I Cut My Fingertip Off (in the dumbest way possible)

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

I felt EXACTLY as you do... many years ago, I was operating a lathe at 12 at night, (self employed machinist) WITHOUT the change wheel guard on... again my fault... I reached to feed bar in & the rotating gears grabbed the tip of my thumb on my left hand, no pain initially, just a tugging feeling... I looked at it and could see the white bone and said "oh f%$k"... locked up the shop and drovr to the hospital... (I removed down as far as the whole nail but the joint was still there so I can still grip stuff)... Long story short, I stopped working for a couple days and took the time to re-evaluate my lifestyle... I was working 7 days a week and ridiculous hours because I was charging too little... that all changed, I took the injury as a warning of what might have been so much worse... today I almost see it as a blessing... I still have nine and a half so onwards & upwards.... I hope you heal up and learn from it , like I did.... it can happen to anyone, even Stumpy got bit a while back so no ones impervious. 😎👍☘️🍺

[@VinceEspositoJr]

Sorry to hear about this, Frank but thanks for this sobering safety reminder. It's good to have you back and I hope you continue to heal quickly.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Glad it wasn’t as serious as it could have been. Thank you for being brave enough to share the experience and talk about the lessons learned. I’ve been fortunate enough to never have had a table saw incident, however, I did something similar with a circular saw. Didn’t lose any digits but now have to finger tips that have scares and no sense of touch.

[@saigmundur]

I appreciate that you're sharing. I force myself to watch power tool accident videos because it keeps me from getting sloppy with safety. I have had some close calls myself (with hand tools actually) and I'm lucky that my left hand is still fully functioning lol. Hope you heal up nicely!

[@ouicraft]

You have deserved my thumbs up! Thank you for showing the picture also, it’s a good reminder to always stay safe in the shop. I’m glad it’s going to heal well, it could have been a lot worse.

[@davidmorris6889]

I am sorry you had this happen, but I'm glad you shared. I had a table saw accident nearly 14 years ago. The table saw was already old for then, so it had none of the safety features. I was ripping alder into strips for trim (had a custom cabinet shop). As many know Alder can have some hidden splits, and I found one. The wood released, caught the saw blade, and ricocheted off the fence and impaled me in the upper thigh. Not even a saw stop could have prevented this. Only things like a riving knife, anti-kickback fitting and blade guard could have helped in any way. So now I have a chunk of quad missing from my outer right thigh. Moral of the story is, machines are impersonal, and need to be treated with the upmost respect. Thanks again for sharing, and I'm loving the videos.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Dang man .. sorry that happened but important lesson these things can be merciless.. what an injury....

[@filipcapo2857]

Thank you for sharing this edifying incident! It looked like it was not the easiest thing for you. As a pianist and piano teacher who really loves woodworking, people ask me all the time if I am not scared something might happen and truth is, i get terrified thinking about it. But when in my shop, I really try my best to behave by the wise rules that i collected from KZbin woodworking community. 1. Hight of the blade is set according to material thickness 2. Stay out of the line of the workpiece 3. Once rear end of wood is entered the top of the tablesaw, switching to pushstick as soon as possible 4. During the cut, stay focused to push down and to the fence, and expect something might go wrong 5. Never continue to push if I get feel that something is binding 6. When cutting is done, saw is switched off and i wait for blade to come to stop before reaching for my piece 7. Blade is lowered completely 8. If cutting long pieces additional precautions are taken Although accidents can still happen, hopefully this way risk is reasonably low, and I belive that when repeated enough times, it feels awkward to skip a step, at least it is for me. Kinda like driving without a safety belt. If i am missing something, feel free to add to the list.

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

That's wild. Great video. Glad it was only the tip and not below the knuckle. First video of yours that I've seen, love the shop you've got. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks bud glad to have u heard and I'm looking forward to posting more videos soon

[@philfrank9483]

sorry for the injury and a sincere thank you for sharing your experience. it's a great wake up call for those smart enough to learn from others experience

[@chriskeeble]

Sorry to hear of your injury - glad you're healing well, and you've done a great thing sharing this as another reminder to people that it can happen to any of us - we can never have too many of these reminders - thank you. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

[@Nunyabizn3ss]

This is the reason that I prioritized a Sawstop, when putting my shop together. I know of so many woodworkers, many more skilled than I can hope to be, with missing finger/s (or part thereof).

[@replacement6386]

Great video. I really enjoyed the dialog and your message. Now a short rant: Normally I'm not pro sawstop, it's over priced and the safety features used should not be held hostage by the expense. All saw companies should implement it and have access to it. I also feel it lowers the fear and respect people should have for their saws.

[@talltimberswoodshop7552]

Thanks for being honest about your mistakes. None of us want to lose any digits. I'm glad you're healing well.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man I appreciate it!

[@markb8954]

Thanks for walking us through the “gotcha” moments. Hope it all heals well & quickly.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you

[@csehszlovakze]

@@FranksWorkbench after hearing the justifications why you won't get a saw stop... you definitely MUST get one. your overconfidence is what caused your injury in the first place.

[@csimet]

Thanks for sharing your accident and mistakes that caused it. Beyond what you stated as the reasons, I've always had a rule... the moment I feel comfortable around a power tool that can easily injure, is the moment I need to stop, walk away and take a break. A healthy respect (a.k.a. mild fear if you will) is always a good thing IMHO. Makes you stop and think before you use it. Rushing through things is always a bad way to operate... You make bad decisions.

[@FranksWorkbench]

I like that!

[@mikeandlucky]

Thanks Frank. This is a great service to the woodworking community. I don’t have the budget for a Sawstop but I literally reinstalled the blade guard on my trusty old Dewalt Jobsite saw today.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Truly glad to hear that man!

[@johnhays1623]

Thanks for putting this video out. It was a needed wake up call I pulled my blade guard out of the bottom drawer of my storage cabinet . I have since retro fitted a a dust port by drilling out an opening on the guard which recieves a crevice tool from my shop vac. It works. Now, I am working on a bracket to keep the vacuum hose out of the way while cutting.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Glad to hear that my man!

[@brendanlangord1687]

I did basically the same thing 3 years ago, under pretty much the exact same conditions (blade was raised to high for the cut, just one quick cut, no blade guard, no push stick). I made the cut, cleared the waste, and brought my hand over the top of the blade, and the cut through the tip of my middle finger, and the pad of my index finger on my left hand. I definitely learned my lesson that day. Good to hear you are healing quickly, but that finger is going to feel very raw for a long time. Thank you for sharing.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks for the comment I appreciate it, and yes you are right

[@Spills51]

Like I have heard many times....People NEW to using a Table Saw RARELY get hurt in an accident with them. WHY? Think backthe first time you used one....likely like most seeing and hearing the blade of death spinning gets your attention and tends to create some actual fear the first times you use it....your extremely aware of how horrible things could be very quickly and are cautious as a result to do everything you can to stay safe. Its the amatuers and pros....who turn it on and have no fear.....have done it hundreds or thousands of times and expect the same result that they have been fine all those times...human nature really. Your lucky....it for sure got you but if thats what was needed to WAKE YOU UP then its a gift....all those steps you ignored meant 100% eventually you were going to get hurt....you lucked out and lost only a bit of your body to the table saw gods.....TRY NOT TO DO ANOTHER SACRIFICE. Im glad your ok....stay safe.

[@a9ball1]

Things happen. Thanks for sharing. If your video can prevent even one injury it's worth it. I also like how you added the counter before the pictures. Heal fast my friend!

[@PHONYJOSEPH]

Sorry about your injury! Hope you are fully healed soon. Thank you for the shop safety reminder.

[@Momoka7]

2:00 When I learned carpentry back in Germany, my old master always used to say "you will never cut yourself, when you setup the table saw to make 50 same cuts with all the usual security setups, it will be when you want to JUST MAKE THAT ONE CUT REAL QUICK". And yeah, I should probably use a blade guard whenever I fully cut off a piece of wood. Only when you not make a complete cutoff cut, you not need a blade guard.

[@pmdinaz]

Glad you're okay. Also glad to see that you'll be okay.

[@foddermott9532]

I've had your model Delta for a couple years. Just finished using it to add several custom cabinets to make use of the "dead space our kitchen." For the money it's great table saw for what little I need one. Glad you're well on the mend. Thanks for the good tips (pun not intended).

[@lisakuhnel1449]

Good reminder! I had a nearly identical injury about 25 years ago…same finger, same circumstances, same lack of safety procedures. It’s really helped me to respect the potential dangers and be more mindful of my process…for EVERY cut. Thanks for sharing!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Absolutely man, I had no respect for it. Embarrassing to say but it's true. Thanks for your comment

[@scottbarlowe2328]

I had a very similar accident. Several small safety violations led up to cutting a kerf width out of my index finger. I fortunately had the blade set to about 1/8” higher than the stock I was cutting. 4 stitches and a few moths later and you would never know. Other than the loss of feeling in that area. I have started the same practice of lowering my blade completely when I’m finished with the saw. The only drawback I see to that is remembering to reinstall the blade guard, it is a matter of out of sight out of mind.

[@joeleonetti8976]

Frank, I'm so sorry to hear this. I took a local woodworking class to learn how to use the machines as I hadn't owned any and had been using hand tools. I ended up buying a bandsaw and a planer. Two tools I won't own are a table saw and a router. I just didn't feel comfortable with those two tools and will simply work around not owning them. The only way I would own a jointer would be if I got a power feeder for it.

[@JawellNofine]

Just glad it wasn't more serious and thanks for sharing with us, it just brings us mortals down to earth again. People I know who have had the same experience as you all say it's because of complacency - it will never happen to me because I've been doing this for 40 years. Big mistake! Chairman or our woodworking club cut his whole thumb off because of complacency. As a rule, I never allow anyone to have their hands on the table saw, whether it's running or not. Always drop the blade down when finished working and pull the plug out of the wall socket. never ever reach for any piece of wood until the blade has fully stopped and even then, i push cut-offs away from the blade with a push stick or another piece of wood.. Tools I am very careful in working with are, table saw, angle grinder, circular saw etc. Power tools have teeth, things with teeth eat flesh. Get well soon and thanks again with sharing this video, i hope and pray it never happens to me or any other woodworker.

[@Danko88]

thanks you made my mind up. Been looking at all types of table saws recently to upgrade my job site saw. Biting the bullet and getting the Sawstop cabinet saw. Glad you are ok and didn't loose the digit.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Good call buy once cry once

[@MCsCreations]

Frank, there's just one thing... I don't know about every table saw, but mine if you want to use the blade guard you need to leave the blade all the way up... Otherwise it won't fit. 😕 But you're absolutely right... Every safety measure you can take is a good thing. Because those tools are REALLY dangerous... Anyway, stay safe there with your family! And have a fast recovery! 🖖😊

[@FranksWorkbench]

That's true, thanks man!

[@VivienLEGER]

Hello Frank, I watch this channel because you mostly do hand tool work, which i chosed for the exact five reasons you explicit. The best one for me is the "oh it's just one cut , that will be ok". I m very subject to that kind of thing, knowing this when i started woodworkng i decided to backoff from any kind of machinery that could pull any part of me off. Yes resawing is a pain in the *ss when you have large stock or a project with a lot of it. I give it a good sweat, but never a finger. I m the kind of guy growing wanting a motobike, and having children backed off from it knowing that one evening i'll be in a rush, speed and kill myself.. so i never bought one. Glad you felt you learned your lesson, hope it was the worst you'll ever experience. Get well ! I m eager your next video :) Have a nice day!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you so much!

[@watermain48]

I cut the end off my left thumb a couple of years ago on my table saw. Luckily, I was able to sell it for what I paid for it and apply that to the cost of a new Saw Stop jobsite table saw. I got the thumb fixed up at the local VA so I didn't have the expense that you did, but I'll always remember seeing that piece of my thumb flying over my head. Lucky for me I knew right where it landed so I could take it to the ER with me...

[@dannyjoanne862]

I remember an incident many, many years ago when I was installing an elevator in a old age home. There was a little Italian cabinet maker working down the hall from me, and he was making pews for the chapel ( very talented man). One day, he had just shut off the table saw when I was walking by. I jokingly said “ don’t forget to count your fingers “. Well, he raised both hands for me to see. He had 7 and 1/2 fingers altogether. It the guys that use these tools for so long that get complacent, and lose that respect or small fear that tells them what they already know they should be doing, but fail to do it, until that one day. Cheers Danny @

[@FranksWorkbench]

Great story and so true thanks buddy!

[@malcolmpas]

Thanks for sharing Frank. I did a very similar thing last Tuesday - a quick cut, not paying attention, went to clear the waste and bam, rearranged my thumb on the exposed blade. Stitches out next week and hopefully won’t require a skin graft on the chunk I took out. The other ‘positive’ in Australia, accidents and emergency visits to the hospital are covered under our public / universal health scheme. When something like this happens, you have enough to worry about. Stay safe. MP

[@FranksWorkbench]

Ouch dude! Sorry to hear that but thanks for sharing the experience

[@michaellee8198]

As a recent subscriber, just like Kevin O'Malley (below), I'm thinking "where have you gone?". Glad to see you're back safe (and almost sound) with a great advert for Hand Tool woodworking 🤕

[@FranksWorkbench]

Haha thanks man!

[@kiwdwks]

So sorry. Thanks for the reminder to not let your guard down...

[@scorpiorysing]

Thanks for the PSA, we really can't have enough reminders to use power tools safely.

[@FranksWorkbench]

You bet!

[@Myrkskog]

I took the tip of my right middle finger off a couple of years back, cutting an angle cut on the bandsaw. I was concentrating on keeping the work against the fence and didn't realise my finger was pushing along the section where the exposed blade was peeping out. I missed the bone, but took it across the diagonal and made a mess of my finger. I didn't go to hospital and treated it with natural products. Almost as good as new, apart from a tough bit of scar, a less of a plump pad and an odd sense of both less and more sensitivity. I hope you heal up well.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Dang man a cut like that and you just rub some dirt in it your a cowboy my dude. You describe exactly the feeling of my finger too.

[@larryjellison1331]

Thanks for sharing this Frank. I too made a similar mistake a few years ago, and like you I was fortunate to only have taken the end off my left ring finger. I was making a long beveled cut, with too much exposed blade, and for some reason reached over the top of the blade and just like that, I am now known as nubby to my friends.

[@FranksWorkbench]

That sounds like a bad one! It happens fast

[@JustTony72]

Glad to know you're ok. I was watching for the first few minutes and thought it was done April fools things being so close to April and your left hand was out of view most of the time and then boom picture. That looks painful

[@deepVAroots]

Just like airplane crashes, there is never one single thing that happens, but a series of things that eventually add up to accidents. Thanks for the reminder.

[@chriscluver1940]

Regarding point #2 ("Just one quick cut"), I saw a video online recently of a snowboarder getting rescued from deep snow; he was buried/stuck head first, upside down, all the way down to his feet, and was only visible by the bottom of his snowboard being bright red against the snow. Below the video was a discussion I found very interesting: apparently some snowboarders/skiers will say "Let's do 2 more (runs)", even if they want to only go once. Then, people will bow out before the 2nd "final" run. Seemed like a superstition, or like saying "Break a leg!" to a stage performer. But thinking about it, really it's more of a mindset thing; how often to we get reckless, so we can squeeze in "Just one more"? Be it snowboarding down a mountain, or comsuming alchohol, or cutting wood on a table saw, I think that saying "If I'm going to do it, I'll do two" makes you think a bit more about what you're going to do. Thanks for sharing your injury as well, and glad it wasn't as serious as it could have been.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Interesting, makes perfect sense, thanks for sharing

[@andre1987eph]

1) That is NOT an insignificant injury. That's your index finger, not one of your toes. 2) Honor your loss by buying a Sawstop - and also remembering your safety protocols in future so you never suffer another loss. 3) I think you're just cheap (not frugal). I have a buddy like you. He takes pride in how little he pays for everything. But like I tell him, a MAN has at least one quality belonging that he's proud of. In your case why not make it a middle of the line SawStop?

[@danielfish8770]

Hello Frank. First time to your channel. I’ve had my hand 3 times in a table saw. I still have all my fingers. Two was doing stupid stuff. Cutting a thin cut using my finger as a push stick. Cutting reverse on the table saw.(never do this). The biggest save was never having my blade more than a 1/4” above the wood. The third was the worse. Not sure how I did it. I lowered my thumb in the blade. A blade guard wold have prevented that. It tore my thumb pad to really bad. It took a couple months to heal. Being aware of the blade is most important thing you can do. I loved your assessment of your injury.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Aw man those sound rough! Always glad to have a new subscriber!

[@5280Woodworking]

Bro, get a Sawstop. Just like “one cut” the “one accident” rule doesn’t apply either. Glad you are ok.

[@jarnoverhoeven3118]

Ouchie! Get well soon, amazed that it is healing that quickly!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@laneetherington614]

I did the same thing with a hole saw working on installing a dead bolt, it was the end of my left thumb, I was lucky though the doctor sewed it back on.

[@HaroldShipley]

A couple years ago a friend of mine cut off parts of four fingers on his right hand. He is right handed but now he writes shorthand. He broke every safety rule in the book, no blade guard, no splitter, no push stick too much blade exposed. He was 69 at the time. I was the one who cleaned up the mess. I hate it for him but I learned from his mistake. Also, he was using a portable type saw with an incredibly dull blade. It had a hard time cutting wood but not flesh.

[@howardwilburn9066]

I did something very similar one month ago. I was cutting a dado so the blade was only up 1/4 inch. I was using a push stick with my right hand but pushing the stock against the fence with the left when I had a kick back. The left middle finger tip was still attached so they were able to sew me up. It did cut deep enough to hit the bone but everything should heal up fine. Be careful out there people.

[@OSRS_KQs]

I hope you change your mind on the sawstop. I feel like the rest of the industry just needs to catch up to sawstop, and I think the way to do that is for every notable youtube channel and public figure in woodworking to promote/use/suggest sawstop saws until others offer the same level of safety.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thats a good point and something for me to consider. Food for thought. Thanks man

[@KevinOMalleyisonlysmallreally]

I'm really glad you're safe pal. I was just thinking that it was about time for a new Franks workbench video. I''ve been a guitarist a lot longer than I've worked with wood and I just can't imagine taking an injkury like that so I don't intend to buy a tablesaw at all, but thanks for sharing your learning on it.

[@FranksWorkbench]

For sure I hear you man! And thank you!

[@StuartSanborn]

heal quickly and glad it wasn't worse.

[@timdoyon1964]

I nearly cut my finger off a couple years ago. Talk about preventable.. I WAS using a push stick, my blade was set just high enough to complete the cut, and I did have my guard in place. BUT, my homemade zero clearance insert was not quite thick enough, and the foot long board I was cutting got stuck. So stupid me thought I could safely reach behind the blade to raise the board up so I could push it through. That’s when everything went in slow motion. Somehow my finger hit the blade and it sawed up lengthwise into my finger all the way into my bone. Like you say, it’s a huge lesson learned. I am terrified of hitting that blade again, so I am more careful now than ever before. I wish I could afford a Saw Stop, but I can’t. I’m glad you’re okay… we got lucky. I have a friend that lost four fingers on a table saw. It cut his pinky completely off and the saw went from there, diagonally through his ring finger, middle finger and his index finger right below his nail. It was a gruesome injury. I can’t even imagine how it happened. His pain receptors must not have been functioning properly. Take care my friend… I hope you heal up quickly, and I thank you for the reminder.

[@stephenmcdowell4190]

Did that about 10 years ago with a table jointer. Same finger too...

[@HWCism]

Good explanation. We all need a pep talk. Lost my tip using a electric hand plane. Reached under it while it was shutting down. Like you, could have been worse. 🤪

[@lincolndickerson1293]

Thanks for the review of good practices. Glad your injury was a far less than it could have been and that it is healing quickly.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man!

[@garynelles]

Could have been much worse. Glad things worked out. It’s interesting you talk about lowering the blade after you’re done using it every time because that’s exactly what I do. I got in the habit of doing it early on in my woodworking career because I didn’t have a bench or anywhere to work so I did it to have a work surface. I do think it has made me more aware of how high to put the blade every single time I use the saw.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Yeah man I think that intentionality and respect for the tool will go a long way

[@billpflug6692]

Yup, well understood. We now belong to the same club only i like to use a radial arm saw to remove digits. Set up for a wide out rip and ran 4/5 pieces. Moved over to clear the finished parts and when i turned back to get no.5 i slid my left hand (same club again) into to blade, with guard, thereba making 4 digits the szme length

[@FranksWorkbench]

Wow! It happens fast. I appreciate your comment man

[@n8sot]

Same thing happened to me. and still not sure what I did. but I did it!!!!!!! I always treated the saw with respect, but now, EXTRA respect!!!! I pay way more attention to the cuts I make.....and always vision the follow thru. If it dont feel right, dont do it!!!!! I still have nightmares about what could have happened!!!!! And maybe.....maybe.....thank god it was a 60 tooth blade and not a ripper 24 tooth!!!!! who knows. but I to got lucky and all healed up. Great vid!!!

[@themostar7426]

Glad you are ok Frank. Thanks for sharing your experience. I will take your wisdom on board in my own work.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man!

[@katiezilch9424]

Thanks for sharing and glad you're ok!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@bobbyfuller4768]

I just learned my lesson on my new joiner. took off about 1/8 inch of my middle finger. I just got it out of the box and put together and was trying it out.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Ouch man hope you heal soon

[@awantamta]

Thanks for that reminder and I hope you get better soon

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@DHM078schannel-np9xh]

Glad you're okay and recovering well. So glad it wasn't worse. I really hope sawstop-like tech can become standard/not prohibitively expensive soon, because even if a table saw can be operated safely, we're human and even the best have lapses in judgement and attention. Much like we want seatbelts and airbags because even experienced drivers can and do screw up, if seasoned woodworkers can make these mistakes, I sure as heck can.

[@FranksWorkbench]

That's very true. Good points. Thanks man

[@WoodStreetAz]

Put my hand in the blade 3 years ago. I made all those mistakes except I had a push stick.

[@purpleyams8738]

Yikes! I’m so sorry you went through that. I’m glad it wasn’t worse than it was.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@melainekerfaou8418]

That's the kind of event that I don't want to have to live through. I have gradually set up my shop so that the table saw is used as seldom as possible, but now I am thinking I could probably even do without. I have never had a close call with the table saw, but I remember once catching myself right after having reached over the blade. When I realized I couldn't say whether the gesture had been calculated or not, I freaked out a little. The real close call I had was when a loose-fitting glove was swallowed whole and spit out the other end by the jointer (even though I had the guard on) while my naked hand remained undisturbed, oblivious to the horror it had just been spared. Probably if the glove had been a tighter fit it wouldn't have dangled and caught, but I can't be sure. That's when I decided to embrace the splinters and ditch the gloves. But when I moved my shop I also ditched the jointer. Anyway, the table saw will be the next to go. I'll still have my track saw for long rips, and otherwise it will be hand saws, patience and elbow grease. It's my hobby, not my livelihood. I don't want to continue taking that kind of chances. Thanks for the testimony. And for the hand tool proselytizing.

[@JamesSmith-su3oz]

One of my Dr's is a wood worker and ask me why I use hand tool's. This is the very reason why. And yes I have power tools and a saw stop at work but do you trust what is supposed to work or get a bandaid when your hand saw gets hungry 🤔. Happy to hear you still have 10 digit's.

[@FranksWorkbench]

As long as he's not a dentist 😂

[@VORONM]

Hello, Frank! I am sorry that this unpleasant event happened to you. Of course, we need to work on machines with special attention. I am glad that everything has healed quickly. Take care of yourself, and please us with your new work.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you!

[@RYwoodview]

Just gashed my finger last night with a chisel! Don't hold the workpiece in front of the cut. . . While I have to be just as careful with hand tools as power tools, the damage potential is less. I am paranoid about my table saw, and long ago resolved always to use the blade guard if possible, push sticks (also got a MicroJig Grrripper). Like the idea to lower the blade every time cuts are finished too. Thank you so much for sharing your mistakes, Frank!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks true man, sorry to hear about your chisel injury and believe me you are not alone I learned the hard way with a chisel too

[@_ClericalError_]

On the issue of buying a SawStop saw: The problem with them is that as far as I am aware they are the only ones with their particular safety technology and largely keep it that way via the patent system. The second issue being that their saws cost quite a bit more than an equivalent non-SawStop saw of similar quality. My dad and I used table saws for many years (I'm 42) and neither of us have had injuries like this, although we have had a couple of kickbacks that were close calls. Today my workflow is to use handtools for almost everything. For long rips (which is where hand-sawing is most arduous) I use a nice 16" bandsaw. Ripping with the bandsaw is much easier and safer, especially with woods that have interlocking grain since if it closes around the blade it isn't an issue, on a circular table saw it's a kickback. Also it's nice to be able to resaw your own veneers. :)

[@_ClericalError_]

To add to my comment: While a bandsaw is safer because the blade is always going down into the table and never up from the table, it will still quite happily separate a finger or indeed a whole limb from your body if you aren't paying attention and taking appropriate safety measures. I also use a power drill press, which while reasonably safe is still powerful rotating machinery that can maim you if you are not careful and prepared when using it. I use these two machines to help lessen the work when dimensioning rough material, and an added benefit is that these two specific machines are very quiet. I work in industrial automation, so any time I can get away from the sound of screaming motors I am happy. :)

[@AustereHare]

jeez that must have made your heart sink so bad, probably worse than the pain. glad its gonna heal up fine. im going to skip the tablesaw in my shop

[@r0addoctor]

Been There!!! Frank, I know how you feel as I cut my finger, not as bad, but it did go into the fingernail. I didn't need medical help as the cut wasn't "that bad". What did I learn from that experience? I always lower my blade when I'm done with a cut, so I have to raise it when i need the saw again. Those saw blades are your best friend-----until there not. I do use push sticks whenever I can, and I'm always conscience of where my hands are during the cut. I've learned what you've learned-----constantly assess the risk when using power tools and act accordingly. On a brighter note, I do enjoy your videos and love watching you build things with hand tools. Take care and stay safe.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man I really appreciate you! Take care!

[@BadAppleWoodwerx]

Sorry about the accident man. 😢 Glad you're okay.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man!

[@mattparker8304]

Well I’ll be looking for where I stored my blade guard when I get home and get it back on my saw

[@FranksWorkbench]

Glad to hear that Matt!

[@UTBanjo]

I feel you. Cut through my thumb joint last weekend. Spent 5 days in the ICU, and 3 days on the surgical floor. I was ripping a long board. It bound up, and it went south from there.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Wow man, really sorry to hear that, sounds very serious. Hope you heal soon

[@NicPottier]

Thanks for telling your story!

[@adamguinnmusic5871]

I've never used a table saw with a blade guard.

[@jgo5707]

Thanks for the safety education and owning up to your errors! Great lessons shared here, albeit with an unfortunate price tag to pay! Hope it heals up easily and quickly! Be cautious of many cuts on the tablesaw too. It wouldn't be too hard to turn on autopilot with repeated same cuts and make a mistake when your attentiveness goes down.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Yes, Well said!

[@kevinarnold186]

I nipped my left index finger just two days ago. Lost part of the nail but mostly kept my finger. (I'm typing with only nine fingers at the moment due to the large bandage). Mine was really stupid too, I was using a push stick on the right, but used my left to just ease the waste piece by the blade. Waaaay to close. Super doh moment. I'm taking this as a great learning experience and being grateful I didn't do more damage!

[@-Dwight-Schrute]

Good teaching moment, glad you're ok.

[@richardrearick1975]

Hope it heals well for you! I sawed the tip of my right thumb while rushing a resaw on the band saw and watching my daughter (dumb move) and I usually used a push stick but didn’t (dumb move)lol slowly getting feeling back and they were able to sew it back on because it was not fully off so stitches were fine. Definitely learned a lesson lol. Sometimes we learn it the hard way :)

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks for the comment man! Hope you heal well. , unfortunately I learn a lot of things the hard way :/

[@davidstewart1153]

I turned off the saw and reached for the offcut too quickly. But I can report the Sawstop brake still works while the blade is coasting to a stop. I still instantly knew I'd been dumb.

[@FranksWorkbench]

That's good tech for sure, beats the alternative

[@Phattyphilly]

Thanks for mentioning this, and I can't stress enough, GT A SAWSTOP please, please, please!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Sure wish I had been using one!

[@jayp4083]

Glad it wasn’t worse.

[@edm00se]

That's a tough lesson to learn, even when it's well learned. I'm glad it didn't take any more with it!

[@FranksWorkbench]

You and me both!

[@steelsunpi]

Rule breaker here also. 2020 - took off part of one finger and mangled another. Now I'm much more alert and careful.

[@TheHomeMaker1]

Same thing happened to me few years ago I hit the power button at end of cut the grabbed the board and pulled it back and bam barely touched my thumb to the spinning down blade and did not hit the bone as it threw my hand across the top of the blade and threw the muscle out of the thumb and had to have 13 stiches but hey did so good you cannot even tell today but I have not used the table saw without blade guard much since and the overhead dust collection blade guard is way better and what I purchased after

[@FranksWorkbench]

Dang man, but yeah that's the way to do it my dust collection stinks on that saw

[@jimbo2629]

You might be interested. Decades ago I sliced the top of my finger on my new jointer when the wood broke. Just as dumb. The good news for you is my finger healed with some scar tissue. The injury was not as deep as yours. I think it took a year for normal feelings to come back and finger prints to mostly return. I think your finger may end up a bit shorter but the chances of it returning to normality are very high. I keep thinking of buying a Sawstop but they are so expensive and I have an exellent saw. I have learnt from your video to retract the blade after use. The blade guard on my site saw exploded when some wood got stuck in the very non zero clearance insert. I have since made a much more satisfactory wooden guard. Bad things often happen after two or more mistakes combined. I suggest fix up a decent blade guard and use a zero clearance insert if you won’t afford a sawstop, while you are still young. Best wishes and an important video.

[@crazycdn8327]

In high school wood shop if you didnt lower the blade after using the table saw, don't bother breaking out tools next class, you're writing lines the whole class on shop safety. That stuck with me, so I always lower the saw blade before the table top, plus makes for a surface to place things on too and if you accidentally start the saw, nothing goes flying off like a bullet. Glad you're ok!

[@jacqdanieles]

You'd think by now the manufacturers would create a gizmo that automatically recesses/retracts the blade when the power is turned off. 🤔

[@terryduprie6313]

Thanks for sharing this valuable and unfortunate accident. SawStop technology is amazing, but even owning one, I continue to be very cautious anytime I use the table saw. Much respect and a bit of fear.

[@biomorphic]

If I had to buy a table saw, I would buy a SawStop. No doubt.

[@gigaphonicon]

I always lower my saw blade when not in use that way if my kids trip or fall in the shop they can't get cut from a sharp blade always a good idea

[@bobnicholas5994]

I recently got 21 stitches in my pinky finger. I was rushing doing four things in my mind. I reached over the saw.. I always use featherboards and a large push stick.. I wish I had lots of money to buy a sawstop.. That finger made me ugh..chill up my spine.

[@jinseong88]

if you want a preview of what it will look like healed let me know! as a child the tip of my finger was torn off and repaired the same way basically (not a table saw accident tho)

[@BatCaveCreations]

another reminder too.... always have the camera running, never know what ur gonna catch! like.... the saw.... with your finger..... :D lol couldn't resist!! Heal up man! Glad it wasn't as bad as it could have been!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Haha funny thing is I probably wouldn't have been so cavalier had it been a project I was filming

[@BatCaveCreations]

@@FranksWorkbench valid point and very true. When you have the eyes of the world watching you play it safe. I need to practice that, I think I am too relaxed in some of mine. Granted I haven't don't a true "build video yet". Anyways, hang in there man! Love seeing how your channel has grown!

[@FranksWorkbench]

@@BatCaveCreations dang bro your killin it. Keep hammering.

[@BatCaveCreations]

@Frank's Workbench lol thank you!!

[@mikeknierim1618]

Glad to hear it’s healing up like a cyborg! Take care Frank

[@anthonyquintana1430]

Welcome to the club bro....... I lost mine down to a little nub....

[@FranksWorkbench]

😬

[@marshallmurrell4583]

Because my shop shares space with two cars in a two car garage, when I finish, the shop gets cleaned and all equipment goes back against the wall. That is to say that my saw blade gets fully retracted every time I finish using the table saw. The drawback is that the blade guard has to be removed when I put the saw away. The next time I pull it out to use it, the blade guard has to be re-attached. It is a real temptation not to take the 30 seconds required to remove it from where it is stored on the saw and re-attach it. Ask me how I know this. As the man said, "Experience. And most experience comes from bad judgment." My "gotcha" was reaching across the blade before it stopped spinning. Luckily, just cut a shallow gash in the end of my thumb. Some cuts just can't be made with the blade guard attached, and it has to be removed each time I want to use my table saw sled. So tempting not to put the guard back over the blade. On my saw, the blade has to be raised higher than would be required without it in order to feed thicker stock through. Would love to have a shop where I could leave my table saw set up and the blade guard in place, but that's just not my reality now.

[@jeffreyfontenot2102]

First! Give me a high four!!!

[@FranksWorkbench]

😂 😂

[@MintStiles]

Thumbs up... Oh wait...

[@jamesitube]

That video sure cost you an arm

[@jamesitube]

Very good reminder video though, happy healing!

[@Jeremy_810]

I'd get a Sawstop but that's a substantial investment to prevent serious injury from just one tool. There's a lot of tools in the shop that can just as easily cut, clobber, grind, and filet human flesh and bone. At least that's what I tell myself to keep from spending $4000 on something I don't really "need"