Lesson in safety

[Shawn/Sarnia (long)]

Last weekend I was finally able to justify replacing my 10" craftsman compound mitre saw with a nice shiney new DeWalt 12" slider. Read the manual thouroughly (or so I thought) and decided that I would like to try making a box with angled sides using the chart they provided. Having all the angles set, I figured I'm ready to go. Pulled the saw back, lowered the blade fired it up and proceeded to make the cut. All was going well, until BANG, slid the blade right into the moveable fence. This was immediately followed by a stinging sensation somewhere between my chin and my hairline (somewhat receeded). After doing a little exploratory feeling, determined that I was bleeding. After a few minutes in front of the bathroom mirror with a pair of tweezers I was able to remove the aluminum shrapnel from my face. I can laugh at myself now but it had the potential for disaster. I hope others can learn from my misfortune. So please read those manuals carefully and by all means use your safety gear. Had I have not been wearing my safety glasses I would probably be typing this in braille.

[Bob Turner Salmon Arm B.C]

Woh, sorry to hear about the mishap Shawn, glad your still with us. Yesterday was using a template on the router table and it took off. Should have been using the pins. You can't be to careful, routine is sometimes your enemy.

Nice saw you got, have fun with it.

Bob

[Andy in Georgetown]

Glad to hear you are OK Shawn.
My SCMS bit me about 18 months ago and I still have the misshapen thumb to prove it. In the world of power tools they appear fairly innocent but when you combine the RPM of the SCMS with the 12" blade you have a veritable rocket launcher.
Play safe Andy.

[J.P.Rap (Hamilton)]

Glad your ok Shawn.
Hope that shiny new toy isn't too badly damadged either.
I have to admit,I've never been much for wearing saftey glasses but these day thats the first thing I go for when I enter my shop.
J.P.

[Roman]

Ive had too many close calls and it is a miracle that I have all my fingers

Best Regards Roman

[Merv in cloudy Regina]

maybe the table saw isn't the only dangerous saw!
Remember: Safety; with all tools, including hand tools and we get to keep our digits and eyes.

[Mike in Ajax]

us that tools can be dangerous. I will bet that the majority of people who have had a serious accidents work safely the majority of the time and it is just the odd circumstance that cause the accident.

It means that we must think about every cut that we take. It always amazes me to watch Norm or John Silhots working around the blade and how they reach over for pieces, bring work back towards them with the blade still spinning. Now I know that they are pro's but these things just scare me.

If I ever worked in a production shop everyone would make fun of me (before they fired me for being too slow) as I am the guy that stops the saw before getting the work or clearing the table every time.

I respect the saw a lot and know that it only takes 1 moment of carelessness to cause a serious accident. I always think of the stupid things that I have done in other circumstances and just hope I don't do it around one of my power tools!

[jim]

HI guys just friday I was cuting scrap on my chop saw u know cuting thinkin and then i hear this clink looked down and I wes glad I had the gold band on that day the ring has a tooth mark but the finger is ok. work safe.

[Andy in Georgetown]

"Familiarity breeds contempt"
I too am amazed at the disregard for safety exhibited by the Normies and Siloats, they my be very experienced but they are still mortals.
Andy.