Will I Ever Learn?

[cv3]

After 40 years of wood working you would think that I would remember the basics and use the push stick I had sitting there to be picked up for those last few inches recutting that thin board on the band saw. But no, I had to relearn the value of a push stick and the time it saves not having to clean up aLL the blood. Nothing traumatic. Just a finger with a nice clean cut. With my years of carving I keep a well stocked first aid kit just for cuts.
Again I am reminded that the only time I ever get hurt in the shop is when I do not take the time to do it right.

[dusty]

I am truly sorry that you have suffered a table saw injury but I am thankful that it was just a cut. It could have been one of those that demands a gory picture or two to make the point.

Keep it clean; there is still opportunity for infection.

[kalynzoo]

Thanks for reminding us, and get better soon.

[mickyd]

Glad to hear your OK cv. It takes these kinds of medium mistakes to prevent the big or catastrophic ones. The small ones don't register, at least for me. You'll store this in the fresh section of your brain for a good long while.

Your so right about the need to do it right, regardless of the amount of time it takes or the inconvenience it seems to create. Being careful does not mean you are safe. Safety must be built in to the process.

Heal well, heal soon.

[qtndas01]

We all have a tendency to get over confident, lazy, or think nothing will happen to me. That's how I get injured once when using the SS in the router mode. I was in a hurry and only doing one cut so I didn't put the guard in place. The bit grabbed the wood and I came in contact with the bit. Off to the emergency room we went. There was no major damage and i was very lucky. It hit the web between the thumb and forefinger. My son was watching me and saw the whole thing. He still reminds me to this day. I learned my lesson and always remind myself to take the extra time for safety. it can happen to YOU too.

[qtndas01]

We all have a tendency to get over confident, lazy, or think nothing will happen to me. That's how I got injured once when using the SS in the router mode. I was in a hurry and only doing one cut so I didn't put the guard in place. The bit grabbed the wood and I came in contact with the bit. Off to the emergency room we went. There was no major damage and i was very lucky. It hit the web between the thumb and forefinger. My son was watching me and saw the whole thing. He still reminds me to this day. I learned my lesson and always remind myself to take the extra time for safety. it can happen to YOU too.

[tryinhard]

I have seen a number of posts recently discussing whether or not the member uses the upper saw guard. Something about if you understand and respect the tool, you will keep your appendages clear, and so they don't need the guard.

I needed to cut 4 inches off a 5/8" dowel rod. Since I knew the anti-kickback pawls would not be engaged, I figured I would do the quick cut without using the Upper saw guard. I cut the piece with no probem. I then watched in what seemed was slow motion the freshly cut piece start rolling toward the front of the table, turn left (parallel to the blade), and head right over to the blade. BAM. The piece took off and hit a sliding glass door about six feet away. The dowel was split longitudinally in half.

If I had taken the few seconds to get and install the upper guard, the plastic would have held down on the dowel piece and the kickback would not have happened.

[dlbristol]

[quote="mickyd"]Glad to hear your OK cv. It takes these kinds of medium mistakes to prevent the big or catastrophic ones. The small ones don't register, at least for me. You'll store this in the fresh section of your brain for a good long while.

Your so right about the need to do it right, regardless of the amount of time it takes or the inconvenience it seems to create. Being careful does not mean you are safe. Safety must be built in to the process.



Last week I was trying to finish up a "honey do" before the kids all got here for a visit. I needed 6 pieces of 1/2 X 1/2 stock about 6 inches long to get it done. Grabbed the stock, marked off the lengths and plopped the piece on the saw, put the miter gauge on and " set to hackin". My first piece came off nice and clean, convincing me I could get away with this, the second rewarded me with a resounding smack on the belly, a very red mark and elevated heart beat. The piece actually came off the blade,I think hit the miter gauge and flew up and to the right of the blade. Gauge was on the right side slot and I was on the right. I stopped, got the hand saw and finished up. It would have taken 60 seconds to do it by hand in the first place, no more than that to put on the extension! Why did I do that? Still have a ugly red spot, and a renewed resolve to use the fence and or hand saws. Thanks for the reminder.

[JPG]

Why oh Why oh WHY are the 'cut off' pieces not being restrained? They NEED to be kept away from the rotating workpiece launcher! They should be pulled away from the blade IMMEDIATELY after parting from the rest of the workpiece.

[mickyd]

After Heath posted his 'how did this kickback happen' thread, I've decided to use a face shield when using the table saw. I want to keep my pearly whites forever. I've never seen or experienced kickback......yet. I've just read about it and want to make sure my face is protected.