All good advice that will be taken to heart, kgtiger. 3+ hours of measuring, re-measuring, and prep and no cut yet.

Safety glasses - check
No loose clothing - check
Clamps - check
V-belt positioned for lowest RPMs - check
Laser sight calibrated - check
Lubricant ready - check
No cleaning spirally swarfs with fingers - check (already been yelled at for that, even when everything stopped)
Hair tied back - check

Paralyzed by fear - check check check