Thread: Do any tools scare you?

Table saw scares me more than my other tools/machines..... less scary now it is properly tuned!

When I read these posts where people say they are scared or afraid of a machine or tool I find myself wondering if it's just hyperbole, or whether they are truly experiencing fear.

I was literally afraid of that old spindle moulder. It was so old and the cutter attachment so dodgy that I and everyone else in the workshop would duck when it was turned on. My fear was that we may not have tightened it enough and it would send a half inch chunk of tool steel flying at waist height through the workshop. Once it was going, I was fine.

The only other time I think I experienced actual fear was when we were ripping a 4" newel post on the 14" bench saw, which had no riving knife, and the post starting closing on the back of the blade. There were two of us holding it, one in feed one out, it started to smoke and it was jumping around like a live thing. We had to shut the saw down and put a wedge in the kerf to finish.

If you are truly frightened of using a tool, I guess my advice would be to not even switch it on until you feel confident and competent. Fear can lead to panic. I know more accidents probably happen from people being overly confident, but if you understand the tool, know how to use it and are prepared for what could go wrong, you shouldn't really be afraid of it.

Originally Posted by silentC

When I read these posts where people say they are scared or afraid of a machine or tool I find myself wondering if it's just hyperbole, or whether they are truly experiencing fear.
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A really good point, Silent. If you are truly frightened then you should not be using that tool.

That is why I used the word respect and very carefully avoided the use of fear or fright in my first response. Other responses imply the same considerations.

Fair Winds

Graeme

I have read every post with interest.

I don't own and have never used an angle grinder..

What makes it so dangerous? - the fact that what you are cutting will come flying at you etc?

Originally Posted by silentC

I don't think there are any tools I use that scare me as such. In fact I think that I would avoid using something at all if I was afraid of it. Fear is not a good starting point for something like that. I'd at least want someone who knew what they were doing to be there the first time.

I would say that there are some tools to which I give my utmost respect and undivided attention, and the circular saw is certainly one of them, as is the large angle grinder. Both are responsible for many industrial accidents. The table saw also shouldn't be taken for granted.

But the only thing that I have actually injured myself with is a sharp chisel.

If you've only used the saw three times in the last three years, I would put it down to being unfamiliar with the tool and I'd expect being scared to be replaced by being careful over time.

What silent said.

Do not be afraid, be careful. 3 things you need in using tools. Respect, confidence and common sense.


The only time I injured was with a chisel. One hand holding a chisel, one hand holding the work piece makes sense right? The result was 6 stitches and a very sore hand.

What makes it so dangerous?

Like any tool that has a fast rotating blade, there's a risk it will kickback at you if the blade grabs. I know a bloke who has a permanent smile because of one. Basically you have to make sure that you're not in the path that the blade would travel if it happens.

The disks are also susceptible to shattering and the shrapnel can cause injury. That's usually caused by using damaged disks or by using them improperly.

There may be others but those are the two I'm aware of.

Google this: angle grinder accident causes

Wait until after lunch though

Any tool with a rotaing sharp point(s) scare me.

HOWEVER

For real terror, it is the shaper. I have had access to one but I could never find the courage to do so.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Isn't that just a router on steroids???

Except the older ones have separate blades that sit in slots, a bit like jointer blades turned on their sides. You set them much the same way as you'd set jointer blades but they are held in place by a large capping slot and bolt. Make sure the bolt is tight. When you first turn them on after setting the blades it's best to hold a thick, wide wooden board between you an the spindle. It's also a good idea to be below bench height!

the tools im scared of are:

1) the one that holds mine when I use them

2) those who want to borrow mine because they "need to open paint tin"

3) SilentC

That's MR silentC to you, Zeddles...

Most dangerous tool...... Credit Card

On a more serious note I agree with all that's been said moreover with angle grinders of the large variety ,was cutting up an old swimming pool the other day with my 9 1/4 Makita angle grinder and am always ever mindful that they are a dangerous beast.
The fact that they are not light and if using over a long period can become unwieldy , having numerous breaks when using this helps.

Cheers

After breaking two metacarpals with my high powered electrical drill I always shiver before pushing the 12mm drill bit through the hole in the steel stirrups to go through the hardwood post while aiming for the hole on the other side.

Gary

Im coming in late on this one.Ive been carpentering for 30 years and it wasnt my first career so i was hopeless to start with no family background of any tool useage.while learning house framing in the U.S.i saw blokes who could be two stories up with one foot on a ladder and reach out overhead and make a compound cut on a rafter tail with a skill saw(worm drive),perfect cut and do it all day. some crews took the guards of their skill saws or wedged them back to speed up their work.Safety didnt exist but i didnt see much claret, mostly bad backs got them. Circ saw is like a butter knife for me. Chain saw , grinder , router ,table saw , all ok,my stitches and scars made by careless chisel and stanley knife slipage.I would never use a brick saw ,my god huge diamond blade with fingers inches away while being sprayed with cold water , be safe rossco