OldHicory

Being a totally blind woodworker, most expect me to have a long list of table saw injuries. I have touched the blade before with my thumb while making a lot of same sized cuts and I just wasn't paying enough attention. It didn't require an ER visit. No scars to show off, and I still have all 10 in good working order. I don't use guards any longer because of the problems they create. And a push stick doesn't give me a good feeling either. I made a jig that fits over my Biesemeyer fence to do my pushing now. This puts my hand on top of the fence and well clear of the blade. It also stops kick back because of the length of the jig.

As all seem to agree, the problem is with the user not making good decisions. But whatever the reason, let's keep the government out of making new regulations. It's doubtful many of congress ever got saw dust on themselves but they do know how to suck the joy out of most things they get involved with.

I deal with the Woodcraft store in Raleigh NC and have never had a problem with customer service. True the planes are in a glass case but so are the diamonds at Tiffany's. Keeping expensive tools locked up is more a feflection of society today, not bad customer service. How easy would it be to drop a block plane in a coat pocket and leave?

BTW, the Wood River planes are also behind glass and I've never heard anyone complain about that either.

At my age it's hard to still have heros, but Norm has been mine since the late 70s. Many might not remember he got his start on This Old House with Bob Villa and he has made it look easy since then.

I hope he will also consider running a school somewhere so we could all attend and take home our own special memories. Think about it Norm! You have already taught millions of us on TV. You can open a school and run classes on your favorite projects at different times of the year. You're already a great teacher!