close call - kickback

[merrill77]

Well, I knew it was going to happen. I was ripping a bevel on a long, thin piece of hardboard. I have a right-tilt saw...and was not using a hold-down on the fence. I had just completed this operation earlier, but the smooth side of the hardboard was down and the rough side was up -- making it easy to push with my pushstick right in the middle of the piece. But this time, the smooth side was up and the rough side down. My push stick (literally...a scrap of wood) started to loose grip. I should have stopped and backed away right then, but instead I moved the stick back to push from the tail end of the piece. Of course, there is now nothing holding down the leading end of the hardboard. Should have been using the push block. Right as the front end of the piece reached the back side of the blade, I new it was coming...

Here is the perpetrator:

Here is the victim:

`

Why was I less careful than normal? Because it was just a little piece of hardboard? It rhymes with cardboard...how strong could that stuff be? Well, strong enough to leave a bruise. Lesson learned. Inexpensively. I am grateful...since I was also not wearing my safety glasses :swoon:

 

[JimmyC]

Ohhhh...that's gonna cause a nice bruise ! :BangHeadAMHIKT

Glad everything is okay.

 

[TracyP]

Glad you are OK. It could have been a lot worse.

 

[Trent Mason]

Definitely could've been worse. I'm glad you're ok. :icon_thum

 

[cpowell]

Glad you got off with a warning shot.

Thanks for reminding us it only takes a millisecond...

Chuck

 

[redhawknc1]

Glad you are ok and only got a bruise...I broke my middle finger on my right hand last year with a kickback. The finger is still stiff. Now, I think about every cut I make!

 

[CrealBilly]

Glad you are ok and only got a bruise...I broke my middle finger on my right hand last year with a kickback. The finger is still stiff. Now, I think about every cut I make!

It's rare I get kickback on my TS but I'm extra careful since I cut the tip off my left thumbs several years ago. I'm glad there were no injuries but a piece of flat wood and a bruise.

 

[MrAudio815]

Whew, sorry to hear about the kick back. But when you say to yourself this might happen, well you might just want to stop. I am glad you didn't get too hurt.

My unlce told me many years ago how he scares himself before he goes into the shop by imagining he cut off his fingers. He is extra carefull each time. I have used his advice and have been greatful.

 

[FuzzWuzz16]

Glad to see it was a scare and thank you for keeping us on our toes about how easily this happens.

And please remember Norm's immortal words, "And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these — safety glasses."

Jim

 

[fergy]

It's rare I get kickback on my TS but I'm extra careful since I cut the tip off my left thumbs several years ago. I'm glad there were no injuries but a piece of flat wood and a bruise.

Ah, that's because you've got too many of them. :gar-Bi

My kickback accident broke my left ring finger, and tore the last digit of that finger 2/3 through. I had to "flip the tip" back over the end of the finger and hold it in place until I got to the ER. And for the record, clean Baby Wipes don't hurt as bad in a cut as you'd think they would.

That finger is still dead a little on the end.

Merrill,
If that rivet on your jeans is the one I think it is, you should be really happy that you were slightly rotated when that thing kicked back.

 

[McRabbet]

Another clear example of why you need to use push sticks and hold downs. You're lucky that you didn't get more than a bruise. And please don those safety glasses -- they come in pairs and are replaceable, but your eyes aren't!

One other comment.

My push stick (literally...a scrap of wood) started to loose grip.

Use a proper push stick -- DAMHIKT! This is also an example of not using the proper push stick or a zero clearance insert and cutting thin strips the wrong way (always leave the fat part of the source wood against the fence)!

 

[rickc]

Whew! Close call. As said before - glad you are OK and the wake up call was relatively harmless.

 

[Gofor]

.... I'm extra careful since I cut the tip off my left thumbs several years ago.....

How many left thumbs do you have left?

Go

 

[pcooper]

Funny how I noticed this thread while nursing my own bruise that I got from kickback, and to boot I was using a proper push stick, and thinking at that very moment how bad kickback would be, and then WHOAAA!!! it happened. I took a piece of plywood in the gut, didn't cut me, but sure did hurt like the dickens. I took pictures, but no one wants to see those I'm sure. I saved the scrap piece of plywood that has the saw kerf on it, and will hang it on the wall in a prominent place to remind me of the pain. This is the second time for that since I've been doing woodworking, hopefully there won't be a third.:no:

 

[stave]

Glad you are only bruised and shaken..nothing like a wake up call.
Last year i was cutting a thin strip on the table saw. I was using a push stick and had the blade less than an 1/8" above the wood. The wood was smooth and the push stick slipped and my hand went straight into the splitter and the blade nicked my finger. Needless to say I was doing everything "right" but it still cost me a bunch of money and pain. From now on my push sticks either have a notch for thick wood or a sandpaper covered end for thin stock. You can never be to careful when it comes to safety.

Stave