Public Service Announcement

[sancho57]

Guys please becareful, safe and work safely. Today I cut the tip of my finger off using the table saw. I cant tell you what happened which means I wasnt paying attention. The only thing I can tell you , Please use my mistake as a learning lesson. Ive been woodworking for 22 years, this is the first real injury Ive had.
Ive been lucky worked 10 years in the shipyards as a marine machinery mechanic and 22 years woodworking, but one little mistake and well as we used to say in the yards, Machines have no conscious, they'll cut ya and keep on going.

Please be safe and work safely

 

[Mikeoutrage]

Sorry to hear about your injury. I do some crazy things at times. We all need to slow down.

 

[Bob D.]

Sorry to hear this. I know something we all need to guard against all the time.
I have 3 nine-fingered friends, every one of them the victim of an encounter
with a table saw.

That's why I came up with this signature line over 12 years ago, you find in it
all my posts on whatever forum I belong to.

"It's a table saw, do you know where your fingers are?"

 

[sancho57]

I kick myself for not respecting the tool. Like Tom told me this will definitely make me more careful now.

 

[peter halle]

Hope that you heal well and quickly and that this incident doesn't simian your passion.

Peter

 

[sancho57]

Truthfuly It has made me a it gun shy, As soon as I can I need to get back on the bicycle. I am going to give it a shot today, playing with the domino  and  some of things.

I just wanted evenyone to learn from my experience, always remember the safety aspect of woodworking.

 

[Vondawg]

Hope you heal quickly (in mind as well) I passed my thumb over the TS blade 10 yrs ago got lucky but it doesn't bend as good now...I picked up the portable, SawStop awhile ago, and dont break it out because I have a smaller one and it's easier/lighter and I think you've reminded me to start using it.

 

[Bob D.]

Thanks for sharing your unfortunate experience jobsworth.

My one friend who took the tip of his thumb off got a power
feeder for his TS so he could keep his hands clear.

 

[Stephen B]

Thank you for this Thread and best wishes as you continue to regain confidence in using your tools.

 

[ScotF]

Sorry to hear of your accident. I had an incident last year with my jigsaw - by my wrist - took 10 or so stitches and a nasty scar to serve as a reminder. Amazing how quickly it happens. I wish you a speedy recovery.

 

[Stone Message]

Ron very kindly sent me a picture of his finger - or rather what is left of it. I have seen worse accidents but nonetheless feel for Ron as it is a terrible thing to go through. I understand he is having to find new ways to pick his nose !

Get well soon Ron and take care.

Peter

 

[Roseland]

Really sorry to hear your news; get well soon.

A

 

[Bob Marino]

Yep, it only takes a second of inattention for an accident to occur, but for sure it could have been worse. Not exactly a proper welcome home. Feel better soon, Ron.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Work accidents are no joke, time for us all to check up on our safe working procedures.

I don't know how much of the tip of a finger is gone now Ron but hope it doesn't unduly impede your usage. Get it healing well, and try and look on the bright side, as it could have been worse.

 

[Tinker]

Sorry about your accident, Ron. It doesn't even take a tenth of a second to happen. A whole lot longer to heal.
Hope it doesn't hamper you after the healing.

I like [member=233]Bob[/member] D's sigature >>> "It's a table saw, do you know where your fingers are?"

Take care
Tinker

 

[jeh]

I too had an accident after 20+ years on a tablesaw. Luckily I had purchased a SawStop a few years earlier and damage was only a little groove about the width of the blade on my thumb and it healed up quickly without even a scar. I have never been one to keep that blade guard on, but I always did (an continue to) use push sticks and weatherboards when possible. I am so glad for you that you were not using a dado set.

This is not an endorsement of the SawStop nor it is an "I told you so" posting. It is just a reminder that accidents can happen to anyone and no matter what tool you are using make sure to enable/use all of the safety devices and take your time.

I hope that you are back in the game as soon as possible. Even though my accident was minimal I was still gun shy for several weeks, so that is a totally normal feeling. I have a non-Sawstop portable tablesaw that I use onsite and the guard never comes off except when I am putting it away. If I can't make the cut with the guard then I'll use another tool.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The table saw blade cut a slot through the end of my index finger thirty something years ago.
For the next couple of weeks I had involuntary Technicolor visions of blood and gore every time I came near the table saw.

After the finger healed I discovered that it's new pointy-ness allowed it to fit perfectly into the dial of a rotary dial phone. That little silver lining was short lived as before long the rotary dial phones were replaced with push button versions.

 

[sancho57]

How funny, i have the same vision of the blade hitting my finger. I need to get back on that bicycle

 

[VW mick]

Hi [member=10147]jobsworth[/member]

Hope you are ok mate

I think this is a good post. As we all probably take health and safety at home a little different than at work

We have to have full 5 point PPE at work including no shorts

Face fit tested dust masks for cutting etc

But at home I've been down the shed after Sunday lunch (maybe a beer or two) in my shorts flip flops no mask no glasses routering. Using the chop saw domino etc

GUYS PLEASE BE CAREFUL

Mick

 

[Stone Message]

Mick makes a good point and, in my experience, take extra care when a friend drops in and you are doing something to show off a new tool or helping him or her with this or that.

Peter