Are your tools dangerous?

[mike stenson]

I don't quite follow your logic and I don't "blow off" safety for any tool.

I just don't view tools as being dangerous, as in being worried about injury.
I try to understand all I can about how tools work and then there is less of a cause for concern.
A tool after all, is an intimate object and only does what the operator makes it do, this is what makes it dangerous or not, IMO

If a tool isn't inherently dangerous to operate, no training is required to use one without injury. I don't go off saying that scuba diving isn't dangerous because I'm trained to do so. Because I'm trained to do so I KNOW it's dangerous. I wear safety equipment when downhill mountain biking, or when climbing, etc. Why? Because they're inherently dangerous activities.

I don't understand the whole point of trying to whitewash an activity as 'completely safe'. Unless you're not using the equipment. Then sure, it's "safe".

[Dave Anderson NH]

There is no question that the operators of table saws are dangerous. My point being that used when tired, used carelessly, or having your attention lag when doing a large number of repetitive motions all people can generate potential accidents. When my son bought his house and started to build up a basement shop we gave him a contractor style table saw as a Christmas/birthday present some 20+ years ago. Yes, his birthday is unfortunately December 28th. The day I helped him set it up we had a safety discussion and particularly concentrated on the dangers of ripping operations. I brought along a 4 foot long piece of scrap polyethylene from work about a foot wide and an inch thick. I made him stand in the danger zone holding a piece of plywood covering him from the neck to crotch. I used the polyfoam to induce a kickback which hit him just above the waist. I have since suggested this type of demo to friends teaching new users. It is a real attention getter and clearly shows the speed at which something bad can happen.

[Michael Burnside]

If a tool isn't inherently dangerous to operate, no training is required to use one without injury. I don't go off saying that scuba diving isn't dangerous because I'm trained to do so. Because I'm trained to do so I KNOW it's dangerous. I wear safety equipment when downhill mountain biking, or when climbing, etc. Why? Because they're inherently dangerous activities.

I don't understand the whole point of trying to whitewash an activity as 'completely safe'. Unless you're not using the equipment. Then sure, it's "safe".

Exactly, Mike. I don't quite understand the 'inanimate' argument either. I mean yea a bike or table saw isn't dangerous until you use it, but "dangerous", to me, means what can happen to me when using it...I mean what else is there? I never thought about my DH rig being dangerous sitting in the garage, but I'm not all geared up for nothing because I don't think the act of using it isn't LOL. That categorized mindset will get you hurt, even if you're an "expert". Which, by the way, I raced super-D and cyclocross for 10 years as Cat II/III and this "expert" ate plenty of dirt.

[Edward Weber]

If a tool isn't inherently dangerous to operate, no training is required to use one without injury. I don't go off saying that scuba diving isn't dangerous because I'm trained to do so. Because I'm trained to do so I KNOW it's dangerous. I wear safety equipment when downhill mountain biking, or when climbing, etc. Why? Because they're inherently dangerous activities.

I don't understand the whole point of trying to whitewash an activity as 'completely safe'. Unless you're not using the equipment. Then sure, it's "safe".

I know some of you will pick apart every word no matter what I say but I'll say it anyway.
ANYTHING can be considered dangerous if used improperly, I think we've at least established that. A pillow can be dangerous if used improperly, yet most of us sleep with one.
People are what make tools dangerous, for innumerable reasons.
"If a tool isn't inherently dangerous to operate, no training is required to use one without injury."
Interesting view, Does everyone who buys/uses tools get training or is everyone with a tool in imitate danger of somehow injuring themselves?

My point is that I do not consciously think, "now I'm going to use the tablesaw, possibly the most dangerous tool in the shop" That's ludicrous. For me tools are useful and to be respected, not feared. Use them as they're designed to be used and follow any and all safety precautions applicable to you. If you do that, most all perceived potential "dangers" can be easily avoided. Everyone should be aware of what could happen when using tools, the more you know the better off you are,
While I don't dismiss any dangers that could happen, I don't dwell on it.
I also don't think I ever said "completely safe" that's just false. I'm also not whitewashing anything, it's just my personal viewpoint.
I'm not trying to label the machine one way or another, I'm talking about a frame of mind.

[Warren Lake]

done tons of work with routers not had issues with them. Snapped some bits pushing too hard, operator error.

[Tony Shea]

As of 2 nights ago, the tool that has caused the only accidents I've encountered is the Drill Press!! Believe or not this tool has had 2 very close calls, both were caused by my stupidity. 99% of the time the reason a tool becomes dangerous is due to improper use. First lesson that I hear in the safety meeting at least once a year at work is wearing gloves with spinning equipment is so dumb! Second lesson, don't clean the debris off the drill bit with your finger while the drill press is still running!

.drill press glove wrapped.jpg

drill press glove flat.jpg

drill press glove and hand.jpg

[Tom Trees]

Yes obviously.... well kinda, but I'm working on it, and it'll not be getting wired up until then.
SAM_8247.jpg!SAM_8881.jpgSAM_8283.jpg
Lot's to do yet, getting closer to an overhead crown guard made, one that will actually work is my intention,
(unlike some versions which seemingly don't offer the same protection, and can lift freely)
Not got round to an outfeed, which I'll be trying to mount to the mobile saw.
I'll probably have to make an infeed seperate.

Not got round to making a UK HSE spec fence system yet either, (see Roy Sutton's safe wood machining on YT)
as I've not found an off the shelf extrusion, and those companies who have the capability
of making such, will under no circumstances offer something which would make them lose a sale.

And not got round to making Shaw guards for trench cuts, (as also seen in Roy's video)
but still overall, a lot easier job than what ye folks have to deal with, considering most old iron from the USA doesn't have a riving knife.

Go buy a new saw, some might say, but my old Startrite has a lot going for it, i.e a substantial cast iron table,
compared to some of the newer offerings, which weigh a lot less, and as such, questionable how flat those tables will stay,
or indeed how substantial of an insert one could fit, which is also a very important hidden feature of sorts.

Tom

[Patty Hann]

I really asked because I constantly hear people saying "tablesaws are dangerous", I just don't look at it that way.

Someone said that to me...actually, several people have.
My response: So are cars.

[Warren Lake]

we took down a 80 -90 foot spruce leaning back over a cottage last year. I worked ropes and cut up stuff up that was down already between him needing me on the ropes. When he was down we were talking and I told him I think a table saw is more dangerous than a chain saw he just stared at me blank.

[Maurice Mcmurry]

Two of my Danger Ranger spokes people are E.R. doctors. One of them says his most detested tool is the chain saw. The other says hers is the ATV.

[Mike Cutler]

Yep, all of them are dangerous. If it's fun, there's risk. It's just the way the world is.
Sometimes I work on my shotguns in the shop.
Gotta agree about ladders though. I have absolutely zero fear of heights. Ladders scare the heck out of me.
Chainsaws don't scare me, trees do. Trees are wicked fast!

All kidding aside, any tool can present a danger. You have to respect the tool, and what it can, and cannot, do.

[Bill Dufour]

The one that surprises many, including myself, is the grinder coming up to speed and the wheel exploding into shrapnel.
BillD

[Tom Trees]

The one that surprises many, including myself, is the grinder coming up to speed and the wheel exploding into shrapnel.
BillD

I've got scolded for that before, glazed wheels that is, what said to heat up the stone, which is one way for that to happen apparently.
IIRC, (don't quote me on this) some say you can hear when a wheel has a fracture, not that I've ever tried tapping one.
It kinda seems like a good way to make that happen to me...

That said, I've never even looked to see some evidence of the damage an exploding grinding wheel can do,
as I suppose it likely could be the same deal with tablesaws...some folks coming away less scathed than others.
I've read of someone cutting fillets before, and the offcut harpooning someone's thumb off, which is likely somewhat of a freak incident,
i.e not so common, nevermind an amputation.

I'd sure find it interesting to read, whether this is huge grinding wheels we're talking about, where safety goggles aren't enough,
or if indeed someone could potentially be killed by their 6 or 8 inch wheeled grinder.

Not trying to make one trawl through the net to find something, a brief recollection would do.
Cheers for posting Bill, I'll keep that in mind to stand off to one side on startup, as I can't recall that particular aspect said before.

Tom

[Bill Dufour]

Only time I almost saw it was cutoff wheel in a skillsaw. Wheel had ben dropped and a small divot taken out. Started it up and it shook a bit but not crazy. Bounded up and down in the cut. It did not smooth out just got worse and worse.
Bill D

[glenn bradley]

My tools are way more safe than something like an automobile. That being said they are, of course, used with a degree of risk directly proportional to your training, experience, and personality . Many a macho dingbat has been laid low by reality infringing on his version of the world. I forget how many folks are seen for injuries from clawing themselves in the face with a framing hammer per year. A nice sharp chisel will open you up easily with no electrons involved whatsoever . . . except maybe for the overhead lights . Anyone who has worked with multi-ton machines has a serious respect for physics or has a nice obituary in their home town paper. I once nicked my finger with a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. Six months later I did it again, same finger, same spot, showing someone how I did it the first time . . . talk about embarrassing. Know your tools. Know your self. Rely on your training and stay safe out there.