thumb made friends with the jointer today

[pelligrini]

How about a GRR Ripper from Microjig? They claim it is great pusher/material handler for the jointer? Just asking - I don't own one but their videos make it look like a pretty nice addition to the shop.

I've got a couple grippers, but I don't like using them on the jointer especially on narrower pieces. I think they are too tall and tippy for a jointer. On a table saw they can be set up with stabilizing legs, but the leg can't be used on a jointer as it would get into the blade too. I really like using them on my saw a lot and sometimes on the router table.

I like this long push block: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200...-block-16.aspx on the jointer. I also have a pair of these: http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...-Set-of-2.aspx The offset handles when used properly will keep your fingers awaw from the blades. I just wish the surface stuck like the material on my grippers.

[durango dude]

Physician confirmed my diagnosis ---- big cut - but no stiches necessary --- watch the thumbnail --- it could get nasty.

Humorous fact ----- it had been exactly (to the date) 10 years since my last Tetanus shot.

All bandaged up, shot received, and lesson noted.

Wife has suddenly wondered whether or not the Sawstop is a good value.

[jackellis]

I have the push blocks with offset handles and I'm not comfortable with the clearance between my fingers and the jointer knives. I wonder if longer handles or a sharper offset would be better.

Perhaps the thing to do is make a set.

[pelligrini]

Good to hear it wasn't really serious.

If you have the room and the coin, probably ought to take her up on the wonderings. It's a good saw, even without the braking tech.

[BigguyZ]

I have the microjig block from the Peachtree special buy a year or so ago. I wanted to get a second , as I think it'd thick base would make for a good planer pushblock.

But I think people are missing the obvious question- when will Steve Gass be making the JointStop?

[jussi]

Glad to hear the injury wasn't too bad.

Can you explain exactly what you did to cause the accident? I'm a little confused when you say "I let the wood drop back".

[durango dude]

jussi

was planing the 4" side of a 10" long 2x4 - trying to level the wood out (a little warp in the middle) . I don't have a planer, but use my jointer from time-to-time to do that work.

Started with the lumber near the warp - but instead of pushing the lumber into the jointer, pulled at it a little --- trying to get to the warped spot.

The jointer caught the wood - and shot it out.

I watched the wood shoot out - instead of watching my left hand - which was holding the wood down on the blade. (I'm convinced if I was watching the later, I'd be fine).

Although my hand was forward of the blade about 4", the wood shot out with enough force to bring my hand down near the blade.

I went back and watched a planer instructional video - and see where I went wrong.

As small as the wood was - I should not have been working on it without blocks.

[atgcpaul]

The best push blocks I've used on the jointer were shop made. Big, long surface that would have easily covered your board. There was also a shallow hook at the end so you could pull the board through.

[twistsol]

Thanks for the post and I hope you have a speedy recovery. For some reason I used to equate noise in the shop with danger. Tablesaw loud = dangerous -- jointer quiet = safe.