If you make sense of the subject like these guys...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KBGv-LCKeg
If you make sense of the subject like these guys...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KBGv-LCKeg
Ah the English language. Words can have so many subtle differences in meaning. Scared? I agree with you, not so good to be debilitated by fear.
But cautious? Maybe not so bad
So where does a given woodworker fall on the spectrum: Scared>Somewhat Frightened>Cautious>Supremely Confident>Fearlessly Macho
I've known a few woodworkers with missing digits and most of them sort of wore the last category or two like a badge. Of course their accidents were always due to factors that were not their fault. These guys are usually rabbits more than tortoises. If I may say so, maybe a dose of caution might have been in order.
I've also known some veteran woodworkers with all their digits and not a scar to show for. Those guys were closer to the middle and maybe even slightly left. They usually have patient methodical personalities. In other words, tortoises. Not so much in terms of speed but in terms of mentality and attitude.
My opinion - no shame in being a cautious (or maybe "cautiously confident") woodworker, and while I guess any subject can be over-discussed and over-analyzed, there are worse sins than discussing why machine accidents happen and how to prevent them. Maybe not a bad idea to watch others and study others' habits and make your own decision about where on the spectrum you'd like to be.
Edwin
Ed,
So we are saying the same thing.
The only differing of opinion would be my being annoyed by people whom interject their belief systems upon me others or the masses.
You know like that guy that always has something to say about how the other guy uses machines. Or that guy that always corrects your spelling knowing full well you can’t spell and never will be able to, or that guy that insists on correcting your grammar even though he knows you will never get it.
Or that guy that pretty much has to tell everyone how to do everything exactly like they do it.
That guy well that guy I’ll always speak up to in defense of myself.
I used to have this friend. He was a relentless recycler. I am also to be perfectly honest. But he was totally anti tin foil and anti styrofoam. You know I get it and for good reason. Much like straws they can’t be recycled and end up in a landfill for eternity.
Anyway I will sparingly use tin foil, whenever he would eat over if he ever saw a piece of tin foil I would hear about it. God forbid I threw it away he would fish it out of my trash. He would take it home with him and then reuse it for a multitude of purposes till it literally disintegrated. This was one of those guys I would come to figure out was unable and Unwilling to do anything anyone’s way but his own to the upteenth degree. He also corrected my spelling my grammar and on group bike rides would tell everyone how to ride there bike and where we would be going specifically each and every ride. Don’t want to wear a helmet he wouldn’t ride with you.
Point is have come across a number of these guys in my life. Often times these guys are also the workshop safety guys. You know, know it all types or complete herbs. I don’t say the last to be derogatory or anything full well knowing it is derogatory but to paint a picture as to my complete and total lack of tolerance I have for this type.
FYI I have all my fingers, if am anything I am the slow methodical executed type.
I’m also the come on guys get some dam work done type but you know..
But still I feel you and I are saying the same thing. Caution is not bad, fear is I would say, healthy respect not so much. Insisting others do as you do crazy super annoying.
Last edited by Patrick Walsh; 02-02-2020 at 1:44 PM.
Cool that we agree. But dude, what are complete herbs? I swear I'm not being a spelling nazi or wise guy know it all. I'm genuinely into vernacular.
I even googled it, but all that came up was a business called Herb's Complete Auto Repair.
Again, totally agree with you that none of us should force our workshop beliefs on others. Except maybe in the case of an employer who is enforcing safety for insurance and liability reasons. I can understand that.
Ed
I have a splitter on my saw. I made a wooden insert with a splitter on it.
It works.
I like to set the saw blade based on how high it needs to be to make the cut and safety. For certain, not clearing the blade by much will limit exposure. On the other hand, my last kickback occurred while cutting a dado. Luckily I strongly controlled the kickback, but it still hurt.
I think that using other safety features are a huge help; for example, a riven knife.
As for blade height, however, it is my understanding that changing the height changes the angle of attack of the blade when it cuts and you can affect the quality of cut, especially in plywood. That said, I found that my plywood blade seems to do a good job regardless.