I was wasn't paying attention. I was ripping a 1/4' strip off a 3/4 x 3/4 piece of stock about 18'' long. About 2/3 through the cut I stopped to grab a push stick which wasn't with in reach, so I reached behind the blade to pull the stock on through. But for some reason put my fingers straight down on top the blade. Not much damage buy there going to be sore tomorrow.

Ouch and yes, you'll be sore tomorrow.  Sure could have been worse though.

---

Ron Dudelston
Site Host


Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Wow! You certainly were lucky it wasn't any worse. A good case for keeping the blade as low as possible.

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

keep them pinkies out of harms way~!!

Rich, I hate to tell ya man, but your going to be sore for a looooong time! The tips of the fingers take forever to recover. I had a "minor" brush like you had 15 years ago and my fingers are still sensitive when pressure is applied. Seems like it never really heals all the way, the nerves just stay very alive after something like that. I couldn't play my guitar for about 6 months after.

I am so glad your fine.

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

You were very lucky Rich. Like John, I nicked my thumb about 6 years ago and it still feels funny. I can still use it and all, but I know it's there and it makes me think whenever I grab anything!

---

Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Rich

Count your blessings. The last time had this type of accident, My middle finger on the left hand had to re-attached and the ring finger and index finger were just covered for healing, 3 Months later I could use them and this was because of cutting a think piece to size for a Queen Anne Table to the Mrs. No negligence or bad on my part. Cutting 3" pieces to size it's risk's. A lesson well learned. Hope you heal fast my friend and it doesn't interfere much with daily life. Count your blessings.

---

Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Yes sir, 

You are quite fortunate. The last time I had a fight with a table saw, it took a doctor 4hrs to reassemble the central slip on the middle finger, and do a skin graft on the index finger of my left hand. Still do not have the motion that i had before. Went through 4 mths of therapy twice a week also.

---

No greater Loves than God, Family, Friends, country, the sight of flying chips and the smell of saw dust.

Wayne sounds like we both have horror stories.  Having major saw injuries on both hands you would think i would learn.

Wayne Mahler said:

Rich

Count your blessings. The last time had this type of accident, My middle finger on the left hand had to re-attached and the ring finger and index finger were just covered for healing, 3 Months later I could use them and this was because of cutting a think piece to size for a Queen Anne Table to the Mrs. No negligence or bad on my part. Cutting 3" pieces to size it's risk's. A lesson well learned. Hope you heal fast my friend and it doesn't interfere much with daily life. Count your blessings.

---

Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Rich,

Ouch!

Yeah they'll be tender for awhile. But you were lucky it wasn't worse.

Take Care

 

Larry

OWWM Forum Host

Thanks for the replies. I pretty much know what to expect with healing and possible loss of sensation. I did pretty much the same thing about 8 years ago but on the jointer. 3 finger tips on the other hand with even less damage and they don't still feel quite right. Next time I'll do it differently.

Thank God you didn't loose your fingers. Hope you recover quickly. Think of it this way, you'll be able to hold chop sticks easier.

My run in with the table saw happened while I was building doll cradles for my daughters for Christmas. I had just finished cutting a bunch of 3/4" dados when I noticed I needed to trim the edge of one piece and I switched to a combo blade but didn't switch my brain and ran the board through like I was cutting dados. I also only have the blade above the work the height of one tooth otherwise I'd have lost all my fingers but as it was I cut halfway through the fingers into the bones at the palm joint. Now whenever I turn on a power tool I actually see in my minds eye a color slow motion video of my hand going into the saw blade.

I would guess a lot of us horror stories. Like a lot I was fortunate that I kept my fingers. An extremely valuable lesson was learned in the process, not worth 3 months of work while healing, and the after math is very annoying. I use my hands for my day job, and we all know how they play a part in woodworking. Never rush, remove the safety equipment and always pay attention very closely to your work.

---

Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

darn - my stomach gave a double flip seeing the picture.  Very fortunate.  Reccon that will be the last time you will do that, eh?

---

Fred
aka Pop's Shop
www.pops-shop.com
EX-21
'Don't complain about the storm - learn to dance in the rain.'

Glad you are okay and it wasn't worse than it was. Hope it heals soon and everything is okay. Man that can even make  it hard to type and we don't want you not being able to post!

Best of luck with the healing!!

---

John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com