After replying to a post regarding an injury, I thought back and remember the countless times in the past couple of years that I have read about injuries caused my power tools that some of you use daily. Some of these injuries have resulted in surgeries, loss of digits, loss of feeling and the ever famous missing finger tips. Tools can be very dangerous indeed and especially so if we become complacent, careless, are over tired, or just try to rush. I have included my original posting below along with a photo of some push sticks available from Woodcraft (Thanks Jon) and will be placing posting on all the sites that I post on or review. Sorry if this issue is repetitive but I feel it is important to take a moment and remember safety. Most of you have jigs for almost everything so a jig or two for safety would be good.
When I read a thread like this it always makes me wince with compassion and understanding. All of us have had something happen to them at sometime and often it is a result of being tired or something like that or just a moment of carelessness that we have paid for. When I work with shop tool that can present a danger I always remember my 7th grade wood teacher. The first thing he did was to demonstrate how quickly and easy it was for these tools to cause serious injuries. He taught us to make wooden fingers or holders so we could maneuver wood and use the tools in a safe manner. If something happens it’s easy to replace a piece of wood. I don’t remember the teacher’s name but I will always remember the wooden fingers getting sawn right off and to protect myself at all times.
Philip
. Thanks Frank