Tablesaw Accident - I'm an idiot

[Joe Unni]

Dave,

Sorry to hear about your accident. A great reminder at your expense .

Please heal fast.

Be well,
-joe

[Julio Navarro]

Cringe!!! both at your misshap and cos I do what you are describing.

Common sense always seems to be what you have after something like this happens.

Good luck and speedy recovery.

[Dave Falkenstein]

I had a remarkably similar experience about 12 years ago. I was ripping small strips without a guard. I was working late in the day, and obviously not totally alert. I ran my thumb straight into the blade, and now that thumb is noticably shorter. I still have the scars and strange sensations in the thumb to constantly remind me how easily an accident can happen. I now use a Biesemeyer splitter and an Excalibur overarm guard on the table saw whenever possible, even when the guard "gets in the way". Better safe than sorry is a hard lesson to learn. Heal quickly and be safe.

[John Miliunas]

Dave, I'm glad I can say that I do not feel your pain! Wow, man...Take it easy and I wish you the best for a quick and thorough recovery. Thanks much for the "wake up" call. I guess the single biggest piece of advice I've been given on TS safety and follow quite religiously is: Even with all safety devices in place, if the proposed cut doesn't feel totally comfortable, don't do it!!! Find an alternative or safer way of doing it! Heal quickly, Dave!

[Bob Swenson]

Dave. It hurts just to hear about your accident. If your wife
won’t let you near the TS tell her your going to get a Sawstop
Bob

[Tyler Howell]

Makes my toes tingle and pucker factor is very hi. Speedy recovery and thanks for the reminder.

[Scott Loven]

I did a double-take when I saw what I thought was the caption at the top of the picture that said "Attached Thumbnails". Glad things didn't turn out worse then they did.
Scott

[Ken Garlock]

Dave, as bad as it was, which was bad, it could have been worse I am glad to see you survived the damage.

Tell the saw to say out of those (finger) joints, and you both will be better off for it.

[Julio Navarro]

I did a double-take when I saw what I thought was the caption at the top of the picture that said "Attached Thumbnails". Glad things didn't turn out worse then they did.
Scott

Ouch!! That hurts just thinking about it!

[Charlie Mastro]

I do feel your pain.. Did this about twenty years ago pushing through a piece with the wrong hand. Never did it before or after, just that one time. Still reminds me to this day how stupid a thing I did. Hope you doc was better than mine. He didn't quite get it stiched up right and there is a slit than still opens up every once and a while like a big paper cut just remind me to never do that again.

Be safe out there

[Don Baer]

Hope you heal fast Dave and thanks for sharing. It a good reminder for all.

[Brian Buckley]

Dave,
I hope you have a speedy recovery. Thanks for the reminder . I should laminate the picture of your hand on my saw.

Brian

[Michael Ballent]

I too hope for you speedy recovery and getting back out there. So when are you getting that SawStop

[Kevin Halliburton]

Anyway, the moral of the story is to have your mind on your work and tools and use common sense... which... obviously... I lack.

Not any more you don't! I took a Skil-saw to the inside of my right leg years ago. That 6" scar is the most expensive, but far and away the most effective safety feature I ever installed. Your wife can rest easy. You are now a better, smarter, safer woodworker than you would have ever been without that painful lesson.

You are right on target to push yourself through that mental barrier with a few cuts as soon as you can too. My knees went soft at the sound of a saw blade for several hundred cuts after my accident but I knew I had to either quit for good or keep cutting my way back to mental health as soon as possible. Being overly scared of a blade can get you hurt almost as fast as a lack of respect and discipline.

Heart felt wishes for quick healing and a safe ride from here on out as you get back on that horse.

[Dennis Peacock]

Sorry about your accident Dave. May you have a speedy recovery!!!!!
Must be one reason why I shut the saw off before I reach for the cutoff, well, at least most of the time.