I was making up a ZCI for a 3/4” dado stack. Working in the sun and getting hot and lazy. Of course, I put a board over the ZCI and started to raise the blade through it, but being hot and tired, I only held it there by hand instead of taking the 10 steps that was required to grab a couple of clamps. You can see where this is going. When the blade came through the board, it caught it and it moved, my hand with it. A very close call that could have been a lot worse. I cannot call this an accident, it was stupidity, and something I know better than to do. I hope some good comes out of it by keeping someone else from repeating my mistake.
After a bit of cleaning and a band aid, I clamped a piece of wood over the ZCI, and put the tools away for the day. Don’t work overheated or tired, tools bite. A bit out of focus, kinda hard with only 1 hand, but you get the idea.
-- I still have all my fingers
9 comments so far
Eagle1
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2042 posts in 1262 days
#1 posted 1116 days ago
OOUUUCHHH!!!
-- Tim, Missouri ....Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the heck happened
Moron
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#2 posted 1115 days ago
nasty flesh wound
-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso
OutPutter
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#3 posted 1115 days ago
Terribly lucky. Do you think you can explain in more detail what postition your finger was in when the blade coming up from under it cut it on top? It doesn’t seem to make sense to me. I know you may think this is trivial but, having experience in accident investigation tells me that in order for others to avoid a similar mistake, VERY specific information is necessary. Anything you may offer could make the difference.
-- Jim
JimDaddyO
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281 posts in 1276 days
#4 posted 1115 days ago
My hand was parallel to the blade, to the left of it about 6”, the fingertips at about the same depth in as the center of the blade. If it was any farther back I fear I would have had more trouble than a band aid could handle. Bottom line is, DON’T use your hand, use a clamp (or two).
-- I still have all my fingers
OutPutter
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1194 posts in 2187 days
#5 posted 1115 days ago
If I got this right, the blade penetrated the ZCI and grabbed the board you were holding the ZCI down with. That must mean that the hold down only covered part of the ZCI? Then, the motion of the top board being flung aside drew your finger into the blade?
-- Jim
JAGWAH
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922 posts in 1281 days
#6 posted 1115 days ago
You are very lucky indeed. And the recipient of a rare and valuable scar. If you look often at that finger before every TS use you just may avoid another accident thanks to it’s juju power.
-- ~Just A Guy With A Hammer~
BritBoxmaker
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4054 posts in 1233 days
#7 posted 1115 days ago
Its subtle reminders like this that keep us safe®. The stupid gene is in all of us.
Thanks for posting
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com
JimDaddyO
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281 posts in 1276 days
#8 posted 1115 days ago
Outputter: The blade caught the board I was holding over top as it came through that board.
-- I still have all my fingers
JAGWAH
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922 posts in 1281 days
#9 posted 1115 days ago
Stupid gene? I’d say gene of enlightenment! Enlightenment comes at a cost. Yours was a small price , mine was 6 stitches and a numb thumb. Don’t waste the gift.
-- ~Just A Guy With A Hammer~
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