HOUSE IN A HOUSE

[aggie79]

Bob,

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Take time to heal.

The first time you "get back in the saddle" using woodworking equipment it can be a little scary, but you can overcome those fears. I speak from experience having "chamfered" both of my middle fingers - one on a panel saw and the other on a table saw.

Hope you get back at it soon.

Tom

[Glenn Butcher]

Of all my power tools, the table saw just gives me the shivers every time I use it. I have a few acquaintances with table saw injuries, careful people all, so I approach every cut carefully and don't take my eyes off the blade until it stops. That said, I did my last few cuts without a guard; I'm gonna put it back on when I get home today, thanks for the poingnant reminder. Hoping your healing is quick and pain-free...

[josephhanson]

I use a table saw (home made) it has no guard, and it scares me something terrible. For good reason! Get better Bob, and do be careful.

[S. Heisley]

Sad to hear that you lost part of some of your fingers. It's good that the doctors were able to save so much. It's also good that the scars will be mostly on the tops of your fingers because you'll be able to get back to work sooner. Those scars could be sensitive for a long time. Take good care of yourself and follow doctors' orders as much as you can.

[nevadatear]

Bob, as the owner of a half thumb on my left hand, i can completely understand. Mine was a radial arm saw 4 years ago. Do watch out for neuromas, they are the pits. I assume since you had a good hand surgeon he retracted and buried the nerves where they were cut. Nerves don't like to be cut and form little tumors on the ends as the try to grow to attach to something that no longer exists. Take care, your pain meds and do you therapy when they heal.

[pchast]

Bob,

Sorry to hear of your accident.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Verna]

Bob, I am so sorry about your accident. And, I'm so glad that Scuba was able to come to you to help.

While it is much worse than my near thumb amputation on October 14, 1984 (yup, I'll always remember that day), you do need to get back on the horse and use the table saw as soon as you're able. I'm not able to use a radial arm saw, and I sure as heck can't stand being around one. I didn't get back on the horse quickly enough.

Hollar if you need help--I know lots of us will be very willing to help you since you've made a lot of friends over the years.

Take care.

[mezmo]

Sorry to hear of your accident Bob!

I wish you a fast and thorough recovery - as you said,
there is too much yet to do and I'm sure you still have
to many ideas yet to explore.

We all need to not become too 'comfortable' around our
power tools and to not inadvertently put doing the work
above our safety. Doing that is not usually a conscious
decision but one which we get lulled into by either haste
or a momentary lapse of concentration.

Heal well and heal fast.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[bobhenry]

My worst enemy right now is screw top jars.

Try removing one, one handed

I did learn early on to put my belt thru the belt loops before putting on the pants.

Gal pal ordered a cute little battery powered circular saw. When it arrives I will sneak up on it and face my fears. (thought I would start small). I need to cut out the t-111 on the barn for some vinyl windows we purchased last weekend. There is really only one common denominator in any accident the idiot that was piloting the project. I have dismounted from a motorcycle at 50 MPH and that was no fun either. It was with a bit of uneasiness when after I had rebuilt it I faced geting back on it again.It wasn't the bikes fault any more than the table saws. It was a fool not respecting the machine he was in charge of. I might swallow a bit hard but I will once again use the table saw with a new found respect.

[ParTaxer]

Keep your spirits up Bob; we are all concerned!

[nevadatear]

Check out the gadgets they have for helping with hand mobility. For example, I have a thinggy that pops the vacuum on a new jar and makes it much easier to open. There are also things that wrap around a jar to make it so you can open it one handed. Here are some examples: http://www.wrightstuff.biz/jar-bottle-openers-disabled.html Search for "daily living aids" or "adaptive kitchen equipment" or "aids for arthritis". Even the loss of a tip will cause some permanent loss in dexterity and grip strength, so getting some little helpers might be a good idea for the long run!

[S. Heisley]

Some people can sit down and use their knees/thighs to hold a jar while they open it. That might work until you can find a tool to help. ("Burp" the jar, first.)
Knowing you, you would normally make a tool to use; but, with one cut-up hand, you might be best off to raid the piggy bank a bit.

[bobhenry]

Well to add a little levity to this thread.........

I thought a moose head mount would add a lot to the lodge look of the house in a house !



Wait for it !
















Wait for it !



At my favorite store on ol' farts day $2.79


P.S. My first power tool project since the accident. Just got my stiches out and ready to get busy !

[bobhenry]

Some people can sit down and use their knees/thighs to hold a jar while they open it. That might work until you can find a tool to help. ("Burp" the jar, first.)
Knowing you, you would normally make a tool to use; but, with one cut-up hand, you might be best off to raid the piggy bank a bit.

I had a silicone muffin tin and wrapped it around the jar. I was able to trap the now wrapped jar between my left arm and my side and it no longer slipped.


Adapt and overcome !

[S. Heisley]

I had a silicone muffin tin and wrapped it around the jar. I was able to trap the now wrapped jar between my left arm and my side and it no longer slipped.

Even with a gimpy hand, you figured it out!