Shopsmith Forums

I always use my guards whenever possible. But, I admit to not using them on rare occasion when making certain cuts. Like I mentioned in another thread, I witnessed a pretty bad accident with a Radial Arm Saw when I was in my High School shop Class. Ever since then, I have held a lot of respect/caution for that spinning blade.

Others on this thread have made mention about being able to follow a cut line drawn on the work piece. And, another mentioned that he does not use his table saw in this fashion. I have to admit that I do not follow cut lines using my table saw either. I usually take the time and effort to set up the fence and cutting jugs to accomplish this task. That is how we were taught to use the table saw in shop class. The 6 inch box rule was one of my shop teacher's unbendable rules. So, I guess I'm just a creature of past experience there. If I do mark a cut line on my project, for these types of cuts I usually reach for my hand tools (circular saw if power is needed or the old fashioned hand saw in the closet). Even when I was working construction, the only time we used the table saw was to rip material. All other cutting was done with the circular saw. Well ok, MITRE cuts were always done with the MITRE saw. Each tool had its specific use and purpose. And, there wasn't a lot of idle time for thinking out side of that box.

I put people that don't use blade guards in the same grouping as people that don't wear seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles.

They can do what they want but I think in emergency response situations people that use blade guards, wear seatbelts and helmets should be given preferred care.

Example there is a car wreck and people are hurt, those wearing seatbelts should be treated first then after they are cared for those that didn't care enough about themselves to wear the seat belt should be treated.

Likewise in the hospital two guys come in at the same time. Both with saw injuries. The one that used his safety equip should be treated and then the guy that didn't.

I would also apply this to injury lawsuits. If you didn't wear a seatbelt and had wreck you can't sue anyone. If you don't wear a helmet and have an accident you can't sue anyone. Likewise if you don't use the safety gear on your saw and got injured you can't sue. Period no exceptions.

And if they ever make me king I have a lot more ideas how to cut down on medical response costs and law suits.

When I went to buy my first helmet I asked which one I should buy. The guy selling them said spend as much as you think your brains are worth. I bought the best. Two years later when they were looking at my broken helmet some one said this was a really good one because most that hit like this split open and the guy becomes a paraplegic.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I put people that don't use blade guards in the same grouping as people that don't wear seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles.

Thanks Ed I appreciate knowing where I stand. Jim

Then there is the other sad story.

I witnessed the tail end of a motorcycle accident a while back. The rider was wearing a full set of leathers, elbow length gloves, riding boots and a helmet.

He was riding a Honda Goldwing when he t-boned a mustang. The getup (safety gear if you will) helped him not a bit. He died of injuries while in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Now I see no corollary between this and a serious shop incident but safety gear doesn't always do what some people rely on it to do.

My advise: Keep your body parts out of the red zone.

Dusty your story is a sad fact but I will bet his safety gear helped to hold him together so they could put all of him in ambulance.

The point I was trying to make was while safety gear will not guarantee you will never get hurt, injured or killed it will help cut down on the chance of that happening.

Sure you can have all the safety gear in place and act carelessly and still get hurt.

You can still get killed with a table saw with the blade guard in place just fall on it the right way and hit your head. Or have it fall on you while you try to do something under it. You can sill get injured on table saw with a blade guard, stub you foot on it, run into the corner, or snag a sharp edge somewhere.

The point is safety equipment was designed and built to help prevent, preventable accidents. Everyone of us has the right amke the choice to use them or not.

However the consequences or impact of those choices should be the person's burden alone not everyone else's.

If two people with the same injury are rushed to the same hospital and arrive at the same time but the hospital only has one expert that can work on them. One person was injuried in an accident where he was wearing a seat belt and the other was in an accident where he wasn't wearing a seat belt I believe the one wearing the seat belt should be given first priority.

If for no other reason than this person displayed better judgement and took personal responsibility for his safety.

fjimp wrote:Thanks Ed I appreciate knowing where I stand. Jim

Sorry Jim but I believe people that take personal responsibility for their own safety are different than then people that take none and expect others to deal with the consequences of the decisions they made.

I try real hard not to act as judge and jury. It takes a lot more knowledge than just who was using the saw guard and who was not to determine who gets treated first in the trauma center.

First of all, the folks in the trauma center most likely do not know who was the good guy and who was the bad guy and thankfully they do not care. They have their their own criteria for who gets treated first.

I'm just thankful, Ed, that you don't establish that criteria.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Sorry Jim but I believe people that take personal responsibility for their own safety are different than then people that take none and expect others to deal with the consequences of the decisions they made.

Don't worry about my comment Ed. I use a number a safety aids and I try to always be aware of the red zone at all times. No sir I have no desire to lose any of my precious digits. I often use more than one safety guide at a time. Every time I read one of these discussions I am reminded of my first table saw, which was bought in the early 1970's. The guard that came with it was poorly made and flew apart hitting me on one cheek. I had a nasty cut which ultimately healed. I did purchase a replacement which was better designed yet often became caught and twisted sheet goods. I gave up on them and have felt safer without using them. I do use them when I am teaching a youngster or anyone else about safety. Truth be known I don't like anyone using my table saws. My own son makes me nervous every time he does and he as far more cautious than I am. Jim

dusty wrote:You may be right Todd. I just hope that you continue in your good fortune forever. The guards do get in the way some times but they do help (but only if they are installed).

I don't use mine all of the time either but I operate with a heightened awareness when the guards are off.

The blade guard on my Craftsman contractor saw works great, but was having problems with the upper saw guard on my SS, could not figure out why the guard kept rubbing against the blade intermittently. This kind of made it more dangerous to use with the upper blade guard than without it. Come to find out that there is supposed to be a locking screw that goes on the back of the table to hold the guard in position so that the vibration of the machine did not cause the blade guard to move. Unfortunately, when I bought my SS, it did not come with one, and I did not realize this at first.

Once again we see where user error and not product design are the culprit. Once I get a locking screw will probably find that the upper blade guard works properly and without any problems on my SS. Guess I need to purchase a new set screw for the blade guard.

Todd

The screw you are talking about does vibrate off if not kept tight at all times. I've picked up the knob up off the floor a couple of times after removing the upper guard and blade to work with an accessory tool.