Yep, I finally paid for not using a blade guard. :wmad:
I was ripping Red Oak Monday afternoon with the fence set to 3 1/2" from the blade and blade set 1" high. I finished a rip and the narrow cutoff started hitting the blade, so I hit the Stop button to remove it from the left side of the blade.
As the blade was spinning down I carefully reached over the blade with my left arm (I stand to the right of the fence) and slid the cutoff away from the blade.
Apparently as I brought my arm back my left thumb 'dropped' down and contacted the front of the still spinning blade at the joint just behind the thumbnail.
I grabbed a handful of clean rags and headed for the ER.
The Doc said the cut is well into the ball cavity of the joint and his diagnosis sheet that I'm taking to the hand surgeon tomorrow said complete laceration of the tendon. But, after he finished whatever he did and put in 5 stitches, I could freely bend and retract the joint so I don't see how the tendon could be lacerated.
Anyhow, I getting a guard. Anyone have experience with the Delta Uniguard on a Unisaw with Biesemeyer fence?
Y'all be careful. :wsmile:
Ken
I was ripping Red Oak Monday afternoon with the fence set to 3 1/2" from the blade and blade set 1" high. I finished a rip and the narrow cutoff started hitting the blade, so I hit the Stop button to remove it from the left side of the blade.
As the blade was spinning down I carefully reached over the blade with my left arm (I stand to the right of the fence) and slid the cutoff away from the blade.
Apparently as I brought my arm back my left thumb 'dropped' down and contacted the front of the still spinning blade at the joint just behind the thumbnail.
I grabbed a handful of clean rags and headed for the ER.
The Doc said the cut is well into the ball cavity of the joint and his diagnosis sheet that I'm taking to the hand surgeon tomorrow said complete laceration of the tendon. But, after he finished whatever he did and put in 5 stitches, I could freely bend and retract the joint so I don't see how the tendon could be lacerated.
Anyhow, I getting a guard. Anyone have experience with the Delta Uniguard on a Unisaw with Biesemeyer fence?
Y'all be careful. :wsmile:
Ken