All it takes is one moment of stupid... (Or: Router Safety - don't do this.)

ouch we are at risk from cutting blades whirling bits and trips and falls plus flying objects . This is a dagerous activity. The best safety tool we have is between are ears and some times it’s not in full gear or not present will we are using these dangerous tools and equipment. So we all have to be on guard every second as Derek
says it just takes a moment.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Ouch!! I’ve had more than one moment of stupid, but I’ve been lucky so far.

-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY

If the best Safety tool we have is between our ears i’m in a lot of trouble. Remember keep yer hands and feet inside he ride at all times!

Normally I use a piece of scrap to mave anything near a moving blade, on any tool. I had my share of close calls, Now I approach every machine with respect not fear. If you’re scared at any moment start over.

Remember, A machine has no feelings, treat it like your worst enemy, It will always strike when you least expect it to.

Old man logic from the shop

-- Woodshop supplies at bulk discounts. www.getneds.com

Thanks for posting this. Yesterday I worked about 2” form the bit for a moment as I only had to clean out a little left over wood from a mortise. The bit quickly grabbed the piece and pulled it and my fingers towards the 3/4” straight bit. I almost lost a chunk (or two) of flesh myself. Since then your post and that incident are foremost in my mind when I hit the power button on my router.

-- Still clinging to my guns and religion.

Jim, thinking back that’s what happened. That was going to be the last pass with that bit, and I was thinking about the setup for the next bit. Bad move.

getneds, normally If I leave something near a moving blade I power down the tool so I don’t knock whatever it is into the blade and potentially have it thrown at me. This one time, I didn’t.

-- Derek, Bremerton WA --

Sorry for your injury.

Safety is the moto of the day, every day.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

hope you will be alright thanks for posting

-- projects dont pay,pieces are profitable,production is painfull

Tearen just had a router accident. He was routing a small piece and the router bit caught the piece just right and exploded. He was using a push block, but it still caught a finger and took a good chunk out of it. I ribbed him a little about just having safety week. Gottaa pay attention to our work or it will bite us

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

Always come in from the shop with as many fingers as you had when you started. I have nightmares about scenarios just like that. Yikes.

-- When the tide goes out you see who's been skinny dipping.

I really hate to hear stories like this. It is one of the hazards that we face when we decide to pursue woodworking but I am glad that your injury is not any worse than it is. I hope you get back into the shop soon.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Quae Nocent, Docent….
Those things that hurt, also teach.
Sucks, getting taught like that

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas

Thanks for telling my little secret Rustic! I will post pictures later… Let’s just say that I had to listen to my wife make fun of me at the urgent care office! Most of the damage is done to the side on my middle finger, but somehow I got damage 360 degrees around the finger. To much damage for stitches, so I will also be 3-4 weeks before I am up to 100%.

Even with this happening on Thursday night, I still finished 35 cutting boards, 15 business card holders, and some other odds and ends for my craft show today.

Been there, done that. Just takes one split second….......... hanks for the safety reminder.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps