Safety

Re: Safety

Greg W. in NC

>Sean! Whew, glad you're not hurt any worse! Hopefully it didn't cut any tendons. As I posted on here before......I had a very serious injury on my bandsaw a couple of years ago. They are certainly one dangerous tool. I think there were some good tips posted on here recently on how to avoid getting hurt while roughing out bowl blanks. Bottom line was, never have your hands pushing towards the blade, "just in case".

Again, glad it wasn't any worse, and hopefully you'll heal quickly!

not another!

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Wow. Two bandsaw injuries in as many weeks. I'm still wearing the bandages from mine.

Hope the hand surgeon finds nothing for him to do! I got lucky. Hold your hand out in front of you like you're going to shake someone's hand up at chest height. Push it forward into the bandsaw blade so the ring finger takes the cut. Thats how it got me.

Crossing my uninjured fingers for you.

Re: Safety

Bill Hale / The Wood Spinner

>Sean

Sorry to hear this. Hope all goes well !

As I posted a couple of weeks ago I think this is the most dangerous tool in my shop.

Good turning and be safer.

Bill

Re: Safety

Mac

>Sean, You were lucky, a big factor is the dull blade you mentioned. When the blade is dull, you tend to push harder and when the cut is finished you are still pushing hard,thats when the fingers go out of control.Blades are cheap,change them out when you first notice them getting dull.You should be able to just guide the wood through the saw with very little force being used. Take care and keep em all working!

Re: Safety

Dick Hines

>PUSH STICK!! Think pusk stick. I never get my hand anywhere near the blade if I can do the job with a push stick.

I use a piece of scrap and use it in my left hand and my right hand is always behind the bowl blank or what ever I am cutting. Been working in wood shops since I was 10 and my Dad always stressed not pushing anything into a spinning blade. If the blade is not cutting easely stop and replace the blade or sharpen it.

THINK PUSH STICK!!

Re: Safety

Bill Howatt

>Dick,

Thanks for the post. I am careful about never pushing towards the blade - always eyeballing where my hand would go if the workpiece disappeared. I hate to admit that I never thought of trying to use a pushstick with my BS. Duh!!

A BS with about 12" of blade exposed is a scary beast.

Bill

Re: Safety

TDaniel

>I just taught our club tonight on bandsaw safety. In addition to all that others have already said let me add one important thing. Place the little finger of your left hand under the table and guide the blank with your fingers. You can safely cut a blank without the rest of the fingers being able to reach the blade. Invest in a timberwolf blade with 3 teeth per inch and a width of 3/8" and replace it when it stops cutting properly. I have no fear whatever with a bandsaw because it can be operated safely.

TD

Re: Safety

RevDoug

>Sorry to hear of your accident. I'll be praying for and with you about you hand and for your quick recovery.

I feel your pain

Bob Hackett

>I filleted two fingers(one on each hand)about four years ago.I now start the cut and then pull the piece thru.If anything happens,then my hands move AWAY from the blade.I`ve heard others such as Sam Maloof use this same technique.I wonder how badly Sam cut himself before he adopted it.

Mainely,Bob