Shop accident (or what not to do with a table saw)

EdRo · « **on:** 10 May 2017, 09:41 pm »

Where to start. I've been laying low for a couple weeks. I drove to Georgia to hold a new grandson, then started building wooden boxes to transport my Rack of Wonder to Axpona. So, between plywood scrap and foam for rack cases to prototype templates, i literally couldn't walk thru my shop. Time to clean up and get productive. Moving splintery plywood calls for gloves. NOTE: Gloves and tablesaws shouldn't be used together if the gloves don't fit well. While sliding some ply thru the blade on my tablsaw, my extra-long thumb on my glove grabbed those carbide teeth and...OWIE!!!

After a few hours in the emergency room, countless internal and external stiches, and pain meds, I have been relegated to the couch. The hand specialist promises the ache will be mostly gone in a couple weeks.
I hope to not offend anyone with these pics, but if I can keep one person from whacking a digit or two on a power tool, I've succeeded. Accidents happen. Be prepared when they do.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 May 2017, 09:59 pm »

I was a cabinetmaker for a couple years long ago, table saws are extremely dangerous... not as bad as arm saws or shapers but table saws are used more than any other tool so you get more chances to screw up. One guy I worked with who had been a cabinetmaker his whole life was missing a couple of digits but he was also a drinker.

The Sawstop saws are probably worth it, I can't believe every major manufacturer didn't license it. I still have my Delta Contractor's saw but I don't saw wood much these days.

http://www.sawstop.com/

Good luck and best wishes for a quick and full recovery!

Wayner · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 May 2017, 10:28 pm »

So apparently we were not using the table saw's protective gear.......Hopefully, that didn't occur at your work place or its an OSHA violation......

charmerci · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 May 2017, 10:36 pm »

Quote from: EdRo on 10 May 2017, 09:41 pm

....I have been relegated to the couch. The hand specialist promises the ache will be mostly gone in a couple weeks.

Ouch! My sympathies - constant pain sucks!

Bill Baker · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 May 2017, 10:46 pm »

I did the exact same thing a while back while working on a customer's preamp. Blade went right down the center of my thumb. I know the pain you are feeling. I still dont have all the feeling back and its been over a year but at least I still have my thumb. I was back at work within a day or so and wore some Nitrile gloves to prevent infection.
Hope you feel better soon.

jtwrace · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 May 2017, 11:00 pm »

Ouch! Glad the prognosis is good. Take care of those digits!

Wayner
Yep, reportable for sure!

Bill? Welcome back! How have you been?

Doublej · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 May 2017, 11:43 pm »

I can't believe that everyone hasn't thrown out whatever brand they have table saw and purchased a Sawstop.

(if you still have both of them)

mcgsxr · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 May 2017, 12:01 am »

I hope you heal well.

I have never done that - but I sure have whacked my thumb with a hammer putting cedar shingles on a shed roof once. Once too many!

Scott F. · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 May 2017, 12:13 am »

Welcome to the club Ed. Did this one a year ago Christmas building my new equipment rack.

The table saw didn't get me but the piece of cherry I was running through the dado shot out and took my finger(s) with it.

EdRo · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 May 2017, 12:24 am »

OUCH!!! Getting cut with a blade is one thing; having appendages ripped off by flying wooden projectiles...that just ain't right!!! My aching hand just blushed with it's insignificant wound!!!

jtwrace · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 May 2017, 12:49 am »

Quote from: Scott F. on 11 May 2017, 12:13 am

Welcome to the club Ed. Did this one a year ago Christmas building my new equipment rack.

The table saw didn't get me but the piece of cherry I was running through the dado shot out and took my finger(s) with it.

Holy crap. Suddenly my $1200 standman rack is dirt cheap.

Folsom · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 May 2017, 02:11 am »

Good god Scott! That's terrifying...

Good luck to everyone... I won't be able to use a tablesaw for weeks thanks to those pictures.

TomS · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 May 2017, 03:12 am »

Ed,

I did EXACTLY the same thing (with gloves on, a no-no) to my left thumb in a table saw a few years ago, still no feeling in that area. I never used that saw again. I only use a Festool track saw or a European type sliding table saw now, as I'm convinced they are much safer.

I know the pain, so I sure hope you heal up good as new

HT cOz · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 May 2017, 03:38 am »

I'm really sorry to hear about the accidents. A few years ago I bought a table saw, brought it home and turned it on, then packed it up and took it back to the store.... In that moment, I decided I was a flat pack kind of guy...

bacobits1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 May 2017, 12:59 pm »

Oh my lord, It hurts looking at those.
Had a Table saw for years, you always have to be VERY aware of what you are doing taking nothing for granted always use a push stick!

jtwrace · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 May 2017, 01:07 pm »

Quote from: TomS on 11 May 2017, 03:12 am

Ed,

I did EXACTLY the same thing (with gloves on, a no-no) to my left thumb in a table saw a few years ago, still no feeling in that area. I never used that saw again. I only use a Festool track saw or a European type sliding table saw now, as I'm convinced they are much safer.

I know the pain, so I sure hope you heal up good as new

I just looked up what a Festool Track Saw is. Very cool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLFGIE_jCN0y5aGzfo0xDql8-2QxX8bXy5&time_continue=89&v=i4xwxJEeGhA

ctsooner · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 May 2017, 01:16 pm »

So sorry to hear about that. I took up woodworking about 6 years ago. I've had MS for a week over 11 years and I constantly look for new things to do. It's a blast and I put together a new shop. I bought a guys shop and the only tool I didn't buy was his Delta cabinet saw. I got the 3.5hp Sawstop and I'm glad I did. I treat it like I do a Delta, but I always worry a bit about getting hurt. I've seen too many friends loss digits and it's scary. Just so sorry about your finger.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 May 2017, 01:28 pm »

Quote from: Scott F. on 11 May 2017, 12:13 am

Welcome to the club Ed. Did this one a year ago Christmas building my new equipment rack.

The table saw didn't get me but the piece of cherry I was running through the dado shot out and took my finger(s) with it.

Ugh! I didn't know that, Scott!

Peter J · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 May 2017, 02:50 pm »

Yeow!

Oh man, I dislike seeing pics like these... gives me the willies. I feel for y'all. I know that whole healing process...not much fun.

I still have a cleft in my left middle finger from tangle with table saw 44 years ago.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 May 2017, 02:55 pm »

Kickbacks can be really bad and a Sawstop won't help... I got hit in the crotch one time, was extremely painful to say the least, luckily no major damage.

I've also decided Dado blades are for large cabinet shops, they are fast but nowhere near as accurate as a router and are only safe to use on large sheets of material that will stop the saw rather than kick back.