dickvn

Excellent way to bring safety issues to the forefront! One thing does have me puzzled, though: how did all of those cut-offs make it that far past the blade with such a short fence? I'm guessing that part must have been set up, because there is nothing there to push the parts through.

I still use a 1950s Rockwell Delta contractor-style table saw that has (had!) a horrible guard. I haven't used the guard in years, because I can't see a thing with it mounted. I was later taught to leave the guard off, think about what I'm doing, and be careful. That instructor -a professional woodworker with years of experience- has since come close to losing half of his hand.

Another point about the ring: I learned over fifty years ago to leave the jewelry at the shop door. I worked in a gas station while going through college, and saw a very experienced mechanic lose his ring finger when the ring made a connection between a battery terminal and a grounded component under the hood.