aren't interested in doing things properly
.......Instructions for USA customers are generally far better than here, presumably because there is more chance of being sued - but I for one wouldn't want Britain to end up as litigious as the USA. I've no idea what the solution is.
Duncan

Hi Duncan, I agree with you but ironically one of the images I posted is from a large, expensive American lathe distributor, who, in my mind, should definitely have more responsibility. To make it worse, their products are being promoted by a well known British distributor from whom I have yet to have a response from them about the email I sent some months ago on this very topic.

[bodrighywood]

I watched a few american videos and some are pretty horrific.  Chain saws on high reving lathes for one.

Pete

[Duncan A]

Hi Duncan, I agree with you but ironically one of the images I posted is from a large, expensive American lathe distributor, who, in my mind, should definitely have more responsibility. To make it worse, their products are being promoted by a well known British distributor from whom I have yet to have a response from them about the email I sent some months ago on this very topic.
[/quote]

I'm sorry to hear you had no response; sometimes I think the only way is to publicise the issue through the media, but that has its own drawbacks and isn't for everyone.
Duncan