Today I joined an unfortunate club (long)

[Jim M.]

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

[McRabbet]

Jim,

Very sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident. Sadly, most of the routine "push sticks" have an inherent flaw -- if they fail, the hand that held them moves forward and down into the very blade one is trying to avoid. I prefer a pusher that allows one to maintain a forward push with no downward component. IMHO, the Gripper type push devices are quite safe although I don't own one (yet).

[mikeacg]

Jim,

Ouch! So sorry to hear about your accident!
Let me know if I can do anything to help you while you are healing.

[Bas]

Jim, thanks for the reminder about safety. Can't hear that too often. I hope you heal soon!

[froglips]

So sorry you had this happen to you.

I really appreciate your taking the time to share your experience with us. These hard, shared lessons are one of the ways we all learn to be safer woodworkers.

All the best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Jim

[Partman]

Sorry to hear this news, hope the recovery is speedy. I will be thinking of you.

Danny

[ScottM]

I'm real sorry Jim. Get well soon.

[Tar Heel]

Jim, I hope you heal quickly. I can empathize with you. It was a year ago today that I had surgery on my thumb that the tablesaw almost amputated due to carelessness on my part.

[Trent Mason]

Jim, I'm very sorry to hear about your accident, but I'm glad it wasn't worse. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

[tom hintz]

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

Jim,

Sorry to hear of your accident and I also hope recovery is quick.
I got in a lot of hot waster with table saw manufacturers both from my book and my web site for calling those types of push sticks worthless. I have heard far too many similar stories of them either slipping, breaking or simply alowing the wood to rotate because they have no directional control. I had a couple near misses early on and knew there had to be a better way. That was when I came across push handles and push pads. I continue to use only those two types at the table saw and router table not to mention the jointer where the pads were originally designed to be used.

[skeeter]

Jim, sorry to hear about your accident. Seems like we are getting far too many members in this club, almost enough for a local chapter. I can honestly say I know what you're going through. They probably told you at ER, but Wilm. Orthapedics has two hand specialists. Dr. Moore has been around a while and is very good, Dr. Reineer has only been there a couple of months but went to med school at Harvard and interned at Duke, sounds like pretty good credentials. He operated on mine and did a good job. I saw him yesterday and he was pleased with my healing so far. We have two good hands between us, so if I can help in any way let me know.

Your recovery is in my prayers!

[Jim M.]

*** UPDATE*** Thanks for all the warm wishes and prayers!

Surgery went well today, the Doc said the ER Attending did a great job saving a good bit of the damaged area and left good sections to work with. While I still have to worry about bone infection, lost some, some removed. All in all it was better than I expected. I was surprised how much better it looks with the tissue cleaned up. I still keep reliving the moment and after seeing what I can only describe as disturbing, I don't want to look in the dust collector quite yet! Jim

[Dragon]

Sorry to hear about the accident Jim. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Had a few myself over the years and will no doubt spill some more blood this winter. Seems to be a quirk of mine that I have to offer up a little blood every now and then for the tree spirits. I do try to be careful and so far I've been really lucky that some my close calls haven't resulted in serious injuries. As I get older I have to remind myself I ain't no spring chicken no more.

[Jeff Mills]

Heres to quick healing

[Splinter]

Jim, sorry to hear of your accident - glad it wasn't worse. Too many accidents happening lately. Like they said on the old "Hill Street Blues" TV series "Let's be careful out there".