🚀 go-pugleaf

It is my hope that in writing this that others might benifit from my
my stupid mistakes. I hope that no one who is considering to start wood
working as a hobby is put off by this. I still enjoy woodworking and will
continue to do it.

Three weeks ago I put my thumb into my table saw blade. A kickback
resulted in me pulling my thumb thru the blade. I was very fortunate
that all the damage to my thumb was repairable. In retrospect there
are some things I could have done to prevent this.

Wrong Attitude

	I was very hurried that day. I was behind schedule and was trying
	to catch up. I had made several measuring mistakes. This was a good
	clue that I was moving to fast. I choose to ignore these hints.


Taking my saw for granted

	I am very relaxed around my saw, maybe even to much. A  1&1/2 motor
	backs alot of kickback. 
	

Lack of push sticks

	I had a push stick for my right hand. Unforunately it was my left
	hand that got it. I'm left handed.


My corrections to the problem.

	I now have a large collection of push sticks and a new respect for
	my saw. Any attitude problems I have are left at the kitchen door
	(or I don't go out). I will never put my hands behind a saw blade with
	wood still in it,.. ever.

Good book to read

	Fine Woodworking has a book of collected articles called "The
	Small Shop". It has some good reading about safety, lung and eye
	protection, etc. I highly recommend it. It's about 6 or 7 dollars.


						Dave Van Ess
						John Fluke Mfg Co
						Everett WA

ps	I suppose my accident could be called a "freud"-ian slip.  Well, at
	least I'm laughing.