A beekeepers confession

troutstalker2 · November 12, 2009, 07:23:39 PM

I had a thumb-saw incounter last summer. Only took of a big patch of skin off. Its a bad feeling, it happens so fast (duh). I was lucky and did not do too much damage, but it took about a month to heal and it is still numb on the end. I got off easy I know and I'm always more careful now.

I hope you get use of your thumb back....David

Irwin · November 13, 2009, 10:51:25 AM

I would like to see a pic :evil: If no one else wants to see it you can pm it to me. I would like to show it too a kid that is starting to work with wood. Hope you heal up fast.

sc-bee · November 13, 2009, 11:03:20 AM

It would not be a bad idea to have a section in the forum for just that sort of thing. On and off the job safety issues.

Not trying to make it sound like work --- but we get alot of safety messages at work on things some people may never think of as being at risk. And some tend to maybe be a bit graphic for the forum.

A guy just died from an electrical accident in TN. (August) when he jumped off a fork lift after hitting a power line and perhaps returned to try and fight the fire. Very graphic!!! I'm not into the graphic but it will sure make you think!

Another accident here in my home town. A piece of equipment, involved in the 2 million pound generator move to NC, hit the overpass and landed on a 27 year old guys truck and crushed him. Who would have ever thought. They were actually traveling in opposites directions.

My thoughts and prayers to both families.

Not trying to hi-jack this thread--- we just take so many things for granted. GOOD LUCK Bee Nuts to a speedy recovery.

Keith13 · November 13, 2009, 04:54:24 PM

Sorry to hear of your injury and wish you the best in recovery.

I am looking into buying a table saw. Have any of you seen the new saws that run an electric current through the blade. In the event a piece of flesh contacts the blade it instantly stops the blade, thus preventing the loss of digits seems like a brilliant idea

Keith

bee-nuts · November 13, 2009, 08:55:18 PM

Quote from: Irwin on November 13, 2009, 10:51:25 AM
I would like to see a pic :evil: If no one else wants to see it you can pm it to me. I would like to show it too a kid that is starting to work with wood. Hope you heal up fast.

I will put a couple pics on photo bucket or something when my girlfriend takes the digital camera to work where she can hook it up and emails them to me. Or I guess I can take some next time I take the wound dressing off with my digital cam. I dont want to put them on here so nobody has to see something they would rather not. Ill let you know when there published to the web.

Im doin ok and doc said stitches will be out in ten days. Gonna be off work for a bit and collect short term disability. Maybe I should get that bottom board made while I got the time, LOL!! Just kidding but maybe.

lenape13 · November 14, 2009, 08:37:28 AM

Sometimes you just gotta wonder if it's worth making your own equipment... :-\

bee-nuts · November 14, 2009, 06:12:33 PM

Quote from: lenape13 on November 14, 2009, 08:37:28 AM
Sometimes you just gotta wonder if it's worth making your own equipment... :-\

You got that right!! I was at Menard the day I cut my thumb and I can hardly make a box cheaper then I can buy it (and thats with the cheapest grade of lumber). If you screw up on one cut you just lost your savings. If you figure you gas, time, and labor you are definatley taking a loss. However I think it is more of a pride issue knowing that you made it all. I think though if you live in an area like I do you can approach lumber yards and buy short pieces that they end up with cheap enough to make it worth it. However again if you figure all the time dealing with the lumber yards making trips once a month to get a few boards, gas, labor you are better off buying precut equiment and assembling it. If you can find a lumber sourse for free and already have the tools it will be worth it. That is off course untill you cut off a digit.

I am still going to do it out of shear determination to prove that I can and safely. I have talked to one lumber yard and they wanted to much for there scrap. But I am going to talk to them again and a couple others and see what happens. If I can get short board 20" plus for $1 or less thats $4 a box. Menards wants 5.59 for a 1 x 12 x 72". Thats four short sides or 3 long sides. And full of knots. Hardly worth it. If you can make a box 9 1/2 in you will save money but then you need special frames made which will make it pointless.

I think If you are going to make ur own boxes you should go with mediums. You will save more on boxes but lose saving on frames but save your back. You can save real money on bottom boards, top covers, inner covers (untill you cut your thumb off). Thats why I figure I will make bottom board, top covers (covered with roofers valley metal), and inner covers, them worry about boxes. You can make b- boards, T- covers and inner cover out of scrap more or less.

P.S. If you cut of a digit cut off a thumb cause you can still type, somewhat, lol. It actually the worst to cut off from what I have been told. Will post pics soon, I promise.

thank for all your support,

bee-nuts

bee-nuts · November 14, 2009, 06:27:47 PM

I just want to add that many things in life are not worth it if you do the math. Raking your yard is not worth it if you can pay someone 10 dollars an hour and work more hours at work. But most of us do it so we can be at home and save money enen though the math does not work. You can find many examples of this one way or another.

And, I also want to say if you do things right you can make your equipment safely but you will need to take the time to do it safely like unplugging the power when you make adjustments when you handle the blade or put you fingers near them. Waste of time: only until you cut off a finger. Just pretend your shop teacher is standing over your shoulder. And remember when your children are watching that they will do what you do.

bee-nuts · November 15, 2009, 07:14:51 PM

Here are some pics I took today at my sisters house. Not real good quality. I will have some better ones later.

http://s642.photobucket.com/albums/uu144/mofrapy/

lenape13 · November 15, 2009, 08:00:10 PM

Nice job on the stitches. Color looks good, too. Now, just stay away from the business end of power tools and you'll be okay... :shock:

bee-nuts · November 15, 2009, 08:26:41 PM

Quote from: lenape13 on November 15, 2009, 08:00:10 PM
Nice job on the stitches. Color looks good, too. Now, just stay away from the business end of power tools and you'll be okay... :shock:

Cant do that. Im guna show that saw whos boss soon.

asprince · November 15, 2009, 08:40:31 PM

Those pictures bring back memories. Saws don't cut meat very well they tear or rip. Mine had to be stitched and glued.

Looking good!

Steve

Irwin · November 16, 2009, 10:04:41 AM

OUCH :'(

bigbearomaha · November 16, 2009, 07:03:40 PM

Quote from: asprince on November 15, 2009, 08:40:31 PM
Those pictures bring back memories. Saws don't cut meat very well they tear or rip. Mine had to be stitched and glued.

Looking good!

Steve

Au contraire, mon frere,

Saw blades cut meat very well. just not in the appetizing thin slices we like to get at the deli.

Big Bear

hankdog1 · November 17, 2009, 03:44:35 PM

Hope it heals up the thumb is the worest one to lose because we use so much. My grandfather actually did the same thing a little earlier this year. He was suppost to have me around just for supervision while i was building my equipment. He decided to help me out and it ended in a trip to the ER a nasty picture from my aunt after the tip had been reattached. But all is well with him now but it just goes to show you anything can happen while woodworking even seasoned woodworkers. A good reminder too about push sticks they don't cost near as much as a trip to the ER when you cut one up. Hope all goes well with the healing process.

SlickMick · November 17, 2009, 04:03:27 PM

Hey BN you were just so lucky that you didn't lose the thumb.. go out and buy yourself a lottery ticket

Mick

bee-nuts · November 17, 2009, 10:03:14 PM

Quote from: SlickMick on November 17, 2009, 04:03:27 PM
Hey BN you were just so lucky that you didn't lose the thumb.. go out and buy yourself a lottery ticket

Mick

I Dont really believe in luck but I do believe in stupidity and thats why it happened. If I bought a winning lottery ticket I would lose it. You are right though, I could just as easily cut it right off.

bee-nuts · December 03, 2009, 06:09:05 PM

Well my thumb is healing up real fast now. It seemed like it did nothing for two weeks but its healing from inside out. Our body is an amazing thing. I got all my hives wrapped up with help from a friend and now just hope they have enough food for winter. Ive already been in the wood shop and used the drill press and chop saw. My friend used the table saw and I have to say it kinda gives me the creeps.

bee-nuts

rast · December 03, 2009, 06:31:23 PM

For my power tools, my wife bought me a kit from Rocklers one year. An aluminum push stick with a magnetic handle, a couple of push pads and a couple of adjustable feather-boards. I actually use them on my router table, table saws and joiner. It will improve your confidence and believe it or not, your accuracy.

Grandma_DOG · December 04, 2009, 03:39:23 PM

It takes guts to admit these kinds of accidents. I'm glad you did, you will likely save someone an injury in the next 10 years because of this. Thank you.

A beekeepers confession

bigbearomaha