Today I joined an unfortunate club (long)

Today I joined an unfortunate club (long) · 10-12-2009, 08:25 PM

Today I joined an unfortunate club in that I’m now missing a portion of my thumb due to a power tool accident. I was working on my table saw and jointer/planer dressing a few boards for a small project and as most stories go “ I was on my last board”. Making my last pass when it began to kick back due to some knot wood, but not real hard. I shut the machine down, back it out slightly, held steady pressure down on the board waiting for the blade to stop turning, when suddenly one of the push sticks gave way (broke in half) and my hand moved in a forward motion, right down onto the blade. Even though it had slowed down considerably, it took a good portion of end of my thumb off. I only live a short distance from the ER, so I was able to get care right away, but I’m still missing a 45 degree slice from the opposite corner of the nail, down to the knuckle, many stitches, part of the bone (the rest is fractured) and all of my pride.
The most important is the lessons I can share to all. Please use good quality safety equipment, not cheap/discount plastic stuff from freight outlets. Make sure all manufacturers guards work properly, mine has been sticking lately. Stop between cuts and plan the next carefully, considering all possible hazards. Looks like I’m in for several trips to the doctor’s for reconstruction, but all and all it could have been worse, I didn‘t lose it totally. Hope this helps whoever reads this. Jim

gfernandez · 10-12-2009, 08:31 PM

Ouch, sorry to hear about your accident, but thanks for posting this as a reminder to all of us to be safe. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

WoodWrangler · 10-12-2009, 08:35 PM

Never want to read this, but thank you for sharing. I hope you heal soon and get back at it ...

eyekode · 10-12-2009, 08:45 PM

I am sorry to hear this as well. Thanks for sharing and I hope you heal quickly. If you don't mind me asking what type of push stick were you using? Something like: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:u...push-stick.jpg ?
Sincerely,
Salem

boxxmaker · 10-12-2009, 08:51 PM

DANG,I hate to hear about this also.I will say a little prayer that you heal up with minimal problems.So just take care of it and get well soon.

Jim M. · 10-12-2009, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by eyekode

I am sorry to hear this as well. Thanks for sharing and I hope you heal quickly. If you don't mind me asking what type of push stick were you using? Something like: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:u...push-stick.jpg ?
Sincerely,
Salem

Yep, broke at the handle, I could see the the casting flaw, although could have cracked from dropping. Who knows. Jim

Robert Arrowood · 10-12-2009, 08:55 PM

Man I hate to hear about that.Sure hope you get better soon.

scsmith42 · 10-12-2009, 09:09 PM

Jim, my heart goes out to you, but I'm glad to hear that it wasn't worse.

Your experience is one of the reasons why I try to avoid tools from the "freight outlets", so to speak. Life's too short as it is.

Best wishes for a speed recovery.

Scott

Deano · 10-12-2009, 09:20 PM

I am truly sorry to here of your miss fortune; I hope all goes well with reconstruction of your thumb and that you are able to continue with your saw dust pile soon. Regards Deano

RandyJ · 10-12-2009, 09:26 PM

So sorry to hear of your misfortune, Jim. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

Thanks for the reminder that we all need to be very careful around our shop machines.

fergy · 10-12-2009, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jim M.

Yep, broke at the handle, I could see the the casting flaw, although could have cracked from dropping. Who knows. Jim

It's not just a "freight outlet" push stick. Klingspor and Woodcraft both sell that same one.

Good luck on the recovery.

farmerbw · 10-12-2009, 09:45 PM

Jim, sorry to hear about your accident. I wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Brian.

TracyP · 10-12-2009, 09:57 PM

Jim, as a member of the "club" I feel your pain. The worst part is I have a few of the same push sticks

. Or should I say I "had" a few of them

. Hope you heal completely.

PChristy · 10-12-2009, 10:07 PM

Jim, I am sorry to see this - I wish you a speedy recovery

FredP · 10-12-2009, 10:19 PM

hope the recovery is speedy. but look at it this way.... you did everything right and only got bit because of a faulty push stick. hard to foresee that happening. most of my accidents were caused by carelessness. no excuses for that.