thumb made friends with the jointer today

[durango dude]

Was using the jointer today - was cutting a small 2x4 and forgot a cardinal rule --- only push the wood into the blade.

I let the wood drop back ---- it snatched the wood --- and my hand along with it.

I knicked my left thumb on the cutter. It all happened so fast, I could not even tell you exactly how it all happened. Not sure why, but somehow, I cleaned up my shop --- and the first thing I really remember is arguing with the wife about how bad it was.

Fairly certain I don't need stitches. It's like a really big blister.

It did get a good portion of my fingernail --- which I suspect will be a bigger source of pain over the next couple of weeks.

Lesson ---- wood only goes one direction on the jointer.

[Pappy]

I have flat tips on 2 fingers of my right hand from a jointer. I was running a hobby shop part time and a customer tapped me on the shoulder as I was running a piece thru the jointer.

[jackellis]

a customer tapped me on the shoulder as I was running a piece thru the jointer

There are usually only the two of us here so distractions are minimal. However I have instructed my wife to remain outside the shop until she no longer hears machinery running. Otherwise, she might find herself with a handicapped husband.

I let the wood drop back ---- it snatched the wood --- and my hand along with it.

Pushblocks?

[chopnhack]

ouch, speedy recovery dude... Sandpaper faced paddles are the next thing built in your shop sir!

[Bill in Buena Park]

Sorry to hear of your mishap, and glad it wasn't worse. Hopefully you've disinfected and gotten it taken care of - if its not too bad, a little Neosporin with the pain reliever in it might help if you need it. I know this because...

Two weeks ago today, I got lazy and decided to check the airflow of my DC at the port near lower blade guide on my band saw (instead of manually ensuring other gates were closed). Problem being that my DC is louder than my BS, which I had forgotten was ON. The moment the 5/8in, 3tpi hook teeth blade made contact, it kicked my hand out pretty quick, but not before chewing up the tips of my middle and fourth fingers on my right hand. A little washing, some peroxide and many dressings with Neosporin, and now almost as good as new.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[LinuxRandal]

I have flat tips on 2 fingers of my right hand from a jointer. I was running a hobby shop part time and a customer tapped me on the shoulder as I was running a piece thru the jointer.

I eliminated a beer driver years ago. I worked in a restaurant, and was operating the grinder, and filling it, when the beer driver came in (separate room, I was supposed to be the only one in there) and slapped me on the back. The plastic scoop went into the blades, and my hand stopped just a 1/4" shy of going in.

Accidents happen, but idiots will get aborted after the fact, for stupid stuff like that.

[durango dude]

yes - jointer push blocks are now on the (very) short list. .

It occurred to me this evening - I was really in a state of shock --- that's how I cleaned up and didn't remember a thing. Think I need to consider the implications of being in shock.

Closer examination of the injury ---- confirm don't need med attn --- but now fairly certain it's actually a cut from the jointer ---- I'm darn lucky. I saw some photos of a guy who was less lucky than me - and it could have been MUCH worse.

Just checked my tetanus card --- time to re-up.

I also spent some time reading about other woodworking accidents - and just about all of us say it happened so fast, it was within a "blink of the eye."
That's all it takes -----

[Tom Hintz]

I get tons of email so reports of injuries is fairly common. What has surprised me over the years is the number of people getting hurt on jointers. Most times it is simple brain fade, doing something they KNEW was wrong but a momentary lapse and boom, the injury has already happened!
Glad you did not get hurt any worse!

[cabinetman]

Sorry to hear of a machining accident, and one like that. Jointers can be nasty, especially if the fingers or hand is caught near the table. The knives can draw your fingers into their rotation and against the table. It makes quick mincing to say the least. Using push blocks for flat work is recommended. Concentrating is another safety measure.

.

[atgcpaul]

So glad to read it wasn't worse. Yes, definitely invest in some push blocks!

I don't own a jointer yet. It's going to be my next tool purchase. I remember how nervous I was the first time I used one. Thoughts of my whole body being sucked in made me sweat buckets.

[jackellis]

Thinking about this some more...

I have a pair of push blocks that came with the jointer and I made a pair that are roughly the same shape. However they've always bothered me because my knuckles are still closer to the spinning knives (2-3 inches) than I'd like. Either something like a pair of push sticks or push blocks with longer handles would seem to do a better job of keeping fingers out of harms way, but I wonder whether that comes at the expense of not being able to control the workpiece as well?

[frumper64]

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.

[jking]

Thinking about this some more...

I have a pair of push blocks that came with the jointer and I made a pair that are roughly the same shape. However they've always bothered me because my knuckles are still closer to the spinning knives (2-3 inches) than I'd like. Either something like a pair of push sticks or push blocks with longer handles would seem to do a better job of keeping fingers out of harms way, but I wonder whether that comes at the expense of not being able to control the workpiece as well?

Perhaps something that resembles a long wooden plane? I've had similar concerns about a couple of my purchased push blocks when ripping pieces on the table saw. I've learned to do a "dry run" before I turn the saw on just to make sure I've comfortable with being able to maintain control of the work as I feed it through the blade.

[jking]

It did get a good portion of my fingernail --- which I suspect will be a bigger source of pain over the next couple of weeks.

Depending on how the fingernail was cut, yes. I shaved off part of a fingernail last winter cutting some squash up. The knife was damp, I was using my left hand (open palm on the back of the blade) to push down & my hand slipped forward. I literally shaved a piece of fingernail off down to the flesh without cutting into the flesh. Kind of amazing, actually. So, for a while I had part of my finger that swelled up through the opening in the nail, which was in turn pushing on the flesh making it swell more. Mine was just mainly tender & I had to be careful not to bump it until the fingernail grew back out. I never drew blood at all, it could have been much worse.

[Richard in Smithville]

Glad to hear that it wasn't worse. Just bad enough to give you a stern lesson that you won't forget too soon( or ever). I have always tried to be very aware with power tools but always slip up using hand tools.