Oh Bggrrr It Got Me

[TEEJAY]

I have some nice burls and decided to use this grinder carver to make some bowls.

I managed to pretty well shape up a double to a point I am ready to chainsaw the bottom off it.

I had been going for an hour and was obviously not as alert as at the beginning and my grip not as keen.

I moved onto the second burl and was in the process of roughing it out and was in a more confined space.

The grip on the handle had my thumb wrapped around it but as I tired I straightened it some and the grinder wheel did the rest - damm it was fast. The feeling was like the combination of a rat trap and electric shock - instantly through two gloves - outer leather and inner heavy cotton.

It happened a week ago and I haven't returned for duty since then - time out I think.

The most recent pic there which is as it is now shows the skin dying either side of the cut so I suspect the thumb will move back to a new line and keep the original shape rather than leave a groove with a scar.

Lucky it wasn't worse I suppose but a reminder to stop once you lose your focus the slightest with tools such as this.

[TEEJAY]

This is the double bowl I managed to rough out before moving to the smaller burl

[watson]

Ooowww!

Good point though, about focus.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Oooh! Aaah! [cringe]

[Ironwood]

Ouch !!!!! Thank goodness your thumb is still connected.

Damn lucky it wasnt worse though. Those things could do some awful damage.

[mic-d]

good reminder to us all TEEJAY.

Cheers
Michael

[wheelinround]

TJ now I have to decide where to show LOML this as she mentioned today its time she tried out the Arbortec.

[RufflyRustic]

Oh TeeJay!! My finger tip is throbbing a tad in sympathy

[Rocker]

Teejay,

I think you were very lucky indeed that the damage wasn't worse. I think angle grinders are potentially very dangerous tools. I own one, but I have scarcely used it. It scares me too much.

Rocker

[Waldo]

Quickly feel if everything is there, howl out in pain silently as you do a silent dance around the shed holding your finger, a few as well, then squeeze it to see if blood is coming out, throw a few bandaids on, then race inside for some first aid care of the missus.

You'll pull through, but strewth it hurts if anything touches it for a week or so. My thumb tip is still very sensitive if something touches it depending where.

But you've suffered worse than I copped. Poor bloke.

[Buzza]

I always baulked when an old bloke told me not to use gloves with machinery as they wil always get casught up. Instead of flicking your flesh away, it can drag your limb right into the action.

This accident seems to confirm the old blokes beliefs.

Get back into it though, like coming off of a horse.

[joe greiner]

The thumb will most likely re-grow to its original profile, even including the fingerprints.

Arbortech, and its second cousin Lancelot, are not very forgiving. Secure the blank by any means other than body parts (your own or anybody else's). BTDT, and one great toe no longer bends the same as its brother.

Show 'er this entire thread, Ray.

Joe

[durwood]

There is an American show called "extreme makeover home edition" and the carpenter was using one of those angle grinders and took the guard off to get into a section of a wooden flag he was carving for a project. Same thing he was distracted for a secong.Damn thing just about cut his hand in half he was out of action for weeks.

One needs to be watching pretty carefully when using such a device.

[bsrlee]

Did something similar with a table mounted router - obviously didn't tighten the fence bolts enough.

I had to explain to the nurse at the doctors that there weren't any bits to bring in to stitch back on as it was all a thin mist over the back yard You can barely see the divot, its just a shade lighter & a bit smoother.

[Andy Mac]

Yow! I think you're lucky to get away with that amount of damage.
I sometimes teach sculpture students to use these things, and I am very wary, almost reluctant most of the time. Even the versions with less teeth are scarey, but nothing else can remove stock like they do
I discourage those students who seem...how should I say this... less competent in general workshop practice! Not saying you are TEEJAY, but the potential is there even with an experienced operator, especially if you lose focus. Maybe I'll use this thread as a teaching resource!!
BTW, the bowl looks good.

Cheers