Table saw accident - Hand update - Page 2

Table saw accident - Hand update · 09-26-2009, 01:24 PM

I have always taken pride in being overly cautious when using tools, but . . . .

Yesterday I was ripping some pieces to make drawers for an entertainment center I am building. While cutting the last board (always seems to happen on the last board), a bug or something landed on my neck. Reflex is to move so I guess that's what I did, not really sure. You can guess the rest of the story. I did not cut my right thumb off, blade went from thumb tip toward the joint, at an angle. It did cut through the tip of the bone. Lots of messed up tissue and thirteen stitches plus a very nasty looking thumb. I was using a push stick, but once I'm back in the shop, my first job will be to modify it.

Sorry about the gross story, just use it as a reminder that you can never be too careful!!!

cptully · 09-27-2009, 12:32 AM

Sorry to hear about the slice. Sounds like one my dad got year ago that nearly cut the main nerve leading into his hand when a glass tube on a vacuum device in the lab imploded. A large chunk of glass sliced into his hand and left him injured but lucky to have use of his hand.

I wish you a full and rapid recovery. Soon, I'll post the push stick I made a few years ago. I like it because it keeps my hand well above the blade, even if I forget to drop it down from max cut depth, and it does provide a nice balance between downward pressure and forward motion.

Chris

MrAudio815 · 09-27-2009, 12:47 AM

Oh Man Charles,

That just sounds bad to me. I don't ever want to do that~!

On the Other hand I almost did cut my left thumb off two days ago resawing a 4" tall by 1" thick material on the bandsaw. I was using a push stick with my right hand and pushing the top of the board with my left and had my thumb stick out in front of the blade. Luckily the piece was on 4" long as I cut all the way through it and stopped pushing then realized where my thumb was. Yikes I said. and I sucked the thumb in and said THINK THINK THINK~!!!!! And went inside...

Oh By the way the little piece that I ended up with, I used to fix my foot pedal trash can... The plastic broke and so the pedal would not raise the can anymore, so I made a wood hinge jig and it works better than before~!!!

ScottM · 09-27-2009, 07:24 AM

Thank God it was not worse. I am sorry to hear what happened but glad it was not worse. I hope it heals fully and quickly.

NCPete · 09-27-2009, 11:16 AM

ouch! I think we can relieve you of the "No Pics, didn't happen" rule in this case.

dkeller_nc · 09-27-2009, 11:28 AM

Yikes - glad to hear there was no amputation, hopefully no permanent damage, either. For those of us that can't fork over the cash to replace a relatively new higher-end table saw with a SawStop (count me in this group), a couple of suggestions:

Marc Adam's "3 inch rule" is, in my opinion, overly reckless. My hand never gets within 2 feet of the table saw blade -ever. And the only way I can work with it and still abide by that rule is forking over the cash to buy a magnetic feather board. It was $50 very well spent. And I'm starting to think that ordering a Shark Guard and waiting 3 months on it will also be money well spent.

cpowell · 09-27-2009, 01:03 PM

Very sorry to hear of your accident and I hope you have a full recovery.

The fact that you were using a push stick has me puzzled - I feel like the push stick is a pretty good safety device.

I use a splitter but no blade guard - the factory supplied Delta Uni guard hangs up on the leading edge of the stock and I was more worried about an accident using the guard. I always use a push stick and featherboard on blade side of stock.

Chuck

gdoebs · 09-27-2009, 06:34 PM

I hope you have speedy recovery. I've (luckily) never had a bad accident like that. Closest I came was a piece of 1/4" aluminum that kicked back on the table saw. I reacted quick enough to have the piece rip my shirt on the way to denting the steel entry door 10 ft behind me.

Oh yeah, no pics, didn't happen!

Travis Porter · 09-27-2009, 08:09 PM

As others have said, I sincerely hope and pray you suffer no permanent damage.....

skeeter · 09-30-2009, 10:58 AM

I went to see an Orthopedic hand specialist Monday. After x-rays, we decided surgery was the next step. I am going to have it done tomorrow (Thursday). He will square up the bone where it was cut through and rejoin the bone with two pins to help secure everything, clean up any bone fragments and dead tissue, and repair the small nerves at finger tip if possible.

I ask for your prayers that everything goes well. Thanks!!

RandyJ · 09-30-2009, 11:19 AM

Prayers sent your way Charles. Good luck and a speedy recovery!

McRabbet · 09-30-2009, 06:09 PM

Our best thoughts for a speedy and complete recovery! Sorry to hear of your accident, but thank you for posting the details so we can all step up our personal vigilance to work safely!

Trent Mason · 09-30-2009, 08:29 PM

Charles, you certainly have our prayers and will be in our thoughts. Again, if there is anything at all that I can do, please let me know. God speed my friend.

Tar Heel · 09-30-2009, 09:48 PM

Last October I all but amputated my left thumb with my tablesaw. I had surgery and three stainless steel pins were inserted to hold the fused joint together. Those pins were removed two months later. The joint is fused and I can not bend it and I have some numbness on the side next to the thumbnail. But thankfully I still have 10 digits. It is amazing how quickly I adapted. There is not much, if anything, that I could do before that I can't do now. The numbness is something that I very seldom notice.

Good luck tomorrow and you'll be in my prayers tonight.

Originally Posted by skeeter

I went to see an Orthopedic hand specialist Monday. After x-rays, we decided surgery was the next step. I am going to have it done tomorrow (Thursday). He will square up the bone where it was cut through and rejoin the bone with two pins to help secure everything, clean up any bone fragments and dead tissue, and repair the small nerves at finger tip if possible.

I ask for your prayers that everything goes well. Thanks!!

Splinter · 10-01-2009, 09:16 PM

Charles,

I hope the surgery went well and that you soon recover. If you need anything give me a call.

Hope you will be able to attend the Oct WAWA meeting. Check out the web site - Alan Leland will be the guest demostrator.

It seems like you are spending a lot of time in surgery this year.

Let's hope 2010 will be a great year for you.

skeeter · 10-02-2009, 10:33 AM

I'd like to thank everyone for the good wishes and prayers. Surgery went well. Pins were installed in thumb and bone fragments were cleaned out. I still have good movement at the joint so dr. is very optimistic. Nerve ends at fingertip were pretty chewed up so there will be some numbness after all is healed. It really could have been worse.

Dolan, I'm sure I'll need a sawdust fix by the time of the next WAWA meeting, so I'll probably see you there.

Thanks again for all the prayers!