My first turning accident of significance....

[Richard Link]

Glad to hear that the antibiotics are working. Makes you wonder how things were back before WWII and the discovery of pennicillin, though.

Any idea when you can get back to turning?

Rick

[Steve Busey]

...was adding some embellishment to the rim when the piece of wood I was using to friction the rim..broke and my left hand got thrown onto the bowl.

Ouch! Glad to hear you're on the mend. Not wishing you any pain, but I would much rather learn from *other people's* mistakes!

So maybe someone could help a newbie and explain what you mean by "friction the rim" and how I can know that I'm not doing that!

Thanks in advance - I really enjoy lurking around the Creek, and am anticipating mounting my late father's lathe and making some stardust and sawdust.

[Rick Smith]

From a USMC vet to the Navy...

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Steve...often on a plain piece of wood I'll add some "V" groves to the sides of a bowl, turned box or pepper shaker to dress it up. I then take a piece of guitar string that is attached to a couple of pieces of wood. With the lathe turning the bowl, box or shaker, I'll place the guitar sting into the V groove and allow it to heat up and burn the V. When finished the burned area becomes a darker line around the outside edge of the bowl. I read somewhere that an odd number of lines is more pleasing to the eye so I'll often do this as a single line or 3 lines.

I'd never figured out how to do that to the rim of a bowl. I read where someone did it with a piece of wood. I put a V groove in the rim of the bowl I was turning and using a piece of wood I was frictioning or burning the V in the rim when the piece of wood broke. I was holding it with both hands and the forefinger on my left hand slammed into the rim of the bowl. A spinter about 3/8-1/2" long and about 1/8" in diameter was driven into my left forefinger near the second joint.

I tried digging it out on my own but the wood kept breaking off when ever I grasped it with either tweezers or some forceps I have. It was deeper than I cared to dig myself. Woodworking I've often had slivers go into my hands and was unable to remove them. The next day they'd festered a little and they squeezed right out. I always wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide and soap and water and dress it with some antibiotic creme and a bandage. This time.....it didn't work and in fact, it got down right dangerous as I obviously got a very serious infection.
My newly found advice...if you get a splinter....seek medical attention. I go back for further treatment to day...maybe some more IV antibiotics or maybe they'll decide they can take this IV out of my right arm The swelling is down dramatically and the redness has decreased dramatically too!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

From a USMC vet to the Navy...

USN vet to USMC vet


Maybe replace George's figurine with a " " would be more appropriate!

[Steve Busey]

Thanks for the explanation, Ken - I can visualize it much better now. Sounds like an interesting technique. Sorry this one was so painful to you - good luck on your continued recovery!

[Rick Smith]

Is this better?

[Nancy Laird]

Ken, a number of years ago I got a splinter in my left forefinger on the second knuckle, palm side. It swelled up, got hot and ugly, and I ended up at the hand surgeon having the wound cleaned out and on antibiotics. The doctor told me that when an infection like that gets into the tendon sheath, it can be extremely serious and can lead to loss of a finger--or two. Take care of that finger!!! You want to continue to be able to hold turning tools!!

(Glad it was a good birthday!!)

Nancy (115 days)

[Paul Heely]

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Jason Slutsky]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery Ken.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Is this better?

You sorry rascal!

[Ernie Nyvall]

Ouch!!! Hope you heal fast.