Safety Topic

[DaOld Man]

Yesterday I was using the router with a flush pattern bit.
I finished the first cut and laid it down. Usually I will release the clamp on the router which lets the bit retract up into the base,  but I had another piece to cut the same way and didnt want to have to reset the height of the bit.
And usually when Im done with a cut I will unplug the router, but I didnt this time.
I laid the router down next to my mouse sander. Before I let go of the router, I accidentally hit the switch. the router bit took off.
Thankfully I didnt get in the way of it, but my poor mouse sander did, and thankfully the sander wasnt plugged in, the short circuit could have ruined the bit, or worse yet set some of the MDF dust on fire.
The router was probably on no more than a second, but that was plenty of time for the router bit to chew up the mouse sander cord.
I have since fixed the cord but it made me think that it could have easily been one of my limbs, which probably would not have fared as well as the cord did.

Here's a picture of the chewed up cord and just a reminder that a router is a very good tool, but it can be very dangerous, especially if you get in a hurry while using it.

[Mauzy]

Things like that really make you think. When I first started soldering a year or so ago, I let the iron rest on the cord of the work light I was using. By the time I smelled the burning plastic across the room, the cord melted enough to trip a breaker. Luckily the outlets and lights were wired independently as the overhead light allowed me to at least get the iron off of the wrecked cord. Scared the crap outta me.   

[Bluedeath]

I melted the soldering iron powercord .... with the solderiing iron of course.

[arzoo]

Occasionally when I'm using a power tool - usually the table saw, I have these morbid thoughts as to how easily I could off, well you get the picture - it keeps me alert. I've heard they now have technology which allows a table saw to detect the contact with flesh and stop the blade instantaneously before and damage can be done.

[Kevin Mullins]

I've heard they now have technology which allows a table saw to detect the contact with flesh and stop the blade instantaneously before and damage can be done.

I've seen the demonstration of those and there are some videos online of them in action. As cool as they may be, I still see the urgency in taking every usual precaution. Just a damn scary thought of what could happen.
Heck, what if that new technology fails?

Having several knuckle busting, appendage cutting, concussion causing hobbies.... I can't stress safety enough in all that you may do. It's all too easy for that one time to happen.

[DrFrag]

My (cheap) router has a safety mechanism, whereby it won't turn on unless it's being held vertically.

[BASS!]

I've got the fix! Just install breathalyzers on all power tools.

[daywane]

this made my wife buy me a table saw.
I had 4 saw horses set up. I was ripping a 4 x 8  sheet of MDF in half
4x4 feet.
the two mid saw horses gave out
down I went. saw did grab my shirt.  right at chest level.
she saw this happen
I hit the scale at 220 pounds . she grabbed me and tossed me like I was a doll. She is 5 foot 3 and 135 pounds
SCARED the CRAP out of me
I have had a chain saw grab my pants leg 2 times in my life also.
1 of those  times was this year.
A can of dip in my front pocket kept the saw from my skin.

[SavannahLion]

I've heard they now have technology which allows a table saw to detect the contact with flesh and stop the blade instantaneously before and damage can be done.

I've seen the demonstration of those and there are some videos online of them in action. As cool as they may be, I still see the urgency in taking every usual precaution. Just a damn scary thought of what could happen.
Heck, what if that new technology fails?

It's called SawStop. The technology is really quite beautiful. If I ever shell out for a new tablesaw, that's the one I want. But there are two kinks that I know of with SawStop. The first is, if the table safety stop is ever triggered, it's a one time thing. The table saw actually needs to be repaired with a new part costing between $70 - $100 a piece. Given the cost of a lost finger, $100 isn't a big deal.

You're absolutely right though Kevin. It's very possible for a someone to fall into a false sense of safety with this tool then get into some real trouble if they ever use a table saw other than the SawStop. That scares me more than using my dad's old home built table saw. There's no sense of security with it and it makes me more cautious.

I've done a lot of stupid stuff with tools I guess. Probably the most memorable was with a fabric cutter where I used to shave off my thumbnails while changing the blades. Blades were so ---smurfing--- sharp most people had no idea when they cut themselves.

[FrizzleFried]

That is awesome.  I was wondering how it works.  Evidently the blade is electrically charged and when it detects a variation in the current it jams a break in to the blade and the momentum of the blade drops the blade in to the table.

Quite impressive.

[BASS!]

Man that is awesome, one question remains tho. How will I cut my hotdogs

[Mauzy]

SawStop.

That is the single greatest thing I've ever seen. I want one of those...

[TelcoLou]

SawStop.

That is the single greatest thing I've ever seen. I want one of those...

I was watching that TV show "Time Warp", and they had a segment where they were demonstrating it in super slo-motion. Quite impressive indeed.

[Turnarcades]

That Sawstop is fantastic. You will never really know until it happens if it works or not, but even if it takes a chunk out of a digit, it's better than losing one.

Since having a stroke last year I'm not allowed to use power tools for safety reasons (nor can I get insured!) but luckily the fellas who work for me took over and learned from me. I do worry about their safety as they're less cautious than me, so maybe I will invest at some point.

Routers sure are dangerous things and in all truth most power tools are compromised as they wear/get dusty/retain moisture. Luckily for me tools tend to break on me before they end up causing damage and in the UK we got the extra risk from high voltage outlets...

[RecklessAbandon]

and in the UK we got the extra risk from high voltage outlets...

on sites only 110v is allowed

[amerish]

Here is a basic safety tip. Never ever ever ever cut T moulding with the blade facing you. Nearly severed a tendon in my right hand on my pointer finger and took a good chunk out of my middle finger. Good thing for butter fly stiches.

So all you kids out there, do like I say, not like I do. Always cut away from your body.

[leapinlew]

You just need the proper safety equipment for you, or anyone who will be with you while your working with these tools:

For the Men:


The dog:


The women:


The idea of losing your fingers to make a video game... it's like... 10,000 spoons and all I need is a knife.