Almost lost a finger or two today

btolle · Jul 27, 2005

( It was a long day and I was tired.)

How often do we keep going long after we should have quit?

And how many "accidents" happen when we are worn out?

Ever notice how most accidents happen late in the day instead of early in the morning?

I have finally learned that when I am tired and start making stupid mistakes it is time to put all power equipment away and quit for the day.

Glad your finger will be OK but please remember to give it up when you know you are tired.

Bill Tolle

JimMorrissey · Jul 27, 2005

The only thing I'd add to that is cheap hydraulic jacks are not worth the "savings". A high quality floor jack is essential....as well as a work area relatively free from junk and loose tools.

I've got one of those cheap hydraulic jacks that's going in the can soon....one of those $55 models from Sears.....junk.

JimR · Jul 27, 2005

( The only thing I'd add to that is cheap hydraulic jacks are not worth the "savings". A high quality floor jack is essential....as well as a work area relatively free from junk and loose tools.

I've got one of those cheap hydraulic jacks that's going in the can soon....one of those $55 models from Sears.....junk. )

I don't have any of those cheap jacks. They are not worth risking my life or limb over. My problem is that I always overtighten the handle all the time. So when it comes time to release it, it takes more pressure than it should. That is when the jack will drop quickly. As for working when your tired. If you need to get the job done, tired doesn't matter as long as you are watching what you are doing. I wasn't. Shame on me.

trlong · Jul 28, 2005

JimR,

I agree that ( Tired doesn't matter when you have to get the job done...as long as you're paying attention. )

I tend to keep pushing until the job is done and find myself paying less attention, the more tired I get. Something I never seemed to learn from my Father was to take breaks occasionally. He tends to take more breaks than I do and still get more work done, with fewer mistakes and less "accidents". Maybe it is because, after a short break, he's re-focused, re-juvenated, and better able to see what could go wrong. Just a thought, with the point of the forum being safety, I know I can't keep going like I was 20 anymore. I need to learn to take a few more breaks.

Hope the finger continues to heal well.

Tom

BrettW · Jul 28, 2005

Sounds like a law suit to me.
Did the jack directions warn you not to let the boat fender down on your hand in an uncontrolled manner?

JimR · Jul 29, 2005

( Sounds like a law suit to me.
Did the jack directions warn you not to let the boat fender down on your hand in an uncontrolled manner? )

Hey Brett, You know what, some people might actually try to sue for such a stupid reason. I know there are lawyers out there that would be happy to try and win a case like that. I think my jacks are pre-cautionary sticker models.