jim crockett
Member
- Messages
- 120
- Location
- Jay, Maine
Yesterday, I was making a zero-clearance throat plate for my tablesaw. Since the blade, when lowered, only sits 1/16” below the table top, I inserted an old insert without a splitter, carefully aligned the new insert atop the old one, held it down with a piece of 2×4 and began raising the blade. I raised the blade a few turns, turned the saw off, and removed the 2×4 to check my progress. Since the slot was only a couple of inches long, I wanted to raise the blade some more and make it longer. But, instead of either using the piece of 2×4 again or lowering the blade and replacing the old insert with the new one, I decided to simply hold it with my hand.
I’m sure you can guess the results – the insert I was holding immediately kicked back and my hand went into the spinning blade. After six hours in the ER, bleeding profusely, and another six hours in the OR and Recovery, I left the hospital with all fingers still attached, the gaping wound and severed tendon and nerves of my middle finger and the the deep laceration on my index finger repaired. I’m typing this report one-handed because of an instant’s lack of attention and a very poor decision. Luckily, I still have all of my fingers and several weeks from now will be able to return to my woodworking hobby!
Please don’t let this happen to you!
Jim Crockett
I’m sure you can guess the results – the insert I was holding immediately kicked back and my hand went into the spinning blade. After six hours in the ER, bleeding profusely, and another six hours in the OR and Recovery, I left the hospital with all fingers still attached, the gaping wound and severed tendon and nerves of my middle finger and the the deep laceration on my index finger repaired. I’m typing this report one-handed because of an instant’s lack of attention and a very poor decision. Luckily, I still have all of my fingers and several weeks from now will be able to return to my woodworking hobby!
Please don’t let this happen to you!
Jim Crockett