What are you afraid of?

Allison,

The fact that you were not hurt is surely a blessing and for that I am thankful.

Although it was scary, you now know what to do if it ever happens again. Opening the doors slowly, standing to the side will now become part of your safety routine. A safety lesson with no injuries- a real good thing!

Lew

And you know Lew I have always done that when I thought it had broke. But yes from now on (if I dare) I will pretend like the thing has busted even if it’s been sitting for awhile. I can not even BEGIN to say how shook up I am right now. Plus I want to kick my own ass, because I am always so safe, or so I thought. I need to go eat a piece of humble pie, if I can keep it down. Thanks for replying!

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

Allison,

I have had a couple of incidents – mostly at the tablesaw. I broke a finger once and I have a scar on my abdomen from kickback. I do my best now to respect my equipment and stop when my brain says I’m about to do something dumb.

I can say the bandsaw is one the safer things in my shop. I wonder what kind of bandsaw you have and what kind of blades you are using?

Count yourself lucky!

Tim

-- www.responsetolight.com - A Woodworking & Renovation Blog & www.craftedbytim.com - I make. You buy.

Allison:
I echo Lew’s sentiment on you escaping injury.
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been bitten by kickback on my TS and always looked at my band saw as a pretty safe tool. I now know better. I will change the way I open mine up from now on.

-- Gary, South Central Wisconsin. So much to learn, so little time!

Good job ducking & weaving to escape that blade, Allison. This is actually a good topic to address. What are the most fearful machines in our shops? I say #1 table saw. We all know the guards must be removed to do many things. #2 drill press. How many times have you thought ” I should have clamped that a little rather than holding it with my hand”? Just a thought. Any others?

-- bbqKing, Lawrenceville

Important is that you are ok. You’ve now had you annual, sorry, at your young age is probably 1ce a decade,EKG and passed with flying colors (your still breathing right). personally when something goes wrong (any thing mechanical, not just the shop) I just shut it off and wait for all the noise to stop befor doing any thing, other than possibily ducking.

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

Allison – I’m so glad your not hurt, your awareness kept you from possible serious injury. No matter how safe we try to be, things can happen that cause pain or injury, such is life. I try to be safe as I can be, but things have still happened, my left hand middle finger tip passed over a set of 3/4” dado blades, due to a piece of wood shooting a sliver of wood into my right hand that was pushing the wood through, caught my attention and the wood bound because I was distracted by this, and shot back bringing my left hand with it. Shattered the tip of the bone, and took 2 surgeries to repair, and I could use a 3rd to remove a bone spur that wants to make an exit now. When I got home that day from the hospital, the first thing I did was go to my table saw, and turn it on and stand there and look at it. With arm in sling, I wanted it to know that I was back and it was not going to beat me or make me stop what I loved to do. This was my way, you will find your way to beat this and be back. The point is that I’ve been very safe, and yet it will happen to the best of us. Let fear be turned to a stronger resolve to safety, but don’t let it stop you, all good things come with some pain. My best to you, and happiness that your okay. – Dan

-- Dan Wiggins

Allison,

I lost the end of my left middle finger back to the knuckle eleven years ago to a table saw. One brief second of inattention created some real change in my life. for several months after the accident I broke out in a cold sweat every time I used a table saw. I still think about it everytime I fire up the saw. I know that’s not much consilation but don’t let it stop you from enjoying your woodworking.

Mart

Statistically the band saw causes the most (not the most grevious) injuries in a shop. Probably because people perceive it as relatively benign.

I had a 3 wheel Inca do the same thing to me. I know the feeling, nothing like trying to duck a 104” sharp spaghetti noodle flying around your shop.

-- The only easy wood project is a fire

My recent run in with my table saw is well documented here (somewhat ad nauseum), and it took me almost a month before I even plugged the saw in, much less running it to “teach” it that it wasn’t going to get the bet of me. (only partly). I still somewhat hesitate and repeat the words in my sigline, before I turn any saw on anymore. Not sure if this hesitation will ever go away or if I even want it to go away. It may have been a blessing in a way. It for sure is/was a lesson I needed.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

Allison-

I’m glad to hear your OK.

I had a run-in with a table saw about 3-4 years ago. I reached around it to grab the short 14” stock (that I was ripping at 45 degrees), and I pinched the blade. It happened so quickly, that there is no way I could have ever reacted. It cut the very tip of my right middle finger off, from just under the nail to just on top of the bone. Believe it or not, it ALL grew back with no surgery or loss of feeling.

I then experienced a time of maybe 2-3 years where I couldn’t hardly use it. I was MORE dangerous AFTER I had my accident with the saw than I was before, because I wanted to tip-toe around it. Something would bind a little, or whatever, and I wanted to cower. Please DON’T DO THAT. You know how your saw works and what to listen for. Use it carefully and attentively, just like you did before.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

Glad to hear you were not hurt my Philosophy is all machines are out to get you so I treat them accordingly with great respect and never let my guard down for give the pun.don’t be afraid of the saw just be aware. I use to work in heavy engineering and did metal friction cutting with a band saw and flying broken blades were a common thing can be quite scary the first couple of times .so when you calm down jump back in and cut something on the bandsaw don’t let it beat you

Thank goodness you escaped without injury…. that’s the most important thing.

Having said that, my warped sense of humor is conjuring up a mental image of you looking like a person who just opened one of those gag jars where the big springy thing jumps out at them. <g>

I’ve not experienced a serious injury yet (knock on wood), but early on when I was just becoming familiar with the table saw, a kickback threw a piece of wood all the way across my gara… er, shop where it lodged in the sheetrock wall. That was a wakeup call. I try very hard to always stay focused on what I am about to do, and what could possibly go wrong, before I flip the switch on a machine.

I also agree with bbqking about the drill press being deceptively dangerous, because it seems pretty harmless until you get whacked with an unclamped workpiece when a bit binds.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Sheesh, I’m so glad your ok physically. That is something that I will always be aware of for now on.

-- Jerry, Set in the foothills of the Smokey's

It almost sounds like after it broke it gathered in one compartment. The only thing holding it in place was the door. As soon as you opened the door it wanted to straighten out. I break blades all the time … thanks for the warning.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)

Glad you’re okay, Allison. The TS is far and away my most “respected” tool. I grazed a fingernail once-and shivered for about 5 min afterwards. It’s good to be aware of anything with a motor attached and plan the cut before flipping the switch.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Glad to hear you were not hurt Allison.I have a new band saw and am just learning how to use it.Your post is just in time to let me know what can happen.Thanks for sharing your incident with us.

-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?

fortunately you’re physically okay good to hear. Once the nerves settle, you’ll be good to go again.
hopefully your experience -like so many we read about – will wake us all up.
We get complacent and settle into our mundane routines. When something happens we react.
Maybe we can all be more proactive and prevent things instead of reacting to them.

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

Great to hear no injury occurred!

Your experience led you stand to the side as you opened the door. The little things you automatically did prevented you from being injured. Think about what happened, the fact that you are unhurt, and that it can happen again. Once you relax, internalize the actions that helped you, as well as anything you might do differently. Then, go use your saw.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

I’m so glad you are ok. I have had one run in with my table saw and ended up in emergency. It was to mangled to stitch, but it healed fine, just a little numbness to remind me of what happened. The worst part was my daughter coming home and seeing blood and no mom. I hadn’t expected her and didn’t realize I had left a trail or I would have let her know. She reached me right away so the panic was only momentary…sort of. I still imagine all kinds of scary things when I turn on any of my tools. Your work is to beautiful to stop making, you will get past this.

-- robbi-Yadahooty!

To Charlie, I am glad you made that joke because in all actuality it WAS just like that. Calmed down a bit this morning but playing it over and over in my mind. I simply without a doubt know that blade fell off. I just have broke to many blades to not know the difference. I was cutting a piece of hard wood that makes those blades so hot! I really think it fell and it broke when I opened the door. As scary as it was and the way I am even feeling today the truth be told what LEW brought up is a fact. No matter what, with a band saw just don’t ever open that door fast!Of course in this instant it is probably what saved me. It also brings to mind how important to know what you have around your particular tool. I knew therefore I ducked accordingly LOL!!! I could have easily ducked and knocked myself out on another table, shelves etc. So I can not thank all you enough for replying. Sometimes a little feed back can go a very llllllloooonnnnnggg way! So Thanks
PEACE!!!

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

Glad you’re OK, Allison. Your mention of horses brought to mind a major wreck I watched last summer involving a 4-up of draft horses hooked to a wagon with a fool on the lines. It was ugly but I observed my standard, ” Stay put until everything quits shakin”. Same applies to machinery. Move too soon and you could get hurt bad.

-- Thos. Angle

Allison,
So glad you are not hurt!

And also, thank you for posting this. For us newbies that have used equipment, that includes a not-so-new bandsaw, it points out we should check out our equipment before we start regularly using it and to always, always be cautious around spinny/rotating/twirling and sometimes very still very sharp objects.

-- Chip -- Manchester, Connecticut "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

Allison:

Glad you are OK. None of us like to have “scary moments” in our shop.

I’ve used my bandsaw for thirty years with only one broken blade. I can’t understand why your bandsaw breaks so many blades. My bandsaw has a gauge to set the blade tension and a means to lessen tension when the bandsaw is idle.

Maybe you need to treat yourself to a new bandsaw.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

Glad you are ok, on the positive side, you have just learned something. In all my years (40) of working with wood and machines, I have never lost my respect/fear for them. I always even if I am just making a quick cut, wear eye protection etc.
You may get away with it 100,000 times with no result. But when it does bite…...... the result can be scary.
The bandsaw however,is one of the safest machines in the shop.
I’m glad you are ok, I really like your work so get back on that saw and run it like you stole it…....

I grew up with horses. I have been stepped on by them, kicked, bucked off numbers of times, bit and even had a saddle break and was underneath getting kneed and having my head bounce on the ground.

All the time I got right back on. First horse when I was 10 years old.

Out of all that the TS kickback on a piece my hand slipped off my pushstick right at the end and a 1 inch wide, 18 inch long piece of oak came right out and hit my in the ribs. Nothing broke but it bruised pretty good and there was a 2 inch long surface cut. That hurt worse than any horse incident.

Now I use a push block where I can put pressure down and in against my fence.

-- Measure once cut twice....oh wait....ooops.

Glad you are OK Allison. I hear you on getting a good scare. I have been using table saws since I was 15 and never experienced a serious kickback until last Monday night. I was cutting a half inch off a small piece of cherry. The board wasnt more than 8” by 12” and as the fall off side dropped away, the blade caught it and slid it towards me…nothing fast, but I moved to the right to keep it from sliding into me. When I did that I must have moved the push stick to the left slightly and the board caught the rear of the blade. I heard a load bang and the board hitting the floor in front of me. It knocked the wind out of me and my chest and stomach just stung and was numb. I was afraid to look under my T shirt to see what happened. I ended up with a cut from my chest to my belt line…still a bit sore today but its healing. I sat down and put some ice on it and finally said I am not going to let it scare me so I went back to the shop and finished the cutting. It was a good lesson for sure.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

glad you are physically ok!!
Sounds like you are very safety conscious and you now have a new procedure to remember.. stand to the side when opening the door.
Must have been VERY scary

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Wow . . . Im glad you are ok Allison. I am aware of the dangers of a TS . . . but thanks to you I now know what to watch out for on a BS.

Again . . . glad you are ok.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Allison, like the others am surely glad that you were not injured. I guess what bothers me is your mentioning that you are familiar with how the saw acts when the blade is about to come off the wheels & also you have broken blades before. With the saw being three years old the problem is unlikely to be the tires. Frankly it sounds like a wheel alignment problem to me & unless you check and deal with it, you will continue to have blades come off the wheels which usually ends up breaking them or damaging the teeth to the degree that it has to be discarded. There is an excellent book titled “The Bandsaw Book” authored by Mark Duginske & published by Sterling Publishing Co.,Inc. He details how to align the wheels (coplaner) & proper set-up & maintenance of the bandsaw. I have a Delta 14” U.S. made BS with enclosed mobile base & riser kit. It is approx. 12 years old & the first thing I did when I got it was purchase the reference book & found that the wheels were not coplaner right out of the factory.
The next thing is always use a good quality blade such as the Timber Wolf made of Swedish silicone steel . Such a blade comes with instructions printed on the blade backer cardboard on how to tension the blade correctly using the “flutter” test. I have broken the odd blade but have never opened the wheel cover door until all noise has stopped….except for my cussing of course.

Lee

-- Lee

To MsDebbieP, You know I really am safety conscience. A girlfriend of mine had her hair pulled out by the roots in a machine shop where she ran some kind of Lathe (for lack of better description) Her hair came to her waist, The only thing she had to do as far as dress code was wear it in a pony-tail. Gosh we were so young at the time, maybe 18. Anyway, hair gets caught, hair is completely ripped out of her head. Why she was not scalped we never have figured out. You know her hair grew back and she could have sued the shit out of that dress code, but being the kind of person she is, the only thing she did was demand a better dress code for hair. To this day she says she should have known better, and perhaps she should have. But at 18, It was her second day on the job, It seems like someone should have known for SURE, Ya know what I mean? Anyway what I am getting at is I have ponytail holders on just about every nail in my shop along with a ponytail put ups. I have signs on my shop I think I have written about before here, that states “Safety First Allison, ain’t no one coming if you scream” Matter of fact I have never allowed my almost 7 year old grandson to even come in my shop until recently. I think that is going to stop again. Because my shop is so small I am sure has a lot to do with the way it all came down. If it had been a shop, “shop” or garage or something, that blade would have had places to go. There was no place for it to go.
And to everyone here at L.J.’s I also really don’t mean to go on and on about it. I have just never EVER came close to having something like that happen. So you live and learn and you thank your lucky stars you have a great group of people such as you all here at L.J.’s for some great words of encouragement.
Thanks you all, PEACE!!!

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

In a strange way, this incident will make you more careful about the things you do. Accidents happen…. just glad you’re ok. Seems like the longer you do something without an incident, the more comfortable you are…... I can give you a few of those from my life…. climbing up and down a 6’ ladder about 20 times and then say “why hell, I can step on the top step”..... I remember grabbing the gutter and ripping it off the house and waking up flat on my back. And then, there’s the time I was running a printing press and accidentally got my hair in the rollers…......yeah boy….. oh yes, and the time I got my hand in a press….. after a few of these, you gain some respect for what you’re working with. Glad you are ok. Work safe.
-JJ

-- JJ...... I guess you could say I'm a 54 year old "juniorjock". — Make things with wood.

Glad to hear that you are ok. I agree with everyone else… get back on the horse and beat it. Stay safe.

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

Very nasty experience buddy. You know what they say, ‘once bitten twice shy’. I too have had a blade break but fortunately not much of the blade was exposed & I was wearing a full face helmet which I think is a must with these critters. Glad to hear you are OK but don’t be put off by it, these things do happen & if you follow the safety rules you can keep personal damage to a minimum.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

You know, whoever said that woodworking is boring has never been chased around the shop by a rogue bandsaw blade!

Glad you’re alright! PEACE

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

DUCK!

I’ll bet that was exciting. Glad you made it thru that OK.

-- ??? My mistakes heat the house. It's very warm in here. ???