A lesson in respect

[12Wingrider]

I was trying to put the finishing touches on our backyard project today and got a friendly reminder about respect from my table saw.
Kind of got in a hurry and had a small wood block jam between the blade and the rip fence. I guess I can't say it jammed in there, it didn't stay long enough for that. It came screaming out of there like a missile and clocked me right in the chest. I never bruise but I sure did on this one.
All in all it was a good days work even if it did leave a mark.
Moral to the story I guess is slow down and take a deep breath. The only thing you can rush in a wood shop is an injury and who has time for that.

 

[LXCam]

If there were no witnesses, it didn't happen. .


It doesn't happen too often for me, but when I get a reminder it's always a real gem and lasts for a while.

 

[KEH]

BTDT and got the scars to show for it. One reason for wood getting jammed between the fence and the blade is improper alignment. There is supposed to be a slightly large gap between the saw and fence at the end where the board comes out. I know, not a good explanation. Look it up in the literature about adjusting your table saw.

KEH

 

[countryss]

lost my pointer finger to same stupid mistake. reminded everyday

 

[BJ42LX]

I have a hole in the wall behind my saw from the same type of f-up.

Yesterday I was using the jointer to straighten a short section of 2x4. A piece of grain caught in the blade and tore out pretty violently giving my fingers a good rap. I always make sure to keep my hands away from spinning sharp things, but there other ways to take an injury.

Stay safe!

 

[1/2 Cup]

I can relate to that one, the tip of my index finger now has the shape of an ogee router bit, hurt - pain - agony = blood loss.

 

[1jjpop]

table saw for sale

A while back I read a want ad it said '' Table saw for sale with gloves [missing 1 finger on 1 glove ]' Guess what ?????

 

[12Wingrider]

The saw is setup fine it was just a dumb a$$ attack on my part. It was a little 1 1/2" block and it cocked into the rip fence. Sad thing is, I wasn't even using the fence at the time, I just left it a little to close. After I got done dancing and swearing I moved that party to the miter box.
About 30 years in a hobby wood working shop and so far that is the worst I have ever had. Usually nothing more than maybe a splinter. Hope to keep it that away as well.

 

[bad_idea]

I have a dent in my garage door from a similar incident. I just moved quicker than you did. Almost shat my pants. Much respect for the table saw.

 

[jhall0712]

Of all my tools the table saw makes me the most nervous. Maybe nervous isn't the right word, maybe the most cautious.

I started using one of these last year and I really like it. Well worth the money.

 

[fourjeepin]

Mine launched a small section of 2x4 into the passenger side of my Grand Cherokee. Thankfully it didn't leave a huge dent, just looks like a bad door ding.

Like jhall said, it deserves respect.

 

[LX-Markham]

Yeah, everybody learned that lesson in my HS shop class. Our table saw was setup in line with the wood storage room, and there was a couple of steps down into the room. Occasionally, a piece of wood would get launched from the table saw, skid down the stairs, and end up back in the wood room.

 

[srmofo]

Of all my tools the table saw makes me the most nervous. Maybe nervous isn't the right word, maybe the most cautious.

I started using one of these last year and I really like it. Well worth the money.

Dear god $150 for push sticks? Do they come with a handy?

 

[12Wingrider]

Thanks jhall I just looked into that gripper and I like it a lot. I always run things past the CFO first but it should be an easy sell. Cheaper than a trip to the ER.

 

[Zeke]

I used to rip a lot of thin molding and stop on my jobs installing windows. Long thin stock doesn't normally create a danger like a small piece between the blade and the fence.

But I did take a shot to the pelvis above my unit and I was black and blue all over including almost to the tip of said unit and ********* as well. Try explaining that to the wife. I'm not wont to standing directly behind the blade since.

I have been using all kinds of power saws and other power cutting tools for over 40 years on an almost daily basis and I'm more afraid of them now than ever. Maybe there's a better word for how I feel, but 'afraid' is close enough.

I've been bitten a couple of times but I still have all ten intact as well as my eyes. Do be extra careful and don't think about the next step until you're done with the one you're doing.

 

[jhall0712]

Dear god $150 for push sticks? Do they come with a handy?

Lol. I just have one. So it was ~$60 I think. Hard to put a price on safety though. And with the gripper you know you have control of the piece you are working on. Not just 'pushing', it's locked down to where you want it to go. You have pressure on the piece three different ways.

Maybe not for everyone, but I felt it was worth it.

 

[chrisa7164]

I have a scar on my left forearm from a piece shooting out of the tablesaw in shop class when I was in high school. That was almost 30 yrs ago. A guy I worked with had it happen to him on his radial arm saw. After that he pushed it in a corner, covered it with a tarp and never used it again.

 

[MFolks]

Never work around power tools of any type, when you're sick, or had a few "Cold Ones"(Alcohol). You need all of your concentration to avoid injury.

 

[mnster]

Saws have attitude.

 

[woodrail]

Although I'm a "hobbyist" woodworking, some of the things I make call for repeating of the same cut over and over again. It's real easy to let your mind wonder when doing this.

I've "mandated" myself to stop and take a break and refocus during these times. Also, power tools turn off when I'm tired!

Proud to still have all 10!

 

[laser3kw]

a related "wake up call" - the other day a launched a nail out of my framer gun on a miss shoot. It "tinged" off the floor and hit the wall - 40 feet away - with enought forced that I heard it. It then bounched back towards me about 15 feet off that wall.
tools do not care, the have a job to do.

 

[Cougar]

Took a chunk of wood in the forearm.
Smarted pretty good.
Not sure if I've used the table saw since that happened.

Now after reading this thread not sure when I will use it again.

 

[ratdoggy]

Put a finishing nail from my air nailer in my index finger. It made a 90 degree turn in the molding and went into my pointer. I kind of looked at it and said that is going to hurt like hell in a minute.

 

[NHBandit]

Lol. I just have one. So it was ~$60 I think. Hard to put a price on safety though. And with the gripper you know you have control of the piece you are working on. Not just 'pushing', it's locked down to where you want it to go. You have pressure on the piece three different ways.

Maybe not for everyone, but I felt it was worth it.

First my apologies for asking what is likely a silly question to guys who work with wood buttt.. WTF does a $60 or a $150 "stick" look like ? I'm a mechanic and I avoid large spinning saw blades as much as possible so I guess I've never seen one. Is it just a chunk of wood with a notch in the end for pushing other chunks of wood through the saw ? If so why not just make one ? I'm confused... After reading this I think I will stick to wrenching on cars & motorcycles. Too many of you 3 fingered wood guys are nicknamed "Lucky" & "Lefty"

 

[Tucko]

I was trying to put the finishing touches on our backyard project today and got a friendly reminder about respect from my table saw.
Kind of got in a hurry and had a small wood block jam between the blade and the rip fence. I guess I can't say it jammed in there, it didn't stay long enough for that. It came screaming out of there like a missile and clocked me right in the chest. I never bruise but I sure did on this one.
All in all it was a good days work even if it did leave a mark.
Moral to the story I guess is slow down and take a deep breath. The only thing you can rush in a wood shop is an injury and who has time for that.

the first thing I learned in table saw safety...NEVER stand behind the blade, but to the side..

 

[b-body-bob]

Just what I needed to see ... I was thinking about ripping about 1/4" or so off a 2x10x16' board to finish the deck on my open trailer. Was thinking about trying to feed it through a table saw. Even just thinking about it made me nervous.

 

[BFBOB]

Hell, yes table saws are dangerous!

Forty Thousand people a year are KILLED by those mechanical contraptions... oh, wait, that's cars.
So, if you had a car crash, did you shove it into a corner and never drive again???

 

[onewaydave]

You guys say you like pictures. Hope this isn't too pornographic.

Dave.

 

[grissom]

lost my pointer finger to same stupid mistake. reminded everyday

On one hand I can only fly 2/3rds of a bird salute - table saws make me nervous every time I use it. They require proper use and respect!

 

[jhall0712]

First my apologies for asking what is likely a silly question to guys who work with wood buttt.. WTF does a $60 or a $150 "stick" look like ? I'm a mechanic and I avoid large spinning saw blades as much as possible so I guess I've never seen one. Is it just a chunk of wood with a notch in the end for pushing other chunks of wood through the saw ? If so why not just make one ? I'm confused... After reading this I think I will stick to wrenching on cars & motorcycles. Too many of you 3 fingered wood guys are nicknamed "Lucky" & "Lefty"

That is the fancy 'stick'.

That is your homemade push stick.

 

[ARCTIC_RAGTOP]

I was trying to put the finishing touches on our backyard project today and got a friendly reminder about respect from my table saw.
Kind of got in a hurry and had a small wood block jam between the blade and the rip fence. I guess I can't say it jammed in there, it didn't stay long enough for that. It came screaming out of there like a missile and clocked me right in the chest. I never bruise but I sure did on this one.
All in all it was a good days work even if it did leave a mark.
Moral to the story I guess is slow down and take a deep breath. The only thing you can rush in a wood shop is an injury and who has time for that.

Ain't nobody got time for that!

 

[slickgt1]

You guys sometimes make me laugh. $150 for a fancy stick. Look at these pics and make yourselves a bunch of different ones. A push stick, aint gonna stop a board getting launches at your nuts at 150mph though. Read below. Oh and sand paper, glued to the bottom of a block, works very nice for boards, especially when you need to lay on it.

Plus, you don't know how many times I've had to sacrifice my push stick / handle / block, etc. I would not want to be cutting through a metal and plastic push stick with my $300 dado set.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pus...D6-j4APs3IDACg&ved=0CC4QsAQ&biw=1866&bih=1070

Kick back, most often is caused by the cut closing in on itself after the blade. Catching the keeper cut on the spin, and launching that **** at you. So, find a table saw splitter that works for your saw. Here are some examples. They have super fancy pneumatic ones. They have grippers that attach to the fence, but you really just need a splitter to eliminate kickback.

http://woodworking.rockler.com/search#w=table saw splitter&asug=&sli_uuid=&sli_sid=
And you really can't beat a table saw for repetitive cuts.

 

[slickgt1]

Found a vid for you guys. Do this.

Also, google Zero Clearance Plates. This is a good thing to be able to make for all sorts of tools, including bandsaw.

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to-add-a-splitter-to-a-table-saw/video/index.html

 

[darwyn]

I like board buddies for kickback, http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11262&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CML_yNS-qLoCFZSk4AodZ3EAHw, but the price sure has gone up on them!

 

[benjamintmiller]

There is supposed to be a slightly large gap between the saw and fence at the end where the board comes out.

If you deliberately misalign the fence like this, it will be impossible to make straight and accurate cuts.

I adjust the miter gauge slots on my cabinet saw to be parallel to the blade with a dial indicator, then adjust the fence with the dial indicator as well. It takes about 20 minutes, and I check the alignment about once a year.

Don't remove the guard that comes with your tablesaw unless you have to! Mine includes a splitter and antikickback pawl that prevents this sort of injury from happening.

 

[Fishplate]

Dear god $150 for push sticks? Do they come with a handy?

Costs about $40,000 to get your fingers down in there. $150 is a bargain!

 

[G_P]

The only thing you can rush in a wood shop is an injury and who has time for that.

This is the truth. When working with power tools accidents can happen very fast. You never see them coming but you are left dealing with the aftermath.

 

[srmofo]

Costs about $40,000 to get your fingers down in there. $150 is a bargain!

I'm not against push sticks or paddles. I use them every time. I'm against spending that kind of money on something that can very easily be made from scrap. I can't be the only one that shoves them through the blade when its called for

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

This thread makes me think of a movie called 'Woodshop' with Jesse Ventura as the teacher.

 

[Lkdelta]

Just what I needed to see ... I was thinking about ripping about 1/4" or so off a 2x10x16' board to finish the deck on my open trailer. Was thinking about trying to feed it through a table saw. Even just thinking about it made me nervous.

Something this big is really easy to stay out of trouble.
Its big enough that you have to maintain control at all times just because of the weight.

I'll push these thru the sawblade all day long, no problem or fear

Now to the op... you got a great lesson, for free...
nothing that lasts forever with the daily reminder.....