Went to work yesterday at the fire department. Found out that one of the other Lt. / paramedics lost parts of two fingers down to the first knuckles from a tablesaw. He was ripping some trim when he brought the cut piece back toward the front of the saw. The end of the wood dropped down and caught the blade bringing his hand into the blade.
He’s going to be off for at least 8-10 wks. I’m brand new to woodworking and bought an overhead blade guard. My wife wasn’t to happy about the cost, but after my co-workers accident she’s not complaining as much.
I know I read a lot of grumbling about some safety items, but he had over 20 years of experience using machines. It only takes a split second to get lazy, I guess.
Keep it safe out there!
Replies
This is a sad, sad story. Splintie's experience and this one have alerted me, as a novice, about the dynamics of the saw blade which can literally pull the operator's hand into the blade. Whole different problem from accidentally passing a hand into or over the spinning blade.
Sounds like using a push-block, not to mention going through to the other side of the blade instead of pulling back, would have prevented the accident.
Condolences to your co-worker.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I whole heartedly agree with Forest Girl. I equate safety to a math problem: 1 minute to correctly set up the guards on your machinery = a lifetime of woodworking satisfaction (OR) 0 minutes spent setting up the safety guards + 1 split second to be maimed by a carbide tipped blade spinning at a 4,200 RPM arbor speed = a lifetime of pain and disfigurement ... the choice is obvious.
I want to be able to teach my 1.5 year old son to count to 10 on his fingers - not 8.5 or 9.
Life it too short to knowingly put one's self into harm's way. Think first... cut second... and smile at the outstanding finished product that you've produced.
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
I have an amazingly accomplished woodworker friend who was doing some stop cuts without setting up a stop block and lost some fingetips very much in this manner. He was very candid about his dumbness in hurrying the set-up. That's the only good that can come out of these accidents serve, service as cautionary tales. Thanks, Firewood.
Did i mention that no one should buy a Unifence on purpose?? <G>
(signed)
"Knine-Knuckles"
I'll bite - what's the problem with a Unifence?
Wil
Hi, Wil. Myself and one other person i know had this problem i wrote about in this thread:
7774.12
Hi Splinie. You Make a good point - powerfully! Thanx.
Wil
What is the story behind the Unifence comment?
Someday, after I get my business web site done and have just oodles of extra time, I'm going to start a WWing site. With Splintie's permission, her Unifence story will be one of the very first pages in the "Safety" section!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Only if you let me post the accompanying pictures and solicit donations for a Biesmeyer.
No prob! Did you know that woodworking.org has a special place for stories such as yours? forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Never mind. I kept reading and saw the answer. Wish it wern't so.
Thanks Firewood for the mention of this regrettable accident. I think many of us should do as Firewood has done and mention not only accidents but "near misses". These occasions, as tragic as they are, provide reminders , if not instruction, of the dangers of the equipment we use.
Need to start a organization for FF who lost digits pursuing their ambition in wood. I to am a FF who was a bit unattentive and lost part of a finger. I returned to work the next day, until the Darvocet wore off, I was much younger and not as wise as today. Hope your fellow FF mends and continues his wood working.
dave althouse
Firewood, hope the Lt. is gonna be okay. I to am a Firefighter and former paramedic. I have also been woodworking for over 25 yrs, and my off days I am the foreman at a local cabinet shop. The one thing I have been taught from both jobs is saftey first. If something doesnt feel right then its wrong.Those little hairs on the back of my neck have saved my butt more than once as a nozzle jockey and those same hairs have probably saved a finger or two while setting up a cut. I have learned to heed that sixth sense and take a moment to rethink. Hopefully he heals well and can return to full duty.
KenW
Local 2505
Firewood - Thanks for sharing the story. Makes us all think twice about safety. Stories like these are part of the reason I like to use fewer and fewer tools with electric cords attached.
Wish a speedy recovery for your co-worker.
Lar
Edited 3/9/2003 9:46:13 PM ET by Lar
Edited 3/9/2003 9:46:54 PM ET by Lar
Unfortunately, there are far too many woodworkers who think it could never happen to them, who take off their blade guards because they're inconvenient. How inconvenient is it going to be eating with no fingers?
We've all made dumb mistakes and we've all been lucky on more than one occasion, I'm sure... One thing I have to remind myself, when you are tired, stop working. Best wishes to your co-worker on a quick recovery. I'm the proud owner of a funny looking notch in my left thumb due to an unforgiving dado set-up. Let's not forget those glasses too.
Just to add some thing,I've been a wood worker since 7th grade and I don't recall the Teacher pushing much safty but a person learns over the years to look at what their doing when setting up any cut, I hope! I cut 2 fingers on the right hand 25 years ago and it took almost a year to get all the movement back in just the fore finger ,I still have all ten fingers and alot of "opps" scares and I don't have a fancy guard on the table saw! I'm now a pro furniture builder and worked in the furniture ind 20 years. JUST USE YOUR HEAD AND DON'T GET IN A HURRY,AND SAFTY FIRST!GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR RCOVERY. G.R,MI
As I see it, missing fingers are a sign of a true woodworker. The problem is that they can become like tools or tattoos - after breaking the ice with ones first, one doesn't know when to stop.
One or two amputated digits are a sign of virility, or male stupidity or whatever the hell they call it now. Some, like those whose bodies are covered with tattoos, get completely carried away, looking just plain stupid.
It's required a lot of self discipline on my part, but I've managed all these years, despite many temptations otherwise, to keep it down to just one stub. Not bragging, but I do think this is the way to go.
Jeff
Edited 3/12/2003 5:29:57 PM ET by Jeff K
I have been working with wood since I was big enough to sweep the floor in my dad's garage shop. I never had a major injury, a few little cuts, but nothing requireing stitches. Two winters ago I had a log that kept pushing out of the hydraulic splitter. I reversed the ram pushed it back down and pulled the lever. The log was covered in ice and had an angle at the end, my hand slid down the log and got between the end of the log and the wedge. When the log popped it was too late. All I could think of while my wife drove me to the hospital is that I always hoped to finish my woodworking career 10 for 10, and now I lopped two off splitting fire wood of all things. Luckily I had a great doc on call (Packers team ortho surg.). He put them back on and despite my best efforts not to leave them alone while out in the shop they turned out pretty good. All it takes is that one moment of inattention.
Good stuff! Still laughing...
--what...?
Mybe you could shed some light on why you see it as a sign of a true woodworker to loose a digit a little clearer for me. I'm confused.
Splintie got it. It's an joke, man. Laughing at myself.
Jeff
Sorry, it's not you Jeff. It just makes me a little upset that our trade is very hazardous and I have seen everything from saw cuts to people stapling their hands to the bench through the wrist.
A long time ago in a land far away, I worked in a fast paced store fixture company. We made alot of bullpens, eyewear studios, and slatwall shelving units. The mitre (chop) saw was always a popular machine to use but it could only get so much of a cut because of the blade guard. All I needed was 1/2" more draw so I thought taking it off would be the answer. Little did I know the blade guard assembly is what held the #&*@# spindle and all. (old Ryobi type) When I turned the switch to make my cut blade and everything spun for a second and then prceeded across the shop floor into the drywall. I didn't even have time to pull my hand off the trigger grip it was so fast. Furtunatly for me I always stand away from the direct output of the blade. Becareful you guys, really.
Protagora
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