Well, I ran afoul of the chop saw. I don't know EXACTLY what happened, and no digits were lost, but there was PLENTY of blood. Enough that I told Sonya when she got to the highway, "Light the afterburner and keep it lit". And she did. It was a wild ride and I tried unsuccessfully to don a seat belt. Bleeding too bad. I kept pressure on it and helped navigate around all the folks that go 20 mph in the left lane. We made it fine, no digits compromised, and I watched the doc sew it up. It was VERY ugly.
Y'all be careful. I routinely use tools capable of severe injury and it hasn't happened in a long time. One lapse is all it takes. And just think, when this heals up I've got a chain saw to exercise!!!
Riley, oh Man! Glad you are OK besides the stated stitches.
Good for all of us to take a minute and heed this cautionary tale...
I got away with a lapse the other day. Between that and your story maybe I can keep my focus.
That sort of thing happens in an instant. Power tools require attention and respect! I know everyone here already know that. Heck, I have cut myself with a handsaw and multiple knives and have the scars to prove it. So, all tools require respect. I remember a story of an experience hunter that was alone in the backcountry cleaning an elk who slipped with his knife and pierced his femoral artery he put a tourniquet on his leg. They found him dead the next day. He had lived through the night. Be very, very careful. It is so easy to let your mind wander and lose focus at the wrong moment.
Riley:
Best wishes for your recovery.
Consider yourself blessed today.
Regards, Roland
Once on a job I had with some friends, We were rough housing with the guard dog. i ran around the front of this pickup and ducked down. Stuck my hand in the grill just to stabilize myself and then the dog came around the truck and hit me. 10 stitches on three fingers later, I was back at work.
Fist and foremost I am glad you are OK. Secondly, that was my business for the second half of my working life. I was the plant manager for Delta International, maker of high end stationary woodworking machinery. Miter saws in all their configurations had long left this country, we only made the big stuff. But a great part of my life was "preaching" safety with regard to all these machines.
I do Roland!! I do.
Frank, I need a hand. I'm losing the race with that younger guy that used to live here. And yes, I'm an idiot. I had the other saw RIGHT THERE. Conditions change from one instance to another and recognizing you're getting in over your head is one of the crucial steps of the prevention. In the trades, we call it taking a step back and considering what if. I NOW remember that high speed rides, while very thrilling, aren't the solution.
Sorry to hear of the blood-letting, Riley, but relieved to hear you still have all your digits. Thanks for the reminder. That "younger guy" left our residence years ago; I miss his resilience.
Indeed, that younger guy is absent except for his ghost that still lives in my head and often leads me astray of the current realities. He tells my brain to go do this and my body later tells me I'm a fool for listening.
Riley, I too am glad you kept all your parts. Blood is the original red flag!
Ditto on previous comments!
As I get older, the table saw, chain saw, and even ladders become a bit more "intimidating". I even find that I am becoming slightly less confident driving - so much to look out for in the highway.
Here I am 7 years ago:
IMG_0119.JPG
This year I repaired the base of the columns.
IMG_8503.jpg
The columns need painting again, but it won't be me doing it. Not that I couldn't, but just don't want to take the risk.
Just trying to adjust to the aging process. Like someone said, "We ain't never been here before."
I did not use as saw to do my cuts, but they hurt just the same.
I am a member of the wood shop here, and we forbid using ANY POWER TOOL without another member present.
Take care, and do not pop any stitches.
I thought about you today, Riley, when I went up a ladder to remove a security light/camera for the rain gutter install we have scheduled for tomorrow...
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdelYC5xJY5uK57S4bsatX1QLvdf_51M8zt3S36FHUapF2TMkdjJFVy129dEbG8QBbCGyKeYRgOsajS7c2WcJtht-b36vv5Px3R-HgU-qcekarYWTGOb65_Kncftw6N-7rE2sTvIYkBRnrcr6AK1plL4eTOGynr3HAsa43M1wupfMymzFOS8S18YjJzEF/s1000/JimOnLadder.jpg)
Yes, I am aware that the number one cause of injuries for people over 70 is falls. I took my time and made each step very deliberate.
Had a millwork/furniture (cabinets when we had no work) shop for years.
Always figured I turned out to be a good carpenter as I still have all my digits.
You would not believe the business owners I met that can't say the same. When training new hires it was drilled into them before you hit the switch look at where your digits are no matter the tool you're using.
Even something as simple as a jointer has taken off a lot of thumb ends.
Glad it turned out OK, OP, make no mistake, while I am unscathed, I had a LOT of close calls.
My maternal grandfather was a woodworker. Both of his hands had parts missing. He did great work but at that time he lived outside of Houston and not close to an ER or a hospital so no sewing them back on. Today, the road he lived on is inside Beltway 8 and south of Houston International Airport.
Jim B, it's not the fall that hurts/kills ya, it's the sudden stop at the end. Remember, you can skydive without a parachute, but only once.
One of the problems is that MY boundary of sketchy and everyone ELSE'S is vastly different! You get that when you play with fire in a gasoline plant!!! :o :o :o
Usually my better sense will catch up to my drive BEFORE something stupid happens. It didn't this time and I will claim distraction as the major cause, because I wasn't cutting wood with a saw that can maim; I was building a rafter piece and those are totally different things in the real world. At any rate, the hand is doing relatively well and I'm thankful for it, and for the good wishes.
And so yes, I screwed up in the worst way. And brought to YOUR attention that it might be good to assess a little better to keep from being like ME!!!
Quote from: Captain Kidd on Nov 17, 2025, 04:13 PMDitto on previous comments!
As I get older, the table saw, chain saw, and even ladders become a bit more "intimidating". I even find that I am becoming slightly less confident driving - so much to look out for in the highway.
Here I am 7 years ago:
IMG_0119.JPG
Yes sir, that was me about seven years ago also. Repairing and painting the gable ends of my two story house that were ravaged from squirrel damage. Now I'm patiently waiting for the painter (well not really patiently) who promises much and so far has delivered little. Guess I'll call him again today. He has done work for me before, does good work when, of course, he finally shows up. But no more high ladder work for me.
Quote from: Chris Muthig on Nov 19, 2025, 07:22 AMJim B, it's not the fall that hurts/kills ya, it's the sudden stop at the end. Remember, you can skydive without a parachute, but only once.
As you get older, statistics show that when you do fall, you tend to "lead with your head," thus the injury statistics. Seems that younger people can get their hands out in time, so they tend to break arms and wrists rather than their head. Yeah, we are all subject to the Laws of Gravity... it's always about that impact.
Slicing soft bits with power tools can happen at any age, but especially so with distractions. You may have heard "with age comes wisdom"... experience may make you more aware of the potential dangers, but it only takes that moment.
Thanks, Riley, for reminding us. Heal fast and full, my friend.
I was always lucky/careful and never had an injury serious enough to require stitches -- until I took up model airplanes at about 65, I had an electric powered aircraft on the stand, prepping for flight and had turned to get something, when it suddenly went to full throttle. I spun and grabbed for it to prevent it crashing into someone else on the prep line. Unfortunately,I have forgotten which way the plane was pointed, and grabbed the prop rather than the tail feathers. 17 stitches, quite a bit of superglue, and about a half inch layer of gauze and bandage, and I left the clinic with a white club rather than a useful dominant hand. I took pictures during the treatment and later published an article in the club newsletter as a warning to other members.
It's not only power tools that can bite.
Another pilot! Seems a lot of us like aviation also :D Which also reminds me of my bud that was in 'Nam who said one of the LTs walked right into a tail rotor on a Huey. You can get got really quick!