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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Brisbane
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    1,337

    Unhappy Oh Bggrrr It Got Me

    I have some nice burls and decided to use this grinder carver to make some bowls.

    I managed to pretty well shape up a double to a point I am ready to chainsaw the bottom off it.

    I had been going for an hour and was obviously not as alert as at the beginning and my grip not as keen.

    I moved onto the second burl and was in the process of roughing it out and was in a more confined space.

    The grip on the handle had my thumb wrapped around it but as I tired I straightened it some and the grinder wheel did the rest - damm it was fast. The feeling was like the combination of a rat trap and electric shock - instantly through two gloves - outer leather and inner heavy cotton.

    It happened a week ago and I haven't returned for duty since then - time out I think.

    The most recent pic there which is as it is now shows the skin dying either side of the cut so I suspect the thumb will move back to a new line and keep the original shape rather than leave a groove with a scar.

    Lucky it wasn't worse I suppose but a reminder to stop once you lose your focus the slightest with tools such as this.
    Cheers

    TEEJAY

    There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

    (Man was born to hunt and kill)

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Brisbane
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    Default

    This is the double bowl I managed to rough out before moving to the smaller burl
    Cheers

    TEEJAY

    There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

    (Man was born to hunt and kill)

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Avoca Victoria
    Age
    81
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    10,501

    Default

    Ooowww!

    Good point though, about focus.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    64
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    13,367

    Default

    Oooh! Aaah! [cringe]
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    near Mackay
    Age
    59
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    4,639

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    Ouch !!!!! Thank goodness your thumb is still connected.

    Damn lucky it wasnt worse though. Those things could do some awful damage.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Brisbane
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    5,008

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    good reminder to us all TEEJAY.

    Cheers
    Michael
    memento mori

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    North Of The Boarder
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    68
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    16,794

    Default

    TJ now I have to decide where to show LOML this as she mentioned today its time she tried out the Arbortec.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Toowoomba Q 4350
    Posts
    9,217

    Default

    Oh TeeJay!! My finger tip is throbbing a tad in sympathy

  10. #9
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    Sep 2003
    Location
    Elimbah, QLD
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    3,336

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    Teejay,

    I think you were very lucky indeed that the damage wasn't worse. I think angle grinders are potentially very dangerous tools. I own one, but I have scarcely used it. It scares me too much.

    Rocker

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    In the shed, Melbourne
    Age
    53
    Posts
    6,883

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    Quickly feel if everything is there, howl out in pain silently as you do a silent dance around the shed holding your finger, a few as well, then squeeze it to see if blood is coming out, throw a few bandaids on, then race inside for some first aid care of the missus.

    You'll pull through, but strewth it hurts if anything touches it for a week or so. My thumb tip is still very sensitive if something touches it depending where.

    But you've suffered worse than I copped. Poor bloke.
    I make things, I just take a long time.

    www.brandhouse.net.au

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Moonta Bay in the Copper Triangle, S. Australia
    Posts
    822

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    I always baulked when an old bloke told me not to use gloves with machinery as they wil always get casught up. Instead of flicking your flesh away, it can drag your limb right into the action.

    This accident seems to confirm the old blokes beliefs.

    Get back into it though, like coming off of a horse.
    Buzza.

    "All those who believe in psycho kinesis . . . raise my hand".

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Tallahassee FL USA
    Age
    82
    Posts
    4,650

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    The thumb will most likely re-grow to its original profile, even including the fingerprints.

    Arbortech, and its second cousin Lancelot, are not very forgiving. Secure the blank by any means other than body parts (your own or anybody else's). BTDT, and one great toe no longer bends the same as its brother.

    Show 'er this entire thread, Ray.

    Joe
    Of course truth is stranger than fiction.
    Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    kiama
    Posts
    626

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    There is an American show called "extreme makeover home edition" and the carpenter was using one of those angle grinders and took the guard off to get into a section of a wooden flag he was carving for a project. Same thing he was distracted for a secong.Damn thing just about cut his hand in half he was out of action for weeks.

    One needs to be watching pretty carefully when using such a device.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Sydney,Australia
    Posts
    3,157

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    Did something similar with a table mounted router - obviously didn't tighten the fence bolts enough.

    I had to explain to the nurse at the doctors that there weren't any bits to bring in to stitch back on as it was all a thin mist over the back yard You can barely see the divot, its just a shade lighter & a bit smoother.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld.
    Age
    65
    Posts
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    Yow! I think you're lucky to get away with that amount of damage.
    I sometimes teach sculpture students to use these things, and I am very wary, almost reluctant most of the time. Even the versions with less teeth are scarey, but nothing else can remove stock like they do
    I discourage those students who seem...how should I say this... less competent in general workshop practice! Not saying you are TEEJAY, but the potential is there even with an experienced operator, especially if you lose focus. Maybe I'll use this thread as a teaching resource!!
    BTW, the bowl looks good.

    Cheers
    Andy Mac
    Change is inevitable, growth is optional.

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