Track saw safety: has anyone been injured with a track saw?
- Thread starter cvining
- Start date
Ouch, that sounds brutal. I once nicked my thumb pretty bad trying to cut a thin board on a table saw—definitely lost focus for a second. After that, I started doing almost everything with a track saw, and it feels way safer, less chance of catching your fingers. Still, you gotta respect it; blades are blades. If anyone's ever unsure after a mishap, talking to folks like ristichlaw - Personal Injury Lawyers can give peace of mind about what’s covered.
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Packard
Member
I am entirely self-taught in woodworking, having learned (initially) from magazine articles and (later) from the Internet. Published books, I thought, would contain reliable information, but in reality had some of the most dangerous of processes described as “safe”.
Over the last 28 years, I have had two significant accidents. Both, from the lack of knowledge, and not sloppy work habits.
While I was aware of kick-back from many sources, I had never come across the concept of “kick-up”. That occurs when ripping narrow, but short pieces on the table saw. Using a push stick as a safe method of feeding material, does not protect you from “kick-up”. I now make my own push blocks that prevent kick-up.
The accident did require a visit to the emergency room at the hospital as the kicked-up piece of stock tore off my fingernail. I required a tetanus shot and the surgeon had to remove the balance of the fingernail.
The second accident did not do much damage, but was far scarier. That event predated the “kick-up” accident and I was using a resin push-stick. One of those widely distributed yellow plastic ones.
The problem with these (compared to similar designs made in the shop from wood), is sometimes the blade will catch on the stick and instead of grinding away material, it will grab the plastic, cause it to flex into an arc and then it will shatter explosively. The resin is capable of absorbing a great deal of energy. I got bruised on my forearm, but no blood, and nothing hit my face or eyes.
You do far better making your own from scrap lumber or MDF (my preference).
Af far as the track saw goes, I feel far safer when I clamp the track than when I rely on the friction strips.
Over the last 28 years, I have had two significant accidents. Both, from the lack of knowledge, and not sloppy work habits.
While I was aware of kick-back from many sources, I had never come across the concept of “kick-up”. That occurs when ripping narrow, but short pieces on the table saw. Using a push stick as a safe method of feeding material, does not protect you from “kick-up”. I now make my own push blocks that prevent kick-up.
The accident did require a visit to the emergency room at the hospital as the kicked-up piece of stock tore off my fingernail. I required a tetanus shot and the surgeon had to remove the balance of the fingernail.
The second accident did not do much damage, but was far scarier. That event predated the “kick-up” accident and I was using a resin push-stick. One of those widely distributed yellow plastic ones.
The problem with these (compared to similar designs made in the shop from wood), is sometimes the blade will catch on the stick and instead of grinding away material, it will grab the plastic, cause it to flex into an arc and then it will shatter explosively. The resin is capable of absorbing a great deal of energy. I got bruised on my forearm, but no blood, and nothing hit my face or eyes.
You do far better making your own from scrap lumber or MDF (my preference).
Af far as the track saw goes, I feel far safer when I clamp the track than when I rely on the friction strips.
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