A while back someone posted something about buying a table saw to cut 4'x8's in half...and I posted something to the effect of "having respect for equipment".
Well yesterday I broke that rule and nearly had a serious incdent.
My radial arm saw has vaccum hooked to it and ithe hose clogged...Patsee noticed it first and without thinking twice about it I reached behind the whirling saw and reached inside the catch compartment to release the clog when all of a sudden the saw just exploded with noise and flying shrapnel...something hit me in the arm and at the same time I saw Patsee duck then reach for the saw. Apparently I had left a 4" wide 4' long straight edge on the cutting table (and a cup of coffee) when the saw rolled out far enough it caught the straight edge slammed it into the fence (obliterating the full cup of coffee ito a hundred pieces)jumped over the straight edge and cut it into. Part of the straight edge hit me in the arm (nothing serious but could have been)all this lasted only a second but scared the hell out of both of us.
Now usually I don't tell on myself but I think everyone here should know... so they don't make the same STUPID mistake I did.
It really made me mad when I realized how STUPID and careless I had been .
What scared me the most was Pat was standing right there next to me and she narrowly missed being seriously hurt as well.
A little more adrenalin than a small sign shop should be required to produce. Thank God neither of us were hurt and I will pay a lot more respect to the radial arm saw from here on out.
New rule (an old one disregarded) nothing is to be laid on the cutting surface of the radial arm saw.
I'm 59 years old (and have all ten digits)this is only the second incident I've had with saws (the first was with a table saw 10 years back when a kickback drove a piece of oak half way thru my right (lettering) hand.
THERE WILL NOT BE A THIRD!
Please be careful and attentive when you are running any power equipment (and yes respect them) and let my lesson serve as a reminder to you!
[ October 22, 2004, 08:02 AM: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Glad to hear that neither of you were seriously hurt. Those things are scary! Afterwards you think about "what might have happened" and then you are really thankful...and even more nervous.
Also, they happen so fast that you don't have time to react.
My table saw story involved some PVC. A piece got jammed next to the fence and kicked back right into my hand. Cut me up some but nothing serious. The first thing you do is count the fingers.
Another time I was ripping some lumber and the jam sent the piece past me into the wall and then right back at me, just missing my head. The heart rate goes up quickly.
Most of the stories you hear are when people become careless or get in a hurry. You just have to be aware of what the equipment can do...or not do at all times.
Good to hear this one came out OK.
Edit for one more story: When my brother (the one who died recently) was younger he was pushing a board through a jointer when his hand slipped and went into the blades. He lost about an inch of one finger before he could get away from it. In that case there is nothing to sew back on.
[ October 21, 2004, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
WAKE UP CALL! Thanks for sharing Monte. We are especially glad you both are OK. Coffee cups are free, (sometimes) fingers and life is not. Posted by Darryl Gomes (Member # 98) on :
I have heard that Radial Arm Saws take more body parts than all other shop tools combined. Most people pull the saw out when they should be pushing it in to cut. The blade wants to come at you when you pull it because you are pulling in the same direction as the blade is turning.
Glad to hear that you can still count to ten.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Monte,
I have a life long reminder of how dangerous saws cane be. as a kid I would always shake my grandfathers hand...which had only two fingers and a thumb. To a kid that was disturbing enough and it remains imbedded in my mind to this day.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Just another tip: If you don't already do it, ALWAYS unplug power tools when not in use when you have kids apt to be in & out of the shop . . .I tuck the table saw cord away behind the table when not in use and the switch is hidden underneath the front. . . . I make Emily and all the neighborhood kids go OUT any time I'm usin' power tools or sprayin' paint . . .
BTW, Monte . . .was that "plain" stupid , or "palin'" stupid as in, you turned white as a ghost??
[ October 21, 2004, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Sheila Ferrell ]
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I grew up around powertools as my dad had a slick woodworking shop setup in the basement of the house. He always stressed safety to the point that I was afraid of using those tools and would never touch them unless he was there to supervise.
I remember one time he was using the tablesaw, doing everything right, and the blade kicked up a splinter, sent it up underneath his safety glasses and into his eye. I learned then that even when taking every precaution there is still danger.
The right way to use a radial arm saw is to lock your elbow straight and lock your shoulder, twist your torso, allowing the blade to slowly walk a short distance. If you have a larger piece to cut you clamp it to the table then keeping the elbow and shoulder locked, step back with your feet. This keeps your body braced to keep that saw from jumping out at you. At least, that's the way I was taught to use one by both my dad and the woodshop instructor in school.
Shiela, many of the powertools I grew up with had safety keys in the switches. If the key was removed, the switch would not operate, thus kids can not turn them on accidentally.
The great thing about powertools is, they are always sure to remind you of the fact you're getting careless. Just recently I was changing a sanding disc on a right angle die grinder. I didn't disconnect it from the airline and it reminded me when I bumped the trigger and lost a little skin from a knuckle. Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
Monte,
Wow! Glad your horror story doesn't include serious injury.
Basically, I work alone, although sharing space with another business. Whenever I start up a power tool, (especially the table saw and radial arm saw-both loud & humming) at some point, I can expect to see one of the guys peering at me, from the corner of my eye.
Using the table saw, (pretty huge) I've experienced a kick back, that scared the bejesus out of me. It missed me, but instilled a lot of respect and some fear!
I have a habit of keeping everything unplugged, ESPECIALLY, when changing bits & blades, etc...
One of my motto's is: Slow down, you'll go faster... Think safety first, ALWAYS!!!
Cher.
Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
Monte said "New rule (an old one disregarded) nothing is to be laid on the cutting surface of the radial arm saw." -------------------------- Amen, brother. Nothing is ever to be laid on the surface of any power saw. Not food, not drink, not ashtray, not paper, not nothing, not even when it's unplugged. Treat it like a piece of furniture in a spoiled kid's room, and you will have some horror stories to add to these that you've already read here. My boss forgot for an instant, and lost a ring finger just above the main knuckle. Fortunately, he has supportive friends who always greet him with "Hiya, Eddie! Gimme 4½!"
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
NEVER>>>>>>NEVER>>>>>>NEVER operate a power tool if you're tired, upset, depressed, in a hurry or under the influence of drugs or alcohol....In other words with a clear head. Keep you mind on what you're doing at all times. An acquaintance of mine had three fingers lobbed off by a table saw and I think about that almost every time I use mine. It would be tough(er) to play my guitar with missing fingers.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Power tools deserve a lot of respect from anyone who uses them.
I taught my son Peter at a young age to respect the power tools. For the first while I would watch him closely. He did things right, as I had taught him. I remember one time I was in the next room with a client and Peter was using the tools. And just as I had taught him he yelled out "FINGERS!" before turning on the saw. My client quieried the call and I explained that it was the rule. Peter had to call it out before he turned on the tool and before that he had to check everything around for safety taking special note of where his hands were.
To this day I don't operate a power tool without saying that same word at least in my head, and before I do I perform the same safety check.
Even so stuff happens. Unexpected stuff. My uncle lost the better part of three fingers on his left hand a couple of weeks ago when his wedding ring was caught by the saw and dragged his hand with it.
There's no undoing the massive damage that can happen in a fraction of a second of carelessness.
Be careful out there!
-dan
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
on the safety subject... BUNGEE CORDS also deserve a lot of respect. I worked at a sign shop with a guy who had one glass eye. he got it from a bungee cord backlash. I've thought about him almost every time I used one for the first several years since working there. Lately, I wouldn't think about him every time.. but I did think of him when one end of a bungee got hung up on a bunch of tools. I thought "remember Jeff" then instead of yanking the cord, I knew I should move the obstacles required to simply untangle it... but instead I thought... "remember Jeff... & yank LIGHTLY" Well one light tug & I had a solid metal crack to the eyebrow 3/4" of an inch from my eyeball & hard enough to scrape the skin off...BAM!! now I'm back to thinking of Jeff (& my luckyass) EVERY time I use them fool thangs.
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
Last October I was using my panel saw to cut off about 3/4" from two 2' x 3' pieces of Alucobond. I pushed one through with my back to the saw to keep the sawdust and aluminum fragments out of my face. As I used the second one to puth the first one through, the offcut fell into the blade and kicked back, shooting it into my right hand. It went over 1/4" deep and 2" long; it broke my middle knuckle next to my hand. It was like getting hit with a hammer. I sent someone to the drug store to get some Neosporin and butterfly closures and never went to the doctor. It was months before I could really use it again. I finally figured out the problem - a dull blade. Well, like Dusty says "If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough." Here's your sign Ricky.
Posted by Tim Whitcher (Member # 685) on :
Monte, Glad to hear you're ok. I'm the guy who posted about ripping 4x8's in half. I wanted you to know that your advice (and others) didn't fall on deaf ears. I've decided to buy a vertical panel saw. I'll probably buy a small table saw as well for cutting smaller boards. I'm very respectful of power equipment (afraid); that's why I've held off for so long in buying any. Stay safe.
Posted by Tony B (Member # 935) on :
My dad's been a carpenter all his life in the boatbuilding industry.
He taught me that saws have no concience, and they don't stop after they cut you. He's been cut a few times, but still has all his fingers.
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
My Dad lost his left thumb to a tablesaw, as he fed wood thru saw, blade hit a knot and exploded taking his thumb with it. Nasty, be careful with tools, never know for sure how they'll act sometimes....
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
ANGLE GRINDERS !!!!
Nasty things. They don't have a "dead man's" switch. In other word, you turn them on, they stay on.
Working with one and got a phone call. Switched it off and at the wall socket too. Apprentice picked it up to finish the job for me. Switched it on ... no power. Put it down on a padded stool and then switched the power on at the wall
The stool honestly went right across the workshop. The apprentice just got missed by the flying grinder which finally shut off after it tore the plug out of the wall socket!
Next one: Up a 15ft ladder cutting down a metal sign frame with a grinder. Blade caught and literally flew apart. Almost threw me off the ladder. But the Gods were smiling on me cause the shrapnel missed me but bits landed on a couple of cars in the lot next door. Didn't make a profit outa that job after paying the excess on my Insurance policy!
Posted by Wayne Osborne (Member # 4569) on :
WOOOO Guys,Reading all these posts leaves me cold, I'm thinking of printing it out and sticking it to the Powertool cupboard door in the shop. Be careful out there.
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i use a full face shield(the plastic ones)when i use my panel or table saw...i know i look silly but i don't care. i also look like a defeated boxer right now...i have a black eye(because i rubbed my eye with my knuckle and had alumilite debris on it) must have broken some sensitive blood vessles under my eye...i also have this black and blue on my chin from moving boards and having a corner of one catch me in the chopper...my husbands away so i can't even blame him.lol! its just clutzy ol me!
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Do it, Wayne, . . .here goes a coupl'a more close calls . . .
My table saw is belt-driven . . . .(it's on a home-made table with angle-iron legs with the motor mounted underneath on a shelf near the floor) The switch is on the front underneath the table . . but I was IN A HURRY and reached around the side and the belt lifted my pinkie nail at a really odd-angle . . . Then my "hand" came over to work one day and he did the SAME thing. I FINALLY put a guard on it while he stood there bleedin' to death . . . . moral of the story: Hey! Spinning belts cut too . . . .
I also toted 12 stitches on the OTHER pinkie from the blade on this same table saw because I was reaching for a scrap of wood. My pinkie did it's best impersonation of hamburger meat that day...I did'nt know a pinkie could HOLD 12 stitches . . .
How did I do it?? IN A HURRY.
Make a yeild-yellow, 'S L O W' sign and hang it over your work area . . .
The other guy: One of my contractor buddy's had a guy workin' for him settin' trusses . . .he was using a nail-gun... . kneeling down on the top-plate . . .trying to get at just the right angle . . . he nailed his own knee in a kneeling position . . .he did'nt fall, but they like never to have got him down . . . .
HOW? He was freshly-stoned and had a stale hang-over from the previous night . . . .
One more:
Walking miracle: My son-in-law's father, holding the nail-gun on the opposite side of a stud and trying to look around to see where he was shooting . . .missed and shot himself in the chest missing his heart by 1/4"!! Did'nt even know realize he'd done it until he noticed a little blood and went to the ER.
HOW?? Not stoned, not high, not in a hurry. . . just careless and not THINKING.
Oh yeh . .. wanna see me fire a guy ON THE SPOT? My number one construction pet-peeve . . .some hot-dog holding a board across his thigh tryin' to cut it with a skil-saw. . . . Posted by Steve Racz (Member # 4376) on :
Monty,
Glad you are OK!
I gave my table saw to my son-in-law. I was always afraid of that thing.
I love my band saw and jig saw but am very careful with them too.
If i were to need a table saw for a lot of work, i think i would buy a Festool circular saw with the guide (learned from a post a few months ago).
Thanks, Steve
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Speaking of belts, here's a little tip to make your belt driven tablesaw run as smooth as a sewing machine.
Install one of those "link belts" on your belt driven saw. I put one on mine because it was shaking like an old car with no shocks and the tires out of balance. The difference was like night and day. It runs smoother than new.
I make all of the joints for laminating redwood signs on my saw. And, when ripping boards (especially narrow ones) I use a push stick and some feather boards. The push stick will save your fingers and the feather boards will make the piece hug the fence and , most importantly, eliminate kickbacks. You can make your own in about 10 minutes.
[ October 22, 2004, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
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on your belt driven saw. I put one on mine because it was shaking like an old car with no shocks and the tires out of balance. The difference was like night and day. It runs smoother than new.