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Ouch, Miles, glad it was no worse!

One shop I ran the machinists needed a helper to drill out castings, and grabbed a guy with no experience on a drill dress. Sure enough, he's wearing gloves, got too close to a spinning bit, and the glove caught. It tore his thumb off.

When I was in college, I had a part time job working in a large custom door & window shop. One day the supervisor takes me over to a large jointer and says,

"you know Jesse, the warehouse foreman?"
me: "yes"
"you notice he's missing a couple fingers?"
"ummm...yes"
"this is where he lost them!"

so he gave me a lesson, which I heeded faithfully!

I always thought it was funny that all the shop teachers I had in school had missing digits. Did see one big tough guy try and hold back the drum sander ive never seen a 250 lb person fly until then. He thought he could give it a good grip and have someone turn it on and he could keep it from turning. Nope

Yeah. Jointer injuries don't leave anything to sew up. Like Rancho said, don't place your hand behind the blade, ever. There is no reason to do so unless it is to try to catch an offcut, and that means you didn't set up a proper outfeed table.

Another thing I've always done is lower the blade so that only about an eigth-inch protrudes above the kerf line. If you do have a digit get into it, it'll only be a gash. Most contractor-type table saws have an elevation knob that can be a PITA to adjust, do it anyway.

I'm glad you still have it to poke in the eyes of liberals and traitors.

Hoping it heals fast and works perfectly, Miles.

Glad I didn't have gloves on.... I'da had to put the nail back IN, after removing the glove, for pics....grin





never been bit by a tablesaw, tho..... owwwie

Sound like he was a future Darwin Awards Candidate

Our High School shop teacher was missing a digit on each hand!

Dang, Miles - that looks painful, and I'm sorry you have to go through this. Be careful and safe man, we want to see you again soon and intact.

Good advice above about keeping it clean and covered with neosporin.

Wow, Miles. Glad yours was "stitchable" - looks like it should recover well . . . assuming you can keep the infections at bay. Neosporin and hydrogen peroxide will be your friends to ensure that, as well as diligent bandage changing.

Had the same argument with my table saw 19 years ago. Did about a 90% cut through of my left thumb at about the base of the thumbnail. The surgeon asked if I was left handed or right handed - I said right - He then informed me he could reattach it, but I would probably be back in a month to finish the removal - I asked why wait a month? I still have the joint and about 1/4" stub. Biggest difficulties adjusting were to "don't lead with the thumb". buttoning a shirt and tieing a shoe/boot. It gets to throbbing if the weather gets cold, but other than that I miss the last 3/4" less every year. BTW - I was catching the "peel off" too, AND using a push stick . . . I was not wearing gloves, though. Any slight distraction can be, and was, painful and expensive.

Hope every thing heals well and the lingering nerve damage is minimal.

Miles, that hurts looking at it!

Kent

I had a situation like that once Don. Except there was an Arabian stallion hoof in the middle! I'm lucky he was a gentleman and allowed me to extricate myself!

Miles,
I'm glad everything is still attached were it belongs. Soap and water, keep it clean and you'll still be able to play the violin... well only if you knew how to play it before this happened

Thanks to all for your concern. Here is an update. It is still tender and cold is a pain, but lots better. miles

That's good news!

Back in the hitchhiking business. Or playing Emperor at the Coliseum.

Ed

Glad you're healing well, Miles.

Mark

I hope not. The few times that I tried it, it should have been called walking. miles

Yer thumb is lookin' good Miles, Ya heal pretty good fer an old fart.

Good job on the healing, Miles.

Because of the good, clean lifestyle that I have lived. miles

Looks like you are healing up just fine, did you happen to sever any nerves or get lucky and miss'em?

I severed the nerve in my left thumb with a boning knife, whole backside of thumb from nail to knuckle was numb for years. Until it regenerated itself, still kinda tingly if I rub it on that side.

Seems to be minimal nerve damage. I think all will heal fine, in time. miles