I fought the saw and the saw won.

[markinmichigan]

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a 67 year old remodeling contractor that specializes in finish carpentry, cabinet making and molding reproduction. I love what I do and don't consider my daily activities as working. I have a full service wood working shop with almost every conceivable tool involved in the craft. CNC, fiber and CO2 lasers, industrial band saws, belt sanders, large drum sander, planers, routers, lots more. My well trained and skilled staff handle the majority of physical aspects of the business under my supervision. Wood working has always been in my blood as my grandfather, his father and previous generations worked with their hands crafting timeless creations. Grandpa would be proud of me in many ways and would think I cheat with the tools I have at my disposal.

My dearest mother passed away February 25th at the age of 86. On March 20 4:47pm I'm ripping some Michigan black walnut that my grandfather felled some 80 years ago. The walnut panels are meant for a box for my mothers ashes. I had just put a new blade on the table saw and did not put the splitter guard back on the saw.

As I've done 10's of thousands of times before, I pushed the cut off piece to the side with my left hand. In a split second, the cut off grabbed the blade and flipped my hand into the blade cutting off the thumb nail. I wrapped it up and went to the ER where they did their best. 5 hours later I'm home Motherf^ckering myself for being so careless.

Went to see a hand surgeon a couple of days later and got scheduled for plastic/reconstructive surgery. That happened 2 weeks ago today where he trimmed the bone back to roundish and tucked some skim back underneath the small amount of the nail that is left. There's a cast half ways up my left forearm. It is healing well but my life was changed drastically that day.

I'm a one handed bandit right now. I'm not posting photos because it's not pretty unless you like hamburger. Try tying your shoes, cutting your food, golfing or washing your right pit. Ain't going to happen for a while. 2 to 4 months if I behave.

So my friends, please be careful doing what ever duties you're involved in. In an eyes blink, your life can change in that moment and there is not redo's mulligans or do overs. Be safe out there.

Mark in Michigan

 

[rcornell]

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a 67 year old remodeling contractor that specializes in finish carpentry, cabinet making and molding reproduction. I love what I do and don't consider my daily activities as working. I have a full service wood working shop with almost every conceivable tool involved in the craft. CNC, fiber and CO2 lasers, industrial band saws, belt sanders, large drum sander, planers, routers, lots more. My well trained and skilled staff handle the majority of physical aspects of the business under my supervision. Wood working has always been in my blood as my grandfather, his father and previous generations worked with their hands crafting timeless creations. Grandpa would be proud of me in many ways and would think I cheat with the tools I have at my disposal.

My dearest mother passed away February 25th at the age of 86. On March 20 4:47pm I'm ripping some Michigan black walnut that my grandfather felled some 80 years ago. The walnut panels are meant for a box for my mothers ashes. I had just put a new blade on the table saw and did not put the splitter guard back on the saw.

As I've done 10's of thousands of times before, I pushed the cut off piece to the side with my left hand. In a split second, the cut off grabbed the blade and flipped my hand into the blade cutting off the thumb nail. I wrapped it up and went to the ER where they did their best. 5 hours later I'm home Motherf^ckering myself for being so careless.

Went to see a hand surgeon a couple of days later and got scheduled for plastic/reconstructive surgery. That happened 2 weeks ago today where he trimmed the bone back to roundish and tucked some skim back underneath the small amount of the nail that is left. There's a cast half ways up my left forearm. It is healing well but my life was changed drastically that day.

I'm a one handed bandit right now. I'm not posting photos because it's not pretty unless you like hamburger. Try tying your shoes, cutting your food, golfing or washing your right pit. Ain't going to happen for a while. 2 to 4 months if I behave.

So my friends, please be careful doing what ever duties you're involved in. In an eyes blink, your life can change in that moment and there is not redo's mulligans or do overs. Be safe out there.

Mark in Michigan

Sorry to hear that!! Be patient with yourself and let it heal up!

 

[stetam]

Holy crap!! It pays to go slow and be safe. Hope you recover soon.

 

[sube]

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a 67 year old remodeling contractor that specializes in finish carpentry, cabinet making and molding reproduction. I love what I do and don't consider my daily activities as working. I have a full service wood working shop with almost every conceivable tool involved in the craft. CNC, fiber and CO2 lasers, industrial band saws, belt sanders, large drum sander, planers, routers, lots more. My well trained and skilled staff handle the majority of physical aspects of the business under my supervision. Wood working has always been in my blood as my grandfather, his father and previous generations worked with their hands crafting timeless creations. Grandpa would be proud of me in many ways and would think I cheat with the tools I have at my disposal.

My dearest mother passed away February 25th at the age of 86. On March 20 4:47pm I'm ripping some Michigan black walnut that my grandfather felled some 80 years ago. The walnut panels are meant for a box for my mothers ashes. I had just put a new blade on the table saw and did not put the splitter guard back on the saw.

As I've done 10's of thousands of times before, I pushed the cut off piece to the side with my left hand. In a split second, the cut off grabbed the blade and flipped my hand into the blade cutting off the thumb nail. I wrapped it up and went to the ER where they did their best. 5 hours later I'm home Motherf^ckering myself for being so careless.

Went to see a hand surgeon a couple of days later and got scheduled for plastic/reconstructive surgery. That happened 2 weeks ago today where he trimmed the bone back to roundish and tucked some skim back underneath the small amount of the nail that is left. There's a cast half ways up my left forearm. It is healing well but my life was changed drastically that day.

I'm a one handed bandit right now. I'm not posting photos because it's not pretty unless you like hamburger. Try tying your shoes, cutting your food, golfing or washing your right pit. Ain't going to happen for a while. 2 to 4 months if I behave.

So my friends, please be careful doing what ever duties you're involved in. In an eyes blink, your life can change in that moment and there is not redo's mulligans or do overs. Be safe out there.

Mark in Michigan

Man that sucks I did woodworking and construction for 30 years still have all my digits made all my flooring mlds cabinets and furniture for the house I built .
The only injury I got was when I set a circular saw down and the guard did not close twisted my middle finger all I felt was a pinch my finger has 2 bends that don't belong lol.
I guess I learned from a carpenter that built my dads kitchen when I was 5 he told me that the jointer was the bad machine all his digits were shorter on his right hand . sube

 

[airbornebob]

Wow..that sounds painful as hell...rest and recuperate, and follow any PT you have and you'll be back two handed before you know it.

 

[Ron 71]

Iv'e been a wood finisher for nearly 30 years now, in that time I have seen a few of my friends lose digits and parts of digits.
It's never pretty and every one of them beat themselves up over it, Fact is no matter how safe you are accidents happen.
I hope yours heals up fast with minimal feeling loss in your thumb.

 

[markinswpa]

Speedy recovery my friend. While I consider myself a woodworker, no where near your level. And on occasion have left guards off thinking this is probably a bad move. I've been lucky tempting fate thus far. Although a month or so back I was running a cordless hedge trimmer and I reached to clear some debris and it got me. Luckily I was wearing gloves and the gloves saved me a trip to the E.R. So yes, your advice is a sober reminder that things can go bad in a heartbeat. Good luck. Mark

 

[bottlecap4u]

Damn Mark!!!! Feel for you buddy and coming right after you losing you dear mum! Come on down for a hunt, I’ll even swing and dig for you. Heal up my friend.

 

[MasonDixonMding]

Sorry to hear you got hurt and very sorry about your mom. That a hard one to deal with. A table saw is a dangers tool. It’s got me a couple of times. Not the blade but kick outs. In my younger days cutting things that were to small to be cutting.

 

[LatentDigger]

Glad you can still post on here with one hand. Get well soon and take care of yourself so’s to get back to diggin

 

[markinmichigan]

Sorry to hear that!! Be patient with yourself and let it heal up!

My patience is running on empty.

Holy crap!! It pays to go slow and be safe. Hope you recover soon.

Yes it does. Looking both ways when I cross a street.

when I was 5 he told me that the jointer was the bad machine all his digits were shorter on his right hand

The table saw, then the band saw and then the jointer. In that order.

It's never pretty and every one of them beat themselves up over it, Fact is no matter how safe you are accidents happen.

I am not happy with my momentary lapse of judgement. Don't take chances with saw blades, they always win.

Although a month or so back I was running a cordless hedge trimmer and I reached to clear some debris and it got me.

Those trimmers don't care what they're cutting. You were lucky!

Come on down for a hunt, I’ll even swing and dig for you.

I can swing, but I imagine it'll be cumbersome to pinpoint, dig and retrieve with 1 hand. The cast and stitches come out Thursday, then therapy for a bit.

very sorry about your mom.

Yeah, that one hurts the most. She's in a better place now.

Mark in Michigan

 

[spence]

My patience is running on empty.


Yes it does. Looking both ways when I cross a street.


The table saw, then the band saw and then the jointer. In that order.


I am not happy with my momentary lapse of judgement. Don't take chances with saw blades, they always win.


Those trimmers don't care what they're cutting. You were lucky!


I can swing, but I imagine it'll be cumbersome to pinpoint, dig and retrieve with 1 hand. The cast and stitches come out Thursday, then therapy for a bit.


Yeah, that one hurts the most. She's in a better place now.

Mark in Michigan

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a 67 year old remodeling contractor that specializes in finish carpentry, cabinet making and molding reproduction. I love what I do and don't consider my daily activities as working. I have a full service wood working shop with almost every conceivable tool involved in the craft. CNC, fiber and CO2 lasers, industrial band saws, belt sanders, large drum sander, planers, routers, lots more. My well trained and skilled staff handle the majority of physical aspects of the business under my supervision. Wood working has always been in my blood as my grandfather, his father and previous generations worked with their hands crafting timeless creations. Grandpa would be proud of me in many ways and would think I cheat with the tools I have at my disposal.

My dearest mother passed away February 25th at the age of 86. On March 20 4:47pm I'm ripping some Michigan black walnut that my grandfather felled some 80 years ago. The walnut panels are meant for a box for my mothers ashes. I had just put a new blade on the table saw and did not put the splitter guard back on the saw.

As I've done 10's of thousands of times before, I pushed the cut off piece to the side with my left hand. In a split second, the cut off grabbed the blade and flipped my hand into the blade cutting off the thumb nail. I wrapped it up and went to the ER where they did their best. 5 hours later I'm home Motherf^ckering myself for being so careless.

Went to see a hand surgeon a couple of days later and got scheduled for plastic/reconstructive surgery. That happened 2 weeks ago today where he trimmed the bone back to roundish and tucked some skim back underneath the small amount of the nail that is left. There's a cast half ways up my left forearm. It is healing well but my life was changed drastically that day.

I'm a one handed bandit right now. I'm not posting photos because it's not pretty unless you like hamburger. Try tying your shoes, cutting your food, golfing or washing your right pit. Ain't going to happen for a while. 2 to 4 months if I behave.

So my friends, please be careful doing what ever duties you're involved in. In an eyes blink, your life can change in that moment and there is not redo's mulligans or do overs. Be safe out there.

Mark in Michigan

Man I would have rather been robbed by the Craigslister. Sorry to hear about your mishap. I have had lots of hand injurys over the years. Here is my 50 pound boulder landed on it finger . My brother has the joiner fingers. I fished the parts out of the sawdust gave them to mom for the dr . I was 8.

 

[MuddyMo]

Sorry to hear and you’re being reminded all the time.
Most everyone takes chances everyday without thinking about them. It’s usually only a matter of time before something happens, hopefully just enough to make us remember in the future and not something awful.
A friend's 16 year old daughter was crossing traffic on her way to school. The sun was in her eyes and she didn’t see the car that hit and killed her.
Take the extra few seconds and be safe everyone.

 

[cellrdwellr]

I've had a few close calls with power equipment. I once put a belt sander down that I switched off, but didn't give it proper time to stop moving. It chewed up my shirt and my belly right above my belt. My flesh and clothes is was what stopped it from turning. Been kicked with many cut offs with the table saw. Hope you get well soon, luckily you can still check in here with one hand! Speedy recovery Mark!

 

[scoundrel]

I’m glad it wasn’t worse than that. I would consider that lucky. I’m in the same business. Some of the best craftsman I know are missing digits.
I kissed my finger one time with a 4 inch grinder requiring only five stitches, missing a tendon by 1 mm. Another time I was working at my house and I had to rip a 3x36 inch filler piece for a cabinet. Didn’t have a tablesaw. I clamped the piece of wood to my 2’ step ladder and used my circular saw. I tied off the spring loaded blade guard in the up position. When I finished the cut, I reflexively set the saw on the floor. The saw dug into my wood floor and shot across the room and hit the wall about 10 feet away. Missed my toes by inches. I was wearing flip-flops.

 

[Rattlehead]

Ouch! Yeah man, you don't realize how important those digits are until you lose the use of them. Speedy recovery!

 

[KingTotsalot]

When the Royal Castle was being built, we commissioned a custom cabinet maker to build our kitchen cabinets. Four months went buy and he delivered the base units and put on the Corian tops. Then he was to build the wall cabinets. Another few months went by and we had not heard from him, so His Majesty called him. He apologised for the delay, but when ripping a piece of thin cherry wood to hold one of the glass pieces in place, it kicked back, when he looked down, one end was sticking out his wrist and the other end of the same stick was protruding from near his elbow! Off to the ER, an X-ray, and surgery that afternoon with 40 stitches to seal up the incision to remove it. He was another 3 months recovering and we finally got our wall cabinets 4 months late. He said, caused it myself due to inattention and lack of the safety guard!

 

[Xxray]

Sorry to hear about the loss of you mother, and also the accident.
Table saws are extremely dangerous and account for a majority of home workshop injuries ,, And by nature, a majority of those are serious injuries. I cut plexiglas on mine quite a bit and am always nervous about that. I make efforts to mitigate any chances for incidents including always using a fresh blade, making nothing but straight cuts, inspecting the edge to make sure there are no burrs or blobs that could cause a kickback, use a pushstick and of course make sure the guards are in place and functioning properly. Also little things, like putting my dog away while I cut to make sure he doesn't startle me, putting down my cell phone ,, I often use a sheild as well, when practical. The smaller, lighter cuts can be and usually are more dangerous than the bigger ones, which tend to stay in place better by virtue of mass & weight.

Outside of home, been into heavy construction for a living as a union carpenter for over 20 years, have seen some bad accidents [including table saws] but worse that happened to me was slicing open my palm to the bone with a razor knife, very dumb mistake that I even foresaw happening. I work heights alot, so the greatest hazard for me on the job is falls. Also have to watch out for heavy machinery, last year a guy at a job site I was working at in Ann Arbor was killed by a large boom lift which slid down a muddy trench, he lost his footing trying to get out of the way.

 

[markinmichigan]

Most everyone takes chances everyday without thinking about them.

Complacency is the enemy of every woodworker, I am guilty.

My flesh and clothes is was what stopped it from turning.

That blade doesn't care what it cuts...you were lucky

The saw dug into my wood floor and shot across the room and hit the wall about 10 feet away. Missed my toes by inches. I was wearing flip-flops.

It only takes a split second and you're f^cked. At least I had safety glasses on....

always using a fresh blade,

I had just put a fresh blade on the saw and didn't put the guard back on as it was a thick piece of walnut.

Mark in Michigan

 

[hoser]

Life has delt you some harsh blows my friend. The loss of your mom is in itself devastating and now compound that with the saw accident just sucks big time. My thoughts and prayers go out to you buddy.