Thread: Take your rings off when using power tools

Still wincing after viewing that one. Used to work around large battery installations in telephone exchanges and one thing we never wore was rings, if your ring came across the battery terminals it didn't tear or deglove it exploded and blew off the finger.

I don't want to upset anyone because they believe this is not possible with a power tool. To those persons, please wear your rings when using power tools there is no danger, especially those with rotating parts. If so inclined also wear a neck tie and a shirt with sleeves that dangle, because unless every little detail is explained for every power tool there will always be an excuse. Taking a ring off is a very difficult task after all.

But I thought..........
But I didn't...........
But.....
But.....
But.....

Nice dodge, any chance of an answer?

If a ring comes into contact with rotating machinery you are likely to lose the body part all together, not de glove it.

You can't compare wearing a ring around rotating machinery to wearing a tie or loose clothing.

I'll ask again, how would this injury occur using a power tool?

Originally Posted by FIXANYTHING

Still wincing after viewing that one. Used to work around large battery installations in telephone exchanges and one thing we never wore was rings, if your ring came across the battery terminals it didn't tear or deglove it exploded and blew off the finger.

lol, thats a easy way to remove it if you have to saves paying to have it cut off.




I didnt say it wouldnt hurt.

The purpose of my post is not to state one set of circumstances for one machine that increases the risk of degloving. It's the unseen event that usually causes accidents including degloving. Unseen because of complacency as a general rule.

So lets take this to the next level.

Someone names a power tool with rotating parts (minimum 750 Watt so its got enough power to do the job properly).

Forum readers (including me) give you scenarios where degloving could occur. It may be a highly unlikely scenario but the injury would not have been as severe if the ring was not present.

Circular saw

Originally Posted by Jack E

Circular saw

You could get your ring caught on the tool cupboard latch while removing the saw ...

True :u:u:u

Must admit I've always found it difficult to understand how a power tool can cause that type of injury - not saying it doesn't happen: it obviously does.

I think that if someone could give examples of exactly how it happens, then the message might be more inclined to get through. About the only thing I've heard of is rings getting caught by a rotating chuck on a drill press, but the question is, why was the hand anywhere near the chuck in the first place?

Regarding jumping off the back of a truck, my old man knew a bloke who impaled himself on a shovel handle which had been leant up against the bed of the truck. Not pretty.

I heard of the same thing happening to a soldier jumping out of a Unimog onto a star picket, ouch

thanks for this.
now im so scared i never wear the ring my friend gave me.

Yep over time I've caught my wedding ring on various objects and thought I must take I off but never did. Now it has it's own build in safety mechanism... its busted on the joint so now it opens up when it get caught and I just close/push it back into shape, it works for me.

'Tis why I never wear mine or my watch when working, whether with power tools or just outside working

But like Jack asked ...what power tool caused the injury? If the post was to show gory pics you suceeded but the question still remains What tool caused the injury? At least answer that with honesty and people may actually take notice.
Pete