Thumb in the table saw. Warning - pictures

TomSeller · Nov 7, 2015

Sorry to hear of your accident. I have been wringing my hands over buying the Sawstop technology in the attached link. It could very well have saved you a trip to the ER. Looking at your pictures, I may have just made up my mind.

SawStop | How does SawStop work? Find out more today | SawStop

Deere Dude · Nov 7, 2015

Sorry about your boo-boo. When TBNers say it didn't happen unless there are pictures, I think you took that very literal. Yuck.

Quite a few years ago I was cutting 1/3s about a foot long for some cabinetry. Not needing any hold down or push sticks, ever now and then my 10" table saw would send it sailing straight back about thirty feet. One day my wife wanted to see what I was doing so she proceeded to stand right in back of me in the line of fire ( I always stood off to the side). I saw that and I clued her in and seeing the error of my foolishness, I changed my practice.

A few years ago I say a table saw that as soon as ant meat touches the blade, the blade locks up thereby preventing any cuts. Expensive but they work.

SandburRanch · Nov 7, 2015

As you realize you are very fortunate to still have the most of your full thumb so please build yourself at least one of these push shoes and use normal operating procedures.

To make construction simple cut a strip that will be designated as shoe heal material. If replacement is ever needed saw the old heal off. Heel is glued on with Elmer's rather than cutting it out.

If you know of anyone that truly can't afford a push shoe I'll make them one free of charge.

Rustyferrious · Nov 7, 2015

The shoe is the best design, much, much better than a push stick IMO. I didn't bother with the finger cut out, Didn't like my fingers being "trapped" in the hole, but either way it works great.

GPintheMitten · Nov 7, 2015

SandburRanch said:
As you realize you are very fortunate to still have the most of your full thumb so please build yourself at least one of these push shoes and use normal operating procedures.

To make construction simple cut a strip that will be designated as shoe heal material. If replacement is ever needed saw the old heal off. Heel is glued on with Elmer's rather than cutting it out.

If you know of anyone that truly can't afford a push shoe I'll make them one free of charge.

Are you saying that the heel is glued on when you first make it or only when the heel needs replacing?
If glued on from the start, why?

GPintheMitten · Nov 7, 2015

I remember seeing this saw stop technology sometime in the past and have been thinking about it today but I couldn't remember where I first heard of it.

Does anyone know if something like this is available as a retrofit on old saws?

Rustyferrious · Nov 7, 2015

easier to make, but not critical. You can cut it in at first and then glue on replacements. I just make a new one. They are made from scrap.

Rustyferrious · Nov 7, 2015

GPintheMitten said:
I remember seeing this saw stop technology sometime in the past and have been thinking about it today but I couldn't remember where I first heard of it.

Does anyone know if something like this is available as a retrofit on old saws?

I "think" you have to buy the full saw. Too tricky/liability issue with "by owner" installations. They make several models. have not seen it as an add-on.

SandburRanch · Nov 7, 2015

GPintheMitten said:
Are you saying that the heel is glued on when you first make it or only when the heel needs replacing?
If glued on from the start, why?

If you'll make two, one of each method, I believe you'll quickly see why the heel is always glued on rather than cutting out.

But of course if you need one immediately by all means cut it out rather than waiting an hour or two for glue to dry.

SandburRanch · Nov 7, 2015

GPintheMitten said:
Are you saying that the heel is glued on when you first make it or only when the heel needs replacing?
If glued on from the start, why?

If you'll make two, one of each method, I believe you'll quickly see why the heel is always glued on rather than cutting out.

But of course if you need one immediately by all means cut it out rather than waiting an hour or two for glue to dry.

The thin shoe pictured is masonite and yes, always cut out. I keep a couple of differing thickness and heal depths at both of my saws.

TomSeller · Nov 7, 2015

If there is tool that scares the carp out of me it is the table saw. I bought my Grizzly from a guy that cut one of his his fingers off with it.

farmer2009 · Nov 7, 2015

GP. Hate to hear of your accident but fortunately it wasn't worse. Hope you heal soon.

Traditional push stocks just seam awkward for me to use. Then I found this one and love it.

I also stand to the side so kickbacks should go away from me. I also positioned the power switch so when I'm done with a cut I lift my left thigh and shut the saw down.

farmer2009 · Nov 7, 2015

Think this is the saw you guys are thinking of. I've seen the hotdog demonstrations and they are impressive. SawStop | America's #1 table saw | SawStop.com | SawStop

Rustyferrious · Nov 7, 2015

There was one video that I saw, many years ago, in which a demonstration guy actually sneaks up on a running blade with the side of his thumb. The saw does stop, no injury, but man, that guy was sweating i'm sure.

TomSeller · Nov 7, 2015

There is a video out there of the inventor sticking his finger in a running saw. As he expected, the saw stopped instantly.

GPintheMitten · Nov 7, 2015

TomSeller said:
If there is tool that scares the carp out of me it is the table saw. I bought my Grizzly from a guy that cut one of his his fingers off with it.

We'll I wasn't scared before, but I am now.

downsizingnow48 · Nov 7, 2015

Sorry to hear of the accident, glad it wasn't worse.

mapper · Nov 7, 2015

Saw stop tech does work really well. I think there are one or two others now with similar systems. I don't know if sawstop still requires replacing the brake cartridge after it has fired, the early ones did and it was not cheap. The saw was not usable until it was replaced, I guess that would give you some time to contemplate what could have happened.
As for me I have several push shoes and blocks that reside on the tablesaw and jointer. I also always stand outside the line of fire, I have had a few off cuts hit the wall 10' behind the saw with one check of a bang. To tell you the truth I have a healthy fear of what both the saw and the jointed could do to me. I have been doing wood work as a hobby most of my life and am so far intact and injury free!

k0ua · Nov 7, 2015

I stopped ripping with the radial arm some time ago. To good a chance of kickback. Dang radial arm is just not solid enough and it causes kickbacks. At least my old timer does. I use my Grizzley table saw. Worse kickback I ever had was with a jointer. Man that thing can really throw things when you do stupid stuff. Sorry about your thumb, Yes it could have been worse, but that is some sore meat man. Thanks for reminding all of us old experienced saw users... we all tend to get "comfortable" and unafraid, and that is when it happens. I have lots of different kinds of saws, Just about everything anyone would have, and so far I still have all ten, and both eyes. But I know they can get you. My dad sawed the tip ends off of both thumbs thru the years. I know what that looks like.

4570Man · Nov 7, 2015

Even a cheap table saw can rip 3/4 thick material without breaking a sweat. The better saws can rip 2" plus material without slowing down. Your digits are no match for them.