Drop Saw Accident

[RedShirtGuy]

This is what happens when you use the wrong tool for the job.

In August last year I was trying to cut a small block into a door stopper with a drop saw. I knew what I was attemping was dangerous so I thought I'd hold the piece in place with another length of wood while I made the cut to keep my hand out of the way.

The blade made it about a quarter of the way through before it jammed and spat the block out. Because of the pressure I was applying with the "safety" stick I ended up pushing my hand into the running blade before I'd even had time to blink.

The result? Pic in the emergency room and 12 days later

A tendon was nicked and there's a little chunk of bone missing from my knuckle but apart from that there was no major damage.

I had to have my hand (and I'm lefted handed) in an incredibly annoying splint for a few weeks and it took another couple after that before I could make a fist again. Four months later it still hurts to close my fist tightly and I can't put any pressure on said fist without a bit of pain.

So take care folks...be patient, use the appropriate tool for the job and if you think what you're doing is going to be dangerous, it probably is.

[DuncanH]

damn that looks painful!

[masoth]

sigh ........ The things a bloke will do to develop a braging scar.

soth

[Bluegum]

Mate nice cut, you were extremely lucky though, did you buy a lotto ticket after that? Hope it heals up OK though.

[Carry Pine]

Links don't work

Links worked for me. Lucky I've had dinner already- a long time ago.

Graham

[ficfac]

photos removed by photobucket

[RedShirtGuy]

Hrmm...reckons they're still there.... http://s549.photobucket.com/albums/i...SGpics/Finger/

Love your sig ficfac

[ficfac]

oooohhhh yeah. ow.

he he, didn't think of that (sig).

Well, sharp blades cut cleaner anyway...

[specialist]

Damn, I can feel that.

[Rookie]

You are a lucky lucky man. Could have been a lot worse.

[Waldo]

That scares the living hell out of me.

[hawkinob]

Sorry to hear of your accident.
Not sure how you tried to restrain the workpiece but Roger Gifkins - of the dovetail jig - shows how he does his cuts on his website. If you used a similar method it might be an idea to let him know of your mishap.
Regards,
Bob H.

[Lumber Bunker]

what happened to the pics?

[The Hornet]

Wow, I will be showing this one to the kids at school!