Don't do this!
- Thread starter Bigrhamr
- Start date
Speaking of the dangers of grinders....over the weekend I needed to use someone elses grinder. The grinder had tape wrapped around the body, with "switch broken" written on the tape. I assumed that meant the switch was stuck in the "off" position. However, I was careful to leave the grinder with the wheel facing up, and I plugged it in. Guess what...the switch was stuck in the "ON" position! Good thing the wheel wasn't touching the bench, or I would have created a grinder missle.
LOL! BTDT. Stepping down off the ladder, my foot caught the tray that was folded up and I went flying. (nevermind I was in my flipflops.) Now that tray is always out until I'm done with the ladder and no flipflops. (Told ya experience is a wonderful teacher...sometimes.
)zrx61 said:
Betcha' he doesn't own that car!
Oh wait, maybe that's what the quick detailer spray is for, because of the screw up. lol!
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Vernmotor
Well-known member
Well I can't beleve someone else did't spot that before it got printed !!!
norry
Well-known member
An air-powered high speed buffer with a wool buff is such an inappropriate tool for that particular job that he might as well have framed the tool and hung it on the wall...
jmh21586
Well-known member
I work with a guy that told a story once about a guy that cut his gut open with a grinder. He said the hotdog the guy had for lunch came out and still had the ketchup on it. He might have been exaggerating.
But we use grinders all the time at work with diamon masonry cutting blades on them. Every body gets cut sooner or later. I've been cut on my hands several times. The nice thing about the diamond blades is the cauterize the wound as they cut so there's no bleeding. Another guy I work with had a diamond blade explode on him. Bad welds or something. A piece stuck into his neck and nicked his artery. He got an ambulance ride, surgery and a few days off for that one.
But we use grinders all the time at work with diamon masonry cutting blades on them. Every body gets cut sooner or later. I've been cut on my hands several times. The nice thing about the diamond blades is the cauterize the wound as they cut so there's no bleeding. Another guy I work with had a diamond blade explode on him. Bad welds or something. A piece stuck into his neck and nicked his artery. He got an ambulance ride, surgery and a few days off for that one.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Hood strings are a real choke hazard for children, too!
They can get caught on playground equipment, etc...
Also, I once twisted my wrist while wearing gloves with textured rubber palm and fingers, and 1/2" impact to remove wheel nuts.
I grabbed the spinning deep socket to slow it and remove the nut. That is the last time I'll do that! It twisted my hand right around.
They can get caught on playground equipment, etc...
Also, I once twisted my wrist while wearing gloves with textured rubber palm and fingers, and 1/2" impact to remove wheel nuts.
I grabbed the spinning deep socket to slow it and remove the nut. That is the last time I'll do that! It twisted my hand right around.
shadetree57
Member
A little late but, Always remember. Never weld close to a 55 gallon trash can that you've thrown a fuel filter in and covered it with antifreeze jugs and boxes. One spark and the contents of the drum become projectiles. Flames and debris will hit 15 feet easily.
keflaman
Well-known member
I've certainly cashed in my quota of "Oh $hits!" over the years. Two things that have kept me safe and free of significant injury were:
1) Utilizing "Organizational Risk Management"
2) Fear of ending up as the reported subject on the Navy Safety Center's
"Friday Funnies" reports. http://safetycenter.navy.mil/Funnies/index.asp
1) Utilizing "Organizational Risk Management"
2) Fear of ending up as the reported subject on the Navy Safety Center's
"Friday Funnies" reports. http://safetycenter.navy.mil/Funnies/index.asp
MP&C
Well-known member
OK, I'll add mine. Although this happened a couple years ago and many have likely seen it on other forums, here is another "learn from my mistake"..
Yes, motor oil can and will explode
For those who haven't read about my recent stay at the Burn Unit of Washington Hospital Center, (and the Medivac ride to get there) here is how not to cut the top off an oil drum.
My mother was in need of a new burn barrel, so I had asked a local school bus fleet owner if he had any spares. With all the oil changes he does, he buys all of it by the drum. He was fresh out of empty barrels, but had another source. The next day, when he did drop off what looked like a brand new oil drum, I mentioned I'd have to get out the hammer and chisel. (someone once told me your first answer is normally the right one) He said he uses a cutting torch on his, and left shortly afterward. Now I'm normally one of the stickler's for safety, but I guess when he mentioned cutting torch, it clouded my better judgement just because I was trying to get done in a hurry. My next thought was to go ahead and use the plasma cutter and get it done much quicker, what with all the work in the shop I had backlogged. I loaded up the barrel in my truck and drove down to a friends house to use my plasma cutter. (he had borrowed it to make a rock crawler out of a Suzuki Samauri) We got everything situated, I positioned the torch, and as soon as the torch lit, it was done. I have never seen motor oil act in this manner, and I guarantee it's a lesson I will never forget. I had the two bungs removed, and the larger of the two was right in front of me. The arc from the torch caused the barrel residue to expand the ends of the barrel outward, sending it skyward about two feet off the gound. The flash exiting the bung holes (can I say that?) burned through a t shirt, an undershirt, and various other body parts that happened to be there in the way as it propelled upwards. When the barrel landed, the fire in the barrel was out, but it was still emitting black smoke. My buddy was standing there in disbelief, looked at me and said, "That's gonna look goofy for awhile". This prompted me to look in the side view mirror of my truck to assess the damage. Meanwhile, he got me a clean shirt to put on to keep the burned area clean. Unsure of the extent of the burns (ie: still dazed and confused) I drove home (about 3 miles), and asked my wife to look at it (she and I both have had EMT training). After some stuttering and stammering on her part, I told her to call the ambulance. Here is the drum in it's expanded capacity form, and also the extent of how much cutting got done:
Regardless of a barrel's contents, especially one you receive second hand, don't trust anyone's word on it's residue (or supposed lack thereof), treat it as a worst case scenario and wash it out, purge the vapors, etc, and then fill with water before cutting. Best idea yet is to find a barrel with the ring-clamped removable top. Lest you wind up looking like this (or worse)
As much as I'd hate to see this happen to anyone, (and since I'm still here to talk about it), I wanted to share this story as well. The least I could do after all I've been through was to make this post in hopes of saving someone else the same or a worse fate. One of my saving graces (including the Good Lord not being ready for me yet) was that I was wearing safety glasses and leather gloves, so no finger burns and only singed eyebrows. I spent four days in the burn unit and another three weeks to heal up enough to return to work in the shop. Please be careful out there and don't let a time constraint interfere with your better judgement.
Yes, motor oil can and will explode
For those who haven't read about my recent stay at the Burn Unit of Washington Hospital Center, (and the Medivac ride to get there) here is how not to cut the top off an oil drum.
My mother was in need of a new burn barrel, so I had asked a local school bus fleet owner if he had any spares. With all the oil changes he does, he buys all of it by the drum. He was fresh out of empty barrels, but had another source. The next day, when he did drop off what looked like a brand new oil drum, I mentioned I'd have to get out the hammer and chisel. (someone once told me your first answer is normally the right one) He said he uses a cutting torch on his, and left shortly afterward. Now I'm normally one of the stickler's for safety, but I guess when he mentioned cutting torch, it clouded my better judgement just because I was trying to get done in a hurry. My next thought was to go ahead and use the plasma cutter and get it done much quicker, what with all the work in the shop I had backlogged. I loaded up the barrel in my truck and drove down to a friends house to use my plasma cutter. (he had borrowed it to make a rock crawler out of a Suzuki Samauri) We got everything situated, I positioned the torch, and as soon as the torch lit, it was done. I have never seen motor oil act in this manner, and I guarantee it's a lesson I will never forget. I had the two bungs removed, and the larger of the two was right in front of me. The arc from the torch caused the barrel residue to expand the ends of the barrel outward, sending it skyward about two feet off the gound. The flash exiting the bung holes (can I say that?) burned through a t shirt, an undershirt, and various other body parts that happened to be there in the way as it propelled upwards. When the barrel landed, the fire in the barrel was out, but it was still emitting black smoke. My buddy was standing there in disbelief, looked at me and said, "That's gonna look goofy for awhile". This prompted me to look in the side view mirror of my truck to assess the damage. Meanwhile, he got me a clean shirt to put on to keep the burned area clean. Unsure of the extent of the burns (ie: still dazed and confused) I drove home (about 3 miles), and asked my wife to look at it (she and I both have had EMT training). After some stuttering and stammering on her part, I told her to call the ambulance. Here is the drum in it's expanded capacity form, and also the extent of how much cutting got done:
Regardless of a barrel's contents, especially one you receive second hand, don't trust anyone's word on it's residue (or supposed lack thereof), treat it as a worst case scenario and wash it out, purge the vapors, etc, and then fill with water before cutting. Best idea yet is to find a barrel with the ring-clamped removable top. Lest you wind up looking like this (or worse)
As much as I'd hate to see this happen to anyone, (and since I'm still here to talk about it), I wanted to share this story as well. The least I could do after all I've been through was to make this post in hopes of saving someone else the same or a worse fate. One of my saving graces (including the Good Lord not being ready for me yet) was that I was wearing safety glasses and leather gloves, so no finger burns and only singed eyebrows. I spent four days in the burn unit and another three weeks to heal up enough to return to work in the shop. Please be careful out there and don't let a time constraint interfere with your better judgement.
bookman51
Well-known member
Long hair around electric drills and grinders will do a job too. My wife had some arts classes years ago involving bronze casting and then cleaning and polishing them. Instructor made sure the young ladies (no men in the class) understood what would happen if they got long hair next to a drill or tool used to polish the castings. He had it happen. Drill wraps around the hair quickly and pulls the drill to the head and knocks the person out. Be careful out there!
Bookman
Bookman
darkk
Well-known member
I did pretty much the same thing with an electric buffer many years ago. In my case I draped the cord from my left side over my neck and down the right side to keep it out of the way. the buffer got the left side of the cord and was winding itself up the cord to my neck, the trigger was locked and I couldn't stop it. I was just about choked when I realized it was plugged into the wall. I had to run like hell for about 40 feet before the cord pulled out of the wall. Lucky it wasn't any longer...
Nealcrenshaw
Well-known member
I remember back in high school i cut the cord to a live computer,lets just say i'll never do that again,Sparks were everywhere.
First time poster here.
Will relate my latest screw-up still in memory. Did make homemade over the air antenna for digital reception from 8 ~13" folded over "cat whisker" onto 2x4's of about 30" height and 24" base which was placed antenna in attic of house garage. For adjustment purposes, placed it where it could be turned while standing on the foldown stepladder that hides/becomes part of the door. The thing worked pretty good most of time (~50 mile distance), but seemed to pixeliate when weather bad or at most inopportune time. So, made another unit to tie in (which did not help reception BTW) and installed it in same location. This required a coupler to tie antennas together which was installed. By the time I got the 2nd antenna in and determined it did not help, it was getting hot, so just left it alone and went into house. Late that afternoon came back into garage, got back on the ladder and was going to remove co-ax jumper between the 2 antennas, take out the floresecent light used. However, had forgotten to turn on the light before getting on ladder. Here comes the wierd part. I yanked on the co-ax; forgetting that one end was still hooked to the antenna. As it was dark in the attic could not see I had tipped over antenna which came down with coathanger end pointed in my direction of course. One of the whiskers entered left arm at elbow (where they take blood) and almost came thru the bottom side. As I was standing on ladder below base, it got a good run at me. It did not hurt, just made me mad as hell as knew day was ruined. I pulled it out and blood went everywhere. If I can find it, and figure out how to attach, will have picture below for your viewing pleasure.
Will relate my latest screw-up still in memory. Did make homemade over the air antenna for digital reception from 8 ~13" folded over "cat whisker" onto 2x4's of about 30" height and 24" base which was placed antenna in attic of house garage. For adjustment purposes, placed it where it could be turned while standing on the foldown stepladder that hides/becomes part of the door. The thing worked pretty good most of time (~50 mile distance), but seemed to pixeliate when weather bad or at most inopportune time. So, made another unit to tie in (which did not help reception BTW) and installed it in same location. This required a coupler to tie antennas together which was installed. By the time I got the 2nd antenna in and determined it did not help, it was getting hot, so just left it alone and went into house. Late that afternoon came back into garage, got back on the ladder and was going to remove co-ax jumper between the 2 antennas, take out the floresecent light used. However, had forgotten to turn on the light before getting on ladder. Here comes the wierd part. I yanked on the co-ax; forgetting that one end was still hooked to the antenna. As it was dark in the attic could not see I had tipped over antenna which came down with coathanger end pointed in my direction of course. One of the whiskers entered left arm at elbow (where they take blood) and almost came thru the bottom side. As I was standing on ladder below base, it got a good run at me. It did not hurt, just made me mad as hell as knew day was ruined. I pulled it out and blood went everywhere. If I can find it, and figure out how to attach, will have picture below for your viewing pleasure.
Attachments
norry
Well-known member
"Oh, I don't need to disconnect the battery, I'm only working on the speedometer cable."
Rubber covers over the ammeter leads had long since dry-rotted, + lead on the ammeter shorted across the metal dash (this was an old Toyota FJ, the dash was metal), wiring harness basically melted all the way from there to the battery and for a minute I thought the car was going to burn.
20 hours of harness rebuilding later, I disconnect the battery no matter what I'm working on!
Rubber covers over the ammeter leads had long since dry-rotted, + lead on the ammeter shorted across the metal dash (this was an old Toyota FJ, the dash was metal), wiring harness basically melted all the way from there to the battery and for a minute I thought the car was going to burn.
20 hours of harness rebuilding later, I disconnect the battery no matter what I'm working on!
1971gsfan
Well-known member
Don't get drill bit (spinning at high rpms) between wedding ring and finger. Finger looses and Wife gets lets say "mad" have a cool spiral scar from skin wrapping around drill bit though.
Also watched a guy loose his thumb to a properly adjusted guard on a very large pedestal grinder while in school learning to weld. He was beveling a 3" by 4" peice of plate to do a **** weld and I heard an extremely loud aaah. looked and he was shaking his hand vigorously. long story short hosp. had to grind thumb joint bone down to have enough skin to cover the now perfectly 1/8 beveled finger bone. btw his class nickname was "GIFTED" just my .02
Also watched a guy loose his thumb to a properly adjusted guard on a very large pedestal grinder while in school learning to weld. He was beveling a 3" by 4" peice of plate to do a **** weld and I heard an extremely loud aaah. looked and he was shaking his hand vigorously. long story short hosp. had to grind thumb joint bone down to have enough skin to cover the now perfectly 1/8 beveled finger bone. btw his class nickname was "GIFTED" just my .02
jklingel
Well-known member
Another barrel deal. Bought a slide-in truck camper for the jacks and stuff in it. Neighbor came over and said to take the carcass up to his field to burn it. Ok; dumped in a bunch of scrap lumber, 2 or 3 gallons of drain oil, some old diesel, and off we went. He brought up some barrels to set the camper on, so it would get plenty of air and burn well. All the barrels "have an end removed", but he never really checked them. As my boys and I stood 30' from the enormous ball of flame, it suddenly blew flames 30' in the air and my pants we slapped against my legs. How do you spell KABOOM? Neighbors 1/2 mile away called him. One of the barrels had both ends on it, and the bungs in. It was a heavy duty barrel, too. Never again.... I hope.
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I had my first bad grinder experience when I was about 12-13 years old, using a wire brush to remove rust on a small part in the vise. I was wearing a flannel shirt that wasn't tucked in and by time I was done there was a 4 1/2" circle on my stomach that was bleeding. Lesson learned without too much damage.
Other lesson learned is do not wear loose fitting wells lammont gloves when using a cordless circular saw. I was cutting grade stakes and next thing I know it felt like I slit my finger with a razor blade. I was a little hesitant to take the glove off but when I did, my middle finger tip ooked like ground hamburger. With a little help from the bosses son, I mean very little because he couldn't stand the sight of blood, I cleaned it out and bandaged it up. I continued to work since it wasn't like they could stitch anything up. Driving grade stakes the rest of the day was a horrible idea. The throbbing was horrible but I learned another good lesson without too much damage and I admit I was very lucky.
Other lesson learned is do not wear loose fitting wells lammont gloves when using a cordless circular saw. I was cutting grade stakes and next thing I know it felt like I slit my finger with a razor blade. I was a little hesitant to take the glove off but when I did, my middle finger tip ooked like ground hamburger. With a little help from the bosses son, I mean very little because he couldn't stand the sight of blood, I cleaned it out and bandaged it up. I continued to work since it wasn't like they could stitch anything up. Driving grade stakes the rest of the day was a horrible idea. The throbbing was horrible but I learned another good lesson without too much damage and I admit I was very lucky.
neverenoughtools
Well-known member
I had kickback from a small chainsaw once......cut my finger, no not off, but I did need about 8 stitches & one of my buddies who were there almost passed out from seeing my blood.
ZRX61
Well-known member
How to change a fanbelt in 5 seconds....
1984GMC
Banned
I had a grinder with a wire wheel wrapped up my t shirt one day this last summer,, big *** gouge in the ol gut and a hole in the shirt.
A long time ago, late 60's, early 70's, my father bought an Ohllson and Rice, "Drillgine", gasoline powered drill, to tap maple trees with. It was about as simple as you could get, overgrown model airplane engine with a gearbox on it, and a drill chuck mounted to the output shaft. No clutch, no throttle, it ran wide open all the time, the only control was a kill switch on the handle.
I mis-cued somehow with it one day, slipped or something, and the next thing I knew, my pant leg was being wound up on the 7/16 wood boring bit and it was getting way too close to the family jewels. I never knew if I actually managed to shut the thing off, or if it ran out of power and stalled. All I got out of it was a scrape on the inside of my thigh, and a good scare.
I mis-cued somehow with it one day, slipped or something, and the next thing I knew, my pant leg was being wound up on the 7/16 wood boring bit and it was getting way too close to the family jewels. I never knew if I actually managed to shut the thing off, or if it ran out of power and stalled. All I got out of it was a scrape on the inside of my thigh, and a good scare.
e-tek
Well-known member
ALWAYS TAKE A MAN-SIZED GRIP on your tools!!!! I know how you feel - today I had a grinder catch in a piece of angle iron and if I hadn't just held on it would have kicked me in the nuts.
Also - WEAR SAFETY GLASSES no matter what you're doing!!! I was drilling on the drill press (same angle iron) and the drill caught and snappedoff - sending a shard into my cheek - just missing my eyes. I didn't have my glasses on cause it was "jsut a quick job". Got lucky.
Also - WEAR SAFETY GLASSES no matter what you're doing!!! I was drilling on the drill press (same angle iron) and the drill caught and snappedoff - sending a shard into my cheek - just missing my eyes. I didn't have my glasses on cause it was "jsut a quick job". Got lucky.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
Funny you should mention it. Pushed a new guy away from the wire wheel on the 6 inch baldor last night, nearly did the same thing. Gotta tuck in the draw strings!
Didn't knock me out, but 18 years later there is still some hair behind the chuck of that drill!
I'm also glad I'm not the only one who has set himself on fire with a 4 1/2" grinder!
This stuff can really hurt ya!
Tim D.
tonydanzah
Well-known member
did you lose your ****** to the burn?
MP&C
Well-known member
It's still there, just blends in well in that picture. 
PassnThru
Well-known member
I was trying to get an aisle light out of an airplane one time to replace it. It was an 1156 type bulb with prongs that held it in place after you pushed it in and twisted it. The holder was recessed and you could push the bulb in easily but couldn't get your fingers around it to turn it. I decided that a pair of pliers around the base would turn it while I pushed it in. Yep - too much pressure on the pliers broke the bulb while I was pushing in on it. Serious slice on my finger - no stitches but for a few months after that it would get irritated and I would have to pull another piece of glass out. To this day I have less feeling in that finger than the rest.
I know this isn't the ideal introduction, but...
A few years ago I was working at a machine shop, trying to pay my way through college. We ordered 12 foot bars of material from our material vendors. We were usually repsonsible for the transport from the vendor to the shop. I did a lot of the material hauling to and from in those days.
After one particularly long, hot day of sitting in traffic and waiting at the vendors, I just wanted to offload the material and go home. I backed the trailer into the dock and went to get help unloading material. One of the other guys jumped down onto the trailer and, using a hammer and chisel, begin cutting the bands holding together a ~2,000 lb bundle of 1" diameter 12L14.
The weather was hot and I was impatient, so I jumped down onto the trailer to "hurry things up". I grabbed the chisel and hammer, andgave it a few good swings. On the fourth or fifth swing swing I jumped up in pain because I had hit the top of my hand with a the 2 lb ball peen. I shook my hand, as this obviously is a cure all for pain, and noted the expressions on the faces of the guys waiting to unload the material.
I got an uneasy feeling as their expressions changed from laughter to genuine concern. I looked down at my hand and saw that I had not hit it with the hammer...
What actaully happened was the chisel had cut through the band, releasing it with the full force of the 2,000 lbs of material it was holding. The freshly sheared end of the steel band struck the palm of my hand and traveled up my wrist, slicing as it went. The blood poured out of my wrist and someone tossed me a shop rag to stem the flow. I spent the next several minutes in the fetal position as the pain intensified.
A ride to the ER revealed the extent of the damage; I had severed a nerve. To this day, I still cannot feel my thumb, index, and middle finger. I am told, however, I will never develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrom in that hand. Although, the always present, constant, dull, throbbing pain serves as a reminder...
***Any tool, no matter how small or simple, is capable of causing severe injury***
Be safe people!
A few years ago I was working at a machine shop, trying to pay my way through college. We ordered 12 foot bars of material from our material vendors. We were usually repsonsible for the transport from the vendor to the shop. I did a lot of the material hauling to and from in those days.
After one particularly long, hot day of sitting in traffic and waiting at the vendors, I just wanted to offload the material and go home. I backed the trailer into the dock and went to get help unloading material. One of the other guys jumped down onto the trailer and, using a hammer and chisel, begin cutting the bands holding together a ~2,000 lb bundle of 1" diameter 12L14.
The weather was hot and I was impatient, so I jumped down onto the trailer to "hurry things up". I grabbed the chisel and hammer, andgave it a few good swings. On the fourth or fifth swing swing I jumped up in pain because I had hit the top of my hand with a the 2 lb ball peen. I shook my hand, as this obviously is a cure all for pain, and noted the expressions on the faces of the guys waiting to unload the material.
I got an uneasy feeling as their expressions changed from laughter to genuine concern. I looked down at my hand and saw that I had not hit it with the hammer...
What actaully happened was the chisel had cut through the band, releasing it with the full force of the 2,000 lbs of material it was holding. The freshly sheared end of the steel band struck the palm of my hand and traveled up my wrist, slicing as it went. The blood poured out of my wrist and someone tossed me a shop rag to stem the flow. I spent the next several minutes in the fetal position as the pain intensified.
A ride to the ER revealed the extent of the damage; I had severed a nerve. To this day, I still cannot feel my thumb, index, and middle finger. I am told, however, I will never develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrom in that hand. Although, the always present, constant, dull, throbbing pain serves as a reminder...
***Any tool, no matter how small or simple, is capable of causing severe injury***
Be safe people!
arkangel06
Banned
DONT DO THIS!
Yep I thought this would be a post about someone laying an Acetylene bottle on it's side when they were working on a roof with the torch. That's when you know it's time to get a new torch and truck. Not saying I know anyone that would do something like that. Just saying I think it is a good safety tip thats all. I do miss the truck though
4StarCstms
Well-known member
That guy cannot weld...omg ... wonder if I emailed him what a proper weld bead and HAZ should look like if it'd help him out??
4StarCstms
Well-known member
Oh I should add...dont Weld wearing jeans that are frayed.. a couple years ago I managed to set myself aflame cause well, im a *******.. I know better but.. you know how it goes...its one of those ' oh it'll never happen to me' moments!
Was welding with a pair of badly frayed jeans, the hot spatter managed to catch em on fire. Now I was wearing Leather workboots, so I didnt notice until it got up above the boot, by that time going real good. No major damage just some hair loss..the other guys in the shop thought it was really funny to watch... especially when i was trying to get the fire out..was balancing on the burning leg while trying to stamp it out with the other foot...
If your gonna weld...wear the proper attire!!
Was welding with a pair of badly frayed jeans, the hot spatter managed to catch em on fire. Now I was wearing Leather workboots, so I didnt notice until it got up above the boot, by that time going real good. No major damage just some hair loss..the other guys in the shop thought it was really funny to watch... especially when i was trying to get the fire out..was balancing on the burning leg while trying to stamp it out with the other foot...
If your gonna weld...wear the proper attire!!
I've set myself on fire with a grinder more times than I can remember. I'm a southpaw.
Then one time I was on a breakdown and a couple suits showed up. I didn't have time to talk with the line down so I told the junior one he might want to move then fired up the grinder. A minute later suit jr starts hollering I've set his pants on fire. Suit sr told jr you was told to move
wrench_head943
Member
hahaha I know this is a ******* thing to do, and I am not one bit proud to admit doing this. One day I was working on my buggy, trying to get it through the inspection lanes before they closed. In a hurry i needed to make turn signal brackets out of some scrap metal. Without a bench nearby I decided it would ge a good idea to hold the metal with my hand while drilling a hole through it. I was sitting in a chair with the metal right above my lap, making a small hole... when all the sudden the bit broke through the metal, my hand jerked down, the drillbit went right through my shorts, into my boxers, wrapped my boxers up around the bit, and put a sleeper hold on the man twins. Luckily there wasnt anybody to watch that disaster unfold. That was an idiot move, but i did get the vdub through inspection, and the added ventilation i put in my shorts and boxers was rather refreshing!!! Just make sure you do your drilling on a fixed surface, for the sake of your balls!
DrBob
Member
Bought a nice new pair of Lincoln welding gloves. They're much softer than the Millers and I wanted to use them with a 41/2" grinder. This is a HF grinder with a slide switch (?!!) - no quick release - I used it with a wire wheel. When I went to shut it off it caught the thumb of my left glove and suddenly MY thumb was feeling the breeze from the wheel!
Now I only use that grinder with flap disks.
Now I only use that grinder with flap disks.
z28snksknr
Well-known member
I was changing spark plugs on my Camaro one day. It's got headers on it that make it impossible to use a standard socket and I have to use a 3/4 wrench on the end of a custom spark plug socket. Well, I dropped the 3/4 wrench while working on the passenger side and don't you know the box end found the positive starter terminal on it's way down and the wrench arc welded itself to my header. Melted my entire battery leads and fried the battery. It was also a ***** reclaiming that wrench since it was now welded to an inacessible part of my engine bay.
Now I disconnect the battery.
jklingel
Well-known member
220 vac
Twice I've gotten a little too close to 220 VAC. I was about 14, and a guy asked me to weld 2" on a bar of steel he had. It was hot, so I welded it bare footed on a concrete floor. When I went to unplug the welder, the pig tail was pretty tight, so I grabbed the thing like palming a baseball; two fingers hit the two hot prongs, and I jiggled for several seconds before I finally convinced my muscles to listen to me, and not the 220 volts. I shook for several minutes after that. Another time, as a brilliant adult, a student was helping me fix up a welding shop at school. The place had been wired and re-wired 149 times or so, so nobody had any clue as to what circuit breakers worked what. There were 6 welders in a line, so I turned on #1 and #4, as I recall, and had the kid flip breakers till they went off. As we dug into the wiring box for welder #6, I showed him how to "always double check. Run a big screw driver to ground, touch it with another one, then tap the second screw driver to hot wire quickly." KA-FREAKING-POW! That welder had its own 50 amp breaker, I found out. I don't think my eyes adjusted for 20 minutes. I use a meter now.
Twice I've gotten a little too close to 220 VAC. I was about 14, and a guy asked me to weld 2" on a bar of steel he had. It was hot, so I welded it bare footed on a concrete floor. When I went to unplug the welder, the pig tail was pretty tight, so I grabbed the thing like palming a baseball; two fingers hit the two hot prongs, and I jiggled for several seconds before I finally convinced my muscles to listen to me, and not the 220 volts. I shook for several minutes after that. Another time, as a brilliant adult, a student was helping me fix up a welding shop at school. The place had been wired and re-wired 149 times or so, so nobody had any clue as to what circuit breakers worked what. There were 6 welders in a line, so I turned on #1 and #4, as I recall, and had the kid flip breakers till they went off. As we dug into the wiring box for welder #6, I showed him how to "always double check. Run a big screw driver to ground, touch it with another one, then tap the second screw driver to hot wire quickly." KA-FREAKING-POW! That welder had its own 50 amp breaker, I found out. I don't think my eyes adjusted for 20 minutes. I use a meter now.