Table saw safety please don't take for granted

[ClaudeW]

Hi all I am a frequent visitor but never posted. I am a hobby woodworker for probably 10 years or more I have always been careful but back in February I proceeded to cut my left hand up on table saw. I've made 100's of cuts if not thousands and I am still not sure what happened it was so fast I could tell by the rpm change in saw what I did but I didn't feel a thing. I think I looked away probably thinking of my next step in project. I still have my fingers but lost the ability to bend 2 tips and a bunch of nerve lost a lot of feeling basically chewed them up instead of cutting them off and 3 fingers that will never be the same. My surgeon was awesome and honestly I'm just glad I still have my fingers. The reason I'm posting this is just to tell people to slow down take your time and pay attention please, this has changed a lot of my life everyday things home,work etc. I am back woodworking I love it to much to leave but for close to 35 years I was a guitar Player my first love which is done now but as I like to say it is what it is and not gonna cry about it and move on. So please be careful it can happen to anyone whether your tired ,distracted or rushing. I'm sure there's plenty of folks here whom have done the same or much worse!

Edited July 21, 2016 by ClaudeW

[Eric.]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune and thanks for the reminder.  Hang tough, keep makin' dust.

[..Kev]

Ditto what E said!  Awesome of you to share the experience and the reminder!

[tcarswell]

Thank you for sharing.  Threads like this are a good way to keep us focused in the shop. I thank you and I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune. 

[Chestnut]

Thanks for sharing and the reminder. I don't think that being too safe is ever a bad thing. I hope that you recover as much as you can both mentally and physically. I know the mental hurdle after something like that, for me, would be harder then the physical recovery.

[Unknown craftsman]

That's sounds bad.

It takes alot of humility to share your tablesaw accident with us.

 

Aj

[mat60]

Thank.you

[RichardA]

Been there, not as bad, but been there! It's a constant thought in my mind when working any tool that cuts..."Love your fingers"!  Shop teacher made us learn that back in 1957.  Forgot it once.... never again!  Thanks! 

[Chet]

Sorry to hear about you accident but glad to hear you are "getting back on the bike".

[wtnhighlander]

Good to hear this hasn't turned you off woodwork, but don't give up the guitar! Inspiration: https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/11/five-musicians-with-missing-and-damaged-fingers.html

[rodger.]

Thanks for sharing - a safety reminder is always time well spent.

[Coop]

Claude, usually I ask for pics but on this thread, maybe not. Glad you came out better than it could have been, and welcome as a contributor to the forum.

[drzaius]

Thanks for sharing that Claude. Most of us think that could never happen to me, but things do happen.

 

[Gary]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm a bass player and I literally pause before every cut with any power tool. I'm glad to get another reminder.

My son nearly lost half of his hand last year. He had fantastic surgeons and they were able to save his hand, but there was no guarantee how much movement he was going to have. He really embraced his physical therapy and has regained most of his strength and flexibility.

Stick with it and don't give up. It is tough and the progress will seem non-existent at times, but it can and will get better!

[prov163]

Claude, thanks for sharing your story. I am working on improving my hand saw skills and upgrading my bandsaw to minimize the use of my table saw. It's a great tool but even with all precautions it's inherently dangerous. It'll always be part of my shop but I hope to use it less. Plus I like the quiet of hand tools. 

[ben_r_]

Wow Claude, Im sorry you went through that. Glad you were able to keep your fingers though! I think I understand that would be a huge deal for me too! It's stories like these that make me glad I went with a SawStop! Accidents can happen to anyone at any time regardless of experience. Hope you continue to work wood and that your healing is going well!

[ClaudeW]

Thanks for the support I really wasn't looking for any just wanted to post that and maybe save someone from the same and I defiantly was one of those " that will never happen to me people! " I am saving for a sawstop?