Thumb in the table saw. Warning - pictures

wcampbell47 · Dec 31, 2015

Looking4new said:
That surely sux, but it is a nasty reminder to you to use a piece of scrap as a PUSHER and keep your dam digits away from the blade.

I have had a table saw since the 70's and used it extensively for about 5 years building custom cabinets. I for sure use a pusher stick when the material gets small and choose to push the material all the way through usually picking it up from the floor. I try to never let the piece come back to me as too much of a chance for the blade to catch it and throw it at me. The fence always needs to be aligned parallel to the blade as well. Read through the thread and glad the OP is healing.

PILOON · Jan 1, 2016

For sure the fence needs to be 'dead on' parallel to the blade.
My only close call was ripping a board that had a belly curve(?) to it and it chattered as I was ripping it.
Somehow my finger got jammed between the fence as the board was being slit.
Not a blade cut but a painful slamming.

Now ripping with a radial arm saw can be a scary exercise at times as I have had more than a few boards launched at me.
I learned to stand out of the way of the launching path .

Don't know if I'm lucky or cautious but have been around power tools fo about 60 years and still have all my fingers. LOL.

The first table saw I used had the table tilt rather than the blade*, really a rather silly design but I guess back then it was the latest design, heck skill saws did not exist then and only the service station had air compressors and a power drill was a device that you turned a crank with the best design having an extension on the crank for more leverage.

* Ripping a 4 X 8 sheet was a 2 man carefully orchestrated exercise.

spangler · Jun 27, 2017

I am a wood shop teacher. I always insist on a riving knife at the minimum, full guard with riving knife and anti kickback devices whenever possible. I also have been successful in purchasing a saw stop brand table saw which i keep "tuned up" square and clean religiously. All of this however, is no substitute for good practice and
attention to dafety protocol. Nobody says "thats exactly what I thought would happen" after an accident.

rustydollar · Jun 27, 2017

Been there done that, cutting up a large aluminum rim into smaller pieces that would fit into the crucible of my home foundry. The saw I was using a large upright band saw fitted with a bi-metal metal cutting blade.

The blade getting dull required more force to get the metal into the blade, when the aluminum made it ways through in went my gloved hand, blade went through the leather glove and nearly to the bone of my left index.

Lesson learned never use a dull blade.

oosik · Jun 27, 2017

Man, I hope that thumb works OK for you and soon. Things like this and my extensive use of my chain saws makes me worry at times. I'm out here all by myself and its a 15 mile drive to the nearest medical facility. So far, 35 years and no serious accidents. Knock on wood.

JRobyn · Jun 27, 2017

It's interesting how when one uses proper safety equipment and takes proper safety precautions, mishaps almost NEVER occur!

rustydollar · Jun 27, 2017

Not me, this guy purposely puts a finger into a saw blade.

GPintheMitten · Jun 29, 2017

A year and a half later, thumb works OK. I have an extra joint at the base of my nail because I sawed through the bone and it didn't reconnect. Still mostly numb but looks and works almost normal.

Be careful guys.