Thread: Table Saw accident (dire warning!)

Bloody heck thats got to hurt.

Thanks for the warning and yes I need to slow down and consider what can happen. i've been getting lax myself.

Hope they do not die.

You are here to wake us all up and make us realise all tools have inherent dangers.

You are still artistic that will never change you just need now to change how you do it.

Hopefully some one here can link this thread to his Facebook page, I'm not on Facebook, so i can't

Sorry to hear and see what happened, that is defiantly a life changing event that will never be forgotten.

It only takes a second I really hope the fingers don't completely die and get to keep some length on those.

There will be tough times ahead dealing with this, as this will effect you emotionally once you get out of hospital and get back into day to day things.

Im feeling for you, and hope for a positive rehabilitation process.

Cheers,

Bryn

Thanks woodPixel for reminding us of the danger of tablesaws. With the tip of the blade travelling at around 900 kilometres an hour it only takes a millisecond for that damage to occur. I was on the saw for a large part of today ripping boards and I was silently thinking what that blade would do to my fingers if I touched it. Then I arrive home and read your post.
Seth's positive attitude will go a long way towards his recovery.

Thank you for your post and the reminder to all of us who use table saws (and other machines and tools for that matter).

I recall my uncle's warning when I first got a table saw: "If you're feeling tired or SWMBO says you look tired pack up there and then. Not "just one more cut". Just pack it up." I'm a hobby woodworker so that works for me and I've often thought of what my uncle has said on numerous occasions and packed my table saw up even if I've only got a few cuts to make.

I really feel for you and wish you the best for a speedy recovery.

Justin

This isn't me. I'm only reporting an incident that happened to a member of another forum.

Its bloody grim though..... Makes me want to go and buy a sawstop TOMORROW.

Originally Posted by woodPixel

This isn't me. I'm only reporting an incident that happened to a member of another forum.

Its bloody grim though..... Makes me want to go and buy a sawstop TOMORROW.

I realised that, but maybe you could link this thread to that fourm that he is on.

After seeing these last two threads on tables accidents, i had another look at the sawstop.

I still remember having to go through the dust bags trying to find a co workers finder during my apprenticeship (couldn't find it by the way, but he was super happy that he got a work cover disabilty payment of 7K if i recall and paid leave )

Unfortunately we get to see or hear of such events to often! I have seen a few of these over the years including one of Dad's customers who purchased a deWalt RADS in the late 1970's after seeing Dad's RADS in action. He lost all fingers and most of his thumb.

I sincerely hope Seth gets to keep the reconstructed fingers. He may not like them now but he will be thankful for the extra dexterity they offer in the future.

I do not know the full story, but I regularly see someone at the medical facility where I work.
He has no feet, or knees. No hands either. Just four stumps. Scoots around on a wheel chair. Saw him with some one this afternoon helping him have a snack.

How lucky is Seth.
Hope he gains some use of his right hand. It can be a long road.

I am one who also had a hand go through a table saw, but I got lucky and only just nicked my thumb. I think I posted my story here, not sure.

When using power tools, its all too easy to become complacent. I know as a tradie, especially in your younger years you get cocky and do dumb things. All I can say is think about what you are doing first, if you think is not wise then its not. I start doing things, trying to do shortcuts to save time, then think this could end bad. Its taken a while, but its starting to sink in now. In those situations I stop, and if I cant be bothered doing it properly its time to give up for the day and go do something else.

I came close last week, end of a long day doing repetitive ripping by myself instead of 2 up on the small bench...getting tired, fingers/ hands/ wrists sore, bored out of my brain: feed the machine mode and I can bench shorts by myself without even looking. Looked down and realized that this cut was going to connect fingers with saw. Wasn't close yet but another two seconds...

Poor bugger will be lucky to hold those fingers. I hope he does, but if not he can craft himself a special " push stick" prosthesis with any luck.

Not as severe as that but one of our apprentices was cutting some 3mm MDF with a cordless circ saw and it kicked back on him and cut through 2 fingers and thumb. He's been off work for over 2 months now (supposed to be a 3 month injury) and he still has little use of his thumb, but at least he didn't lose it.

Hope Seth gets the best possible outcome from such an horrific injury.

Tools

Can't even begin to imagine the pain and anguish. Hang onto the positive thought of being able to do what you enjoy. I guess more pain ( sometimes good because it means feeling in your hand) and lots of physio to come, but you can overcome. Hope it goes well and take care.

What a horrendous outcome to such a small momentary action. Apart from the lack of push stick, is there any indication on the back story to this; was there a guard and/or splitter in place, was it a slip or did a kickback occur?

Hi Seth (via WP), I'm so sorry to see your situation and thank you so much for sharing. I know there must be a lot of physical and emotional pain and I'm glad to hear that your family and friends are wrapped around you to help and support. You have made me realise how lucky I was in that my accident mangled one finger but, through good luck rather than good management, left the rest of my hand 'frightened' but untouched? The only advice I can give you is to do what the doctors and particularly the physios tell you to do, they have seen it all before! Always keep the end goal in mind, you WILL have a functioning hand, you WILL go a'smithing again and you WILL make more blades!! Of all of the good advice in the posts above, the one that rings so true to me is that "there is no such thing as just one more cut". We must all learn to stop when we are still fresh! Stay strong and I think the fact that you have posted and shared says that you are the kind of person who will.

fletty