Stuck index finger under skill saw - ouch!

[charles p]

I reached across the skill saw to grab a small piece of wood to prevent it from falling into the water.  Big mistake.  Could not see the blade and stuck my finger right into it.  Got 26 stitches holding the finger on.  It was not cut off but did chip several pieces of bone.  Cut an artery but not the nerve.

Unlucky but thankful to still have my left index finger.  Was a brand new carbide blade.  Nurse said her husband did the same thing and cut his thumb off.  It was reattached and works great she said.  We had the same doctor.

[Drilling Man]

  Sorry to hear that!  I hope your get it healed up and have full use of it soon!

  I was in a hurry and sawing with a cordlesss circlesaw, and i hit my finger about a year ago.  It went pretty deep, but other than a scar, and no feeling in that spot, it healed fine,



  Then again, it wasn't near as bad as what you have described...

  It made me a lot more careful when i'm using that little saw!!

  DM

[Zulu]

I broke my hand on my lathe turning an 18" bowl several years back.  It only takes a second to misjudge something. 
Be careful out there.
Zulu

[cange]

i was ripping some cherry that was taller than the blade. had my hand over the wood , it got narrower at the end of the rip and came out the side where my thumb was.took off the pad on my thumb. i was in a hurry....SLOW DOWN EVERYBODY....i lost a little feeling but it healed okay....first time i got bit by the tablesaw after 24 yrs.

[kynardsj]

Been there, done that, don't want the tee shirt. Cut my left thumb off in '84. Was re-attached but doesn't bend. Still mighty glad to have it. Then cut about 1/2 inch off the end of my right little finger in 03'. It healed up and actually grew a fingernail back on it. Just a shorter version of the one on the left hand. All the above were no fun, be safe out there.

[GRIMJIM]

I think anyone that does woodworking on a regular basis has some "battle" scars. I know I've got a couple. It does happen quickly. Don't rush, safety first.

[DalesCarpentry]

I know I am lucky to still have all of mine. I have had some close calls. I worked with a guy years ago that was ripping a sheet of plywood and he reached under it to see if the saw was cutting all the way through. What was he thinking? He lost to fingers to that dumb move. Dale

[Horsefeathers]

Stuff happens! A friend used his palm as a work bench while sawing a piece of wood. Left hand holding wood right hand using skill saw. Zip opened up his palm. Doctor down the road  stitched it up. I was setting deck screws with drill when the phillips bit slipped onto my left thumb. Drilled a hole through my left thumb nail.  Horsefeathers.

[DalesCarpentry]

Stuff happens! A friend used his palm as a work bench while sawing a piece of wood. Left hand holding wood right hand using skill saw. Zip opened up his palm. Doctor down the road  stitched it up. I was setting deck screws with drill when the phillips bit slipped onto my left thumb. Drilled a hole through my left thumb nail.  Horsefeathers.

Yea I have run more than one phillips bit into my fingers and it hurts. Dale

[GRIMJIM]

Stuff happens! A friend used his palm as a work bench while sawing a piece of wood. Left hand holding wood right hand using skill saw. Zip opened up his palm. Doctor down the road  stitched it up. I was setting deck screws with drill when the phillips bit slipped onto my left thumb. Drilled a hole through my left thumb nail.  Horsefeathers.

Yea I have run more than one phillips bit into my fingers and it hurts. Dale

Yep

[charles p]

Been two weeks now.  Stiches came out Friday and Monday after 10 days.  Wound was still open.  Doc said there wasn't any good meat to stitch to.  Good news today.  Redressed the finger on Tuesday afternoon and the wound is now closed over and dry.  Got some gauze stuck in it, but that tissue will die and fall off anyway.  Some feeling coming back.  Think I will pull through with all my fingers. 

The cut never healed up until I stopped putting poly ointment on the finger.  Once it dried out, it stuck back together.  Think I might leave the bandage off at night soon.  Seems to need air.

The Good Lord is looking over my shoulder I think.

[charles p]

Been three weeks now.  The finger is still numb, and dead skin is shedding daily, but it seems to be alive.  It has some feeling and color.  Think it will have a crook in it.  Last joint points downward.

Glad to still have my left index finger.  It's been with me for 63 years.  It's been in a lot of special places.

[mrbigtexan]

always take extra care with your trigger finger!!

[Slowhanddd]

I've nicked a few fingers but nothing ever serious.I did nail two fingers together with a air finish gun.Just scraped the bone on both.Still have numb spots on both fingers from it.It was only a 1 1/2" finish nail.Pulled it out and went on working after changing my under ware.and cleaning up the blood.

[scootrd]

I've nicked a few fingers but nothing ever serious.I did nail two fingers together with a air finish gun.Just scraped the bone on both.Still have numb spots on both fingers from it.It was only a 1 1/2" finish nail.Pulled it out and went on working after changing my under ware.and cleaning up the blood.

Yep done that  making birdhouses, went in smooth as silk , lifted my hand with the wood still attached as the 1 1/2" went right through the wood and my palm..Had to kinda step back and marvel at that for a moment .... hard part was knowing I had to pull it out.

worst hand injury I ever had was working in boat Marina lost tips of two fingers on a customers prop.

[Oldshooter]

Ooooouuuuuuchhhhh! I had a guy almost bit my middle off once...... a long time ago!    It will heal but you'll have scar to remember it by!

[Zulu]

Ooooouuuuuuchhhhh! I had a guy almost bit my middle off once...... a long time ago!    It will heal but you'll have scar to remember it by!

That's the story I want to hear!
Zulu

[scootrd]

Ooooouuuuuuchhhhh! I had a guy almost bit my middle off once...... a long time ago!    It will heal but you'll have scar to remember it by!

That's the story I want to hear!
Zulu

Mike Tyson ?

[Matt3357]

Man you guys sure are hard on your hands.  They don't make bolt on replacements quite yet.

Matt

[Oldshooter]

Ooooouuuuuuchhhhh! I had a guy almost bit my middle off once...... a long time ago!    It will heal but you'll have scar to remember it by!

That's the story I want to hear!
Zulu

We'll have to go fishing an I'll tell it to you, and show you the scar! Once upon a time, long long ago I really thought I was ten feet tall and bullet proof! and Lots of beer was involved.   

[bobg]

  I have never had a problem with the skill saw but in a very stupid move i did cut the side off  the tip of my ring finger running a short piece across the jointer.  That was 45 years ago and it is still numb.

[GRIMJIM]

Man you guys sure are hard on your hands.  They don't make bolt on replacements quite yet.

Matt

It's not that. If you work with power tools long and often enough something will haoppen. Just hopefully it's not major.