Herd530

I have been using table saws since I was 15 years old, I'm now 60 and I have never had any injury worse than a splinter here and there.

Two weeks ago I was ripping a short pice of two by four down to two by three, I was using a push stick, I do not use the guard as I like to see the blade clearly as I feed the wood through the cut. As I was finishing the cut the drop started to fall of the table which I usually let go. Apparently I must not have been paying full attention because out of reflex I grabbed the drop to stop it from falling and as I did I hit the blade wirh two fingers on my left hand.

The cuts were pretty deep, but I do still have both of my fingers. They have healed enough now that I can close them like the other finger to the palm of my hand so there is no permanent damage. I do consider myself very lucky, but I do not plan to install the guard on my saw as it is always in the way.

When I took wood shop in High school and I went through carpenter school in the army there were no guards on the saws and safety was stressed alot. As we work with these power tools we can't afford to let our attention wander even the slightest.