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Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
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Author:  Dave Livermore [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Stupid people do stupid stuff and last night i joined the club.
I'm still trying to figure out how the blade jumped out of its guard, bit my fingers and returned to its original cutting job. I look at the wound across the tops of the fingers of my left hand and cant for the life of me figure out what I did.
Whatever it was it wasn't good. BUT it could have been a LOT worse and i count myself extremely lucky.

The naiks will grow back, the cuts will heal and there shouldn't be any permanent damage. I'm just out of commission for a while.


ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use a push stick and keep your hands miles from the blade.

Image
Author:  Chris Ensor [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Sorry to hear that. Heal quickly and thanks for the reminder to stay alert in the shop.
Author:  LarryH [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Trying to get that picture out of my mind. All too easy to have happen in ways that we cannot guess at times. Heal quickly.
Author:  PeterF [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Ouch :shock: . My thumb looked just like that a couple of months ago, and that was from a stupid mistake with a hand saw. It's not just power tools that are dangerous.
Author:  Kent Wilkinson [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
I keep putting my fingers up in the danger zone to. I told my self a few days ago I have to stop doing that. My dad cut his thumb off on my saw afew years ago.
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
That's weird...I know the bandsaw is potentially dangerous, and I keep my hands well away from all power tools' moving parts when they're running. But a well tuned and smooth running bandsaw is safer than most powered saws. My jointer and router table scare me more...
Author:  B. Howard [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
So sorry to hear that, I know what you are going through. I hope for your quick and complete recovery.
Author:  Tom West [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
So are table saws................................!!!

Image
Tom
Author:  WilliamS [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Another safety tip that I was reminded of last night is: When working with rare earth magnets, make sure there are no edge tools on your bench. Luckily, I narrowly escaped injury but will have to totally regrind a 1/4" chisel (that was extremely sharp).
Author:  Clay S. [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
"But a well tuned and smooth running bandsaw is safer than most powered saws."
But isn't that like saying a lion is safer than a tiger? They'll all bite you if you give them a chance.:lol:
Author:  phil [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
guys, it's tough to see these pictures, but they serve their purpose. thanks for sharing and heal quickly.
Author:  JimWomack [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Yikes Dave! Hope you have a quick recovery. I also hope it doesn't permanently affect your ability to play or build.
Tom, your table saw aftermath made me involuntarily cringe, as I had an almost identical accident a few years ago. Brought back some unpleasant memories.

Dave, Tom... heal quickly!
Author:  ernie [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Hi hope both of you heal ASAP.Know the feeling, 5 stitiches on my left thumb reminded abt 16years ago that bandsaws bite.One can never be too careful around any power or hand tool.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
:shock: Good reminder . I have so far been able to avoid getting hurt , but have had close calls . Hope you guys heal fast . Its done before you realize it and there is no going back . Stay safe everyone
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Thanks for the reminder.
My band saw seems so gentle and benign that I sometimes need a reminder.
I put up a danger-zone sign to remind me.
I plan my cuts on the band and table saw before I turn them on.
Screaming router bits still scare the heck out of me.
I was routing a pickup cavity last weekend and pulled the router out before it stopped.
The bit caught the edge of the cavity and bent the bit shaft. Brand-new bit to boot.
I consider myself lucky on that mishap.
Now if I could remember to wear a dust mask, I'd probably stop coughing all of the time.
Best Regards and hope for a speedy recovery,
Dan
Author:  cphanna [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
I'm glad you're going to be okay, Dave. There is not a tool in the shop--not even a humble screwdriver--that won't seriously mess a person up if one gets careless. I have hurt myself so many times with so many tools that it's ridiculous. Socket wrenches (came close to costing me an eye when the socket slipped off the bolt head), screwdrivers (deep wounds in my left hand), hammers (no broken bones, but a few lost finger nails), an UN-PLUGGED drill press (deep cut on the back of my hand from a still-chucked spade bit), steak knife (too gruesome to detail here), chef knife while washing dishes (even worse--might have cost me the use of my right thumb) and the list goes on. Most of these injuries happened to me decades ago, and I have developed a major-league attitude towards self protection ever since. ALL of these injuries happened to me when I was impatient, tired, distracted, or all three at the same time. I hope the tool newbies among our lurkers out there will take a good, hard look at Tom West's gory photo. He could as easily have shown us a photo of his severed finger laying there on the table. I am serious! I'm thankful that didn't happen to him. Look at that photo, and pray it never happens to you. Then take the precautionary steps to make sure it doesn't! Does this rant make me a fussy, old shop safety freak? Yes, indeed, and this thread ought to have the same effect on every common-sense tool operator out there. More than anything else I could ever include in my reply, do this: Protect your eyes at all times. No compromise on that.
Author:  Tom West [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Dave : Sorry to hear about your accident. I sort of know how you feel............................!!!!!! Excuse me for jumping on your thread but it looked like a good time to help show others what can happen. Mine happen in Oct. last year and things are somewhat back to normal. Heal quickly and all the best.
Tom
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Sorry to say, I also know what you are going through from personal experience... Heal fast, heal well, and thank your lucky stars that the damage wasn't even worse.
Author:  Tai Fu [ Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
I don't know how that could happen, usually if a bandsaw blade jumps out of its guide it came off the wheel, but I guess anything could happen... I can see why they have fully enclosed blade guards rather than ones that allows blade change without removal (for example, the Steel City ones). I was taught in shop class to NEVER put your body part in the path of the blade, hold the stock to one side or the other and when you need to get closer to the blade, use a push stick or grab the stock from behind, making sure the blade guard is low enough that nothing would happen should you trip over... Some youtube videos of people resawing really makes me nervous. Frank Ford's site has a tutorial where you can make a grabber with a salad tong so you can cut small pieces on a bandsaw...

My push stick has numerous cuts in it... showing you why you need the stick in the first place (that could have been your finger!)

By the way Jim, what's that big looking bandsaw in your avatar? Looks like one of those 26 inch beasts that I wanted to get but couldn't because it wouldn't fit in my shop.
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Thanks Dave. I feel too safe around my band saw, your post will be a reality check.
Author:  Alain Moisan [ Wed Mar 13, 2013 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Dave Livermore wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out how the blade jumped out of its guard, bit my fingers and returned to its original cutting job.


I'm glad it wasn't worst Dave.

Regarding your blade jumping out, you might want to check the tires. Worn tires get loose and sometimes get out of there wheel track without warning (and right back in), thus making the blade do weird things.

Hope this helps you solve your blade issues.

Get well soon!
Author:  John A [ Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
theses pictures are sobering. I am running downstairs and lowering my guard on my bandsaw. I have an awesome blade on it and I have been keeping it in "resaw" mode. Too much blade exposed for the smaller cuts I have been doing lately.

I think he was joking about the blade jumping the guard - correct me if I am wrong Dave. I hope you heal up quick !
Author:  Dave Livermore [ Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
I'm a very lucky man indeed.

Hope I've sobered some of us up to keep us out of trouble.

And Alain, I was kidding about the blade jumping. I was making an excuse for the stupid guy who put his fingers in it.

dl
Author:  Alain Moisan [ Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weekly reminder; band saws are dangerous
Dave Livermore wrote:
And Alain, I was kidding about the blade jumping. I was making an excuse for the stupid guy who put his fingers in it.

dl


Well, you certainly fooled me! But as my previous answer explains it, your joke was not so outside reality. (Trust me, it happened to me! - But my fingers were saved, luckily!)
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