dave@fluke.UUCP (Dave Van Ess) (12/17/85)
It is my hope that in writing this that others might benifit from my my stupid mistakes. I hope that no one who is considering to start wood working as a hobby is put off by this. I still enjoy woodworking and will continue to do it. Three weeks ago I put my thumb into my table saw blade. A kickback resulted in me pulling my thumb thru the blade. I was very fortunate that all the damage to my thumb was repairable. In retrospect there are some things I could have done to prevent this. Wrong Attitude I was very hurried that day. I was behind schedule and was trying to catch up. I had made several measuring mistakes. This was a good clue that I was moving to fast. I choose to ignore these hints. Taking my saw for granted I am very relaxed around my saw, maybe even to much. A 1&1/2 motor backs alot of kickback. Lack of push sticks I had a push stick for my right hand. Unforunately it was my left hand that got it. I'm left handed. My corrections to the problem. I now have a large collection of push sticks and a new respect for my saw. Any attitude problems I have are left at the kitchen door (or I don't go out). I will never put my hands behind a saw blade with wood still in it,.. ever. Good book to read Fine Woodworking has a book of collected articles called "The Small Shop". It has some good reading about safety, lung and eye protection, etc. I highly recommend it. It's about 6 or 7 dollars. Dave Van Ess John Fluke Mfg Co Everett WA ps I suppose my accident could be called a "freud"-ian slip. Well, at least I'm laughing.