Most dangerous tool?

[germdoc]

You guys have scared the bejeesus out of me. I'm never going back into the shop again!

I vote for the TS for above stated reasons. I have seen a lot of older guys who injured themselves many years ago when safety standards were laxer.

Worst injuries I see are related to chainsaws and logging. Most dangerous profession around these parts by far--just had a fatality last week.

[born2saw]

Having worked many years in an Emergency Department--my vote is for the power lawn mower!! OK, we don't see many in woodworking shops. 2nd place vote is for the table saw.

[Tom Slick]

Wow, some of these stories are just grusome. Thanks for the bit aboutthe lathe and the scalp... I'm going to get a hair cut now...

In all seriousness, does anyone else ever get scared thinking that your hobby could leave you without life or limb?

It is still far more dangerous to drive your car down the street then almost anything else. my worst injuries have been from riding bicycles, WW has been a small cut, bruise or splinter.

[rnelson0]

Worst injuries I see are related to chainsaws and logging. Most dangerous profession around these parts by far--just had a fatality last week.

That reminds me, you should enjoy this youtube video. Amusingly enough, the operator comes out unscathed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oCDcTxFUkk

[BigguyZ]

It is still far more dangerous to drive your car down the street then almost anything else. my worst injuries have been from riding bicycles, WW has been a small cut, bruise or splinter.

Hey, I'm not going to stop WWing or home improvement projects any time soon. But it truly is terrifying that such an even could quickly leave you crippled forever.

Makes me think that I need to double my efforts to stay safe in the workshop.

[rnelson0]

Makes me think that I need to double my efforts to stay safe in the workshop.

Amusingly, I received a mailing from my credit union offering a free low-payout death and dismemberment policy. However, I have to lose more than one finger to get any money. Like most things, if you screw it up, you might as well screw it all the way up, I guess!

[LarryG]

I voted shaper.

BTW and FWIW, the way the question is posed, I don't think frequency of use or number of units in service is relevant. I read it as asking which tool is the most dangerous to use in any single instance, not which tool is responsible for the highest number of injuries over the long haul. If the latter is, in fact, the question, "table saw" has to be the answer.

On the "Do you get scared ...???" question, I would say no more so than while engaging in various other activities. Less so, actually. I definitely feel safer in my shop than while driving my car, because in my shop, I am the only one who has any direct influence on my safety. On the road, I can be the safest guy out there but I'm still at the mercy of all those other yahoos.

In the shop, certainly I am aware that the potential for serious injury, or worse, exists. But I could also get flattened by a log truck while riding my bicycle. Or I could tumble off the side of a mountain while hiking. All of life is a risk. One takes the appropriate precautions in order to stay as safe as possible, while recognizing that now and then, s**t does happen.

[MilDoc]

BTW and FWIW, the way the question is posed, I don't think frequency of use or number of units in service is relevant. I read it as asking which tool is the most dangerous to use in any single instance, not which tool is responsible for the highest number of injuries over the long haul....

Yep. Exactly what I was after. Obviously the tool most people own and use MOST often will result in higher injuries no matter what.

But which is the most dangerous to use in and of itself???

[leehljp]

Yep. Exactly what I was after. Obviously the tool most people own and use MOST often will result in higher injuries no matter what.

But which is the most dangerous to use in and of itself???

That is why I voted the RAS. A slightly dulled blade or out of adjustment RAS presents far more danger than the same on a TS. Take inexperienced people or experienced people in a lax moment and . . . it will come after you!

But my caveats in two other posts:

A. GREATEST POTENTIAL: The Grinder - if careless and non clean ups are common, grinding iron/steel and then later aluminum at intermixed times can cause serious fires that normal fire extinguishers will not extinguish. Together, these two items can be caused to combust from a single spark that will melt steel. A few shops have been destroyed over the years from this very thing. No other tools with the exception of maybe a huge air compressor explosion or acetylene/propane take come close to the destructive potential.
THE CAVEAT on these - are that the destructiveness is not due to the machine themselves in their normal work. Not quite in line with your question.

B. DUMBNESS Of people with frequency of use - what machine causes the most accidents with lowest frequency of use - Nail guns! Beats TS with hands (nailed) down.

[billwmeyer]

I have hurt myself more with a screw driver than any other tool I think. I worked retail for 16 years and we had more trouble with utility knives than anything there. I have nicked myself slightly with a power miter saw, but I still voted table saw. I have a healthy respect for mine, and due to a lot of good posts on the Gripperr, I just bought one at the KC Woodworking show last weekend.

Stay safe out there!

Bill

[nickg]

Lots of opinions, but I'd also say the Radial Arm Saw is the most dangerous tool in my shop. To be more specific, I'd have to qualify my response by saying 'ripping' on a RAS. I tried it once, after making sure everything was adjusted correctly to eliminate potential 'pinch points'. The cut started OK, but a fraction of a second later, the piece of wood suddenly shot back to the feed end. Luckily I was standing off to the side and the wood missed me. I still use the RAS, but only for cross cutting. Also like it for cutting short dados, as work is 'right side up' and is easier to see.