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As a reminder...

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BurlsorBust

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Today I was doing some finishing sanding on some projects of mine and found some cocobolo burl and thought I would carve something out of it too. Started carving away with my 4 1/2" angle grinder with a carbide toothed disk. Started shaping it and then took a break and turned the tool off and put it face up. I must not have flicked it all the way off because it kicked back on all of a sudden and the carbide toothed disk spinning at multi-thousands of RPMS dug into my left hand near my thumb. How deep? I can look in and see bone. It all happened so quick and suddenly that there was no way I could have prepared for it at all.

I am mostly a self taught woodworker and have been working with wood and burls for near 7 years now and have only had small slip ups here and there, nothing very harmful, but always a reminder to be more careful. This is by far the worst injury I have received and I am lucky to still have movement in my thumb and even more so, lucky to have my thumb. If this was my chainsaw blade attachment, which I frequently use, I would unquestionably be without fingers. Don't know how long I am going to be out and not carving because of this...

Please be careful and safe guys and don't ever underestimate the power of the tools you work with and the ability for the worst case scenario to happen at any time. I'm going to get a few beers now and it's not even noon over here. :dunno:
 
It can happen in the blink of eye to the best of us. Hope everything heals well and no problems. Hate to hear this, take care and get back in the shop soon.

Be careful out there everyone!
 
Wow! I am sorry to hear about your accident but am glad it wasn't worse. Yes, keep it clean and watch out for anything odd (skin discoloration) that might occur given cocobolo could have gotten into the cut. Cocobolo has some toxicity issues.
 
Wow!
Sorry 'bout yer injury, and thanks for the reminder!

We DO work with some torture devices, don't we..?:scare3:

Good luck on yer recovery, and take care of yer thumbs, they're rather important...:drinks:

p
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
Thanks for the support guys, but I'm not looking for sentiment; I hope this reminder as well as the many other reminders of dangers of tool are taken to heart. I had to go to the doctors and get it cleaned, treated, bandaged, and that cost quite a pretty penny. I am out of commission for at least 3 weeks with minor damage to my tendons and risk of infection. No idea how it will heal, but should be fine if I don't use my left hand too much.

Aside from that, I am going to be very far behind on 3 large commissioned projects and 1 of my clients wanted what I was making for a present for his wife's birthday and requested a refund, which I agree was fair. Again, costly mistake.

If you think you are above injury, check your bank account and make sure if you're lacking common sense, you at least have more than a few cents in your savings because injuries are costly in so many more ways than just a scratch or a boo boo. I am in the hole several grand as a result of my negligence. :scare3:
 
Accidents happen fast. Thanks for the reminder.
I think it is time to resurrect the "job related injuries" post
http://woodbarter.com/showthread.php?tid=1412&highlight=job+related+injuries
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7
davidgiul said:
Accidents happen fast. Thanks for the reminder.
I think it is time to resurrect the "job related injuries" post
http://woodbarter.com/showthread.php?tid=1412&highlight=job+related+injuries
Click to expand...

Dang Dave, that's brutal! Bet that set you back quite a bit in your woodworking. Never can make enough reminders on safety!
 
BurlsorBust said:
davidgiul said:
Accidents happen fast. Thanks for the reminder.
I think it is time to resurrect the "job related injuries" post
http://woodbarter.com/showthread.php?tid=1412&highlight=job+related+injuries
Click to expand...

Dang Dave, that's brutal! Bet that set you back quite a bit in your woodworking. Never can make enough reminders on safety!
Click to expand...
3k$ and no surf for 2 months. It happened in the winter when the waves are the best. Not sure what hurt more the loss of income or the stay out of the water warning.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9
davidgiul said:
BurlsorBust said:
davidgiul said:
Accidents happen fast. Thanks for the reminder.
I think it is time to resurrect the "job related injuries" post
http://woodbarter.com/showthread.php?tid=1412&highlight=job+related+injuries
Click to expand...

Dang Dave, that's brutal! Bet that set you back quite a bit in your woodworking. Never can make enough reminders on safety!
Click to expand...
3k$ and no surf for 2 months. It happened in the winter when the waves are the best. Not sure what hurt more the loss of income or the stay out of the water warning.
Click to expand...

Ouch x 2!!! Gotta listen to your intuition!
 
BurlsorBust said:
Today I was doing some finishing sanding on some projects of mine and found some cocobolo burl and thought I would carve something out of it too. Started carving away with my 4 1/2" angle grinder with a carbide toothed disk. Started shaping it and then took a break and turned the tool off and put it face up. I must not have flicked it all the way off because it kicked back on all of a sudden and the carbide toothed disk spinning at multi-thousands of RPMS dug into my left hand near my thumb. How deep? I can look in and see bone. It all happened so quick and suddenly that there was no way I could have prepared for it at all.

I am mostly a self taught woodworker and have been working with wood and burls for near 7 years now and have only had small slip ups here and there, nothing very harmful, but always a reminder to be more careful. This is by far the worst injury I have received and I am lucky to still have movement in my thumb and even more so, lucky to have my thumb. If this was my chainsaw blade attachment, which I frequently use, I would unquestionably be without fingers. Don't know how long I am going to be out and not carving because of this...

Please be careful and safe guys and don't ever underestimate the power of the tools you work with and the ability for the worst case scenario to happen at any time. I'm going to get a few beers now and it's not even noon over here. :dunno:
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that, injuries like that do not bode well, hope you have a speedy recovery; thanks for the heads up. As you said, it only takes a split second to turn things into a nightmare. Be well Rich:hi2:
 
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