This is just a reminder for all of you guys who work with machine tools to never underestimate safety. I've worked with machine tools since 1974,,,,over 39 years and counting, and have never had anything close to a major safety issue,,,,,,until this past Wednesday night. I got home at around midnite after my regular (2nd) shift as a CNC Programmer and decided to go out in my shop and work a while on a cue I have in progress. The cue is almost done, just a few minutes of final sanding before I put the sealer on, and so after just a couple of minutes of sanding I reached over to hit the power off switch, but somehow reached right past, and below the switch, and crammed 2 fingers directly into the pulleys on the end of the headstock. DAMN!!!!!!
I tore the entire nail, and a sizeable hunk from the end of my middle finger, and, broke my ring finger just below the 1st joint, as well as cutting about 80% through the finger. About 5/8-3/4 inch of my ring finger was almost severed, and laying at about a 30 degree angle from where it should have been. After several hours in the emergency room they stitched the end of my ring finger back somewhat in position, bandaged me all up and sent me home. Friday morning I go to the Orthopedic surgeon and after all is said and done the middle finger will hopefully be ok with some skin grafts and time, and the ring finger still has feeling in the almost severed end, and so after alot of very painful pulling and repositioning, it's currently forced and held in position by splints and bandaging that feels way too tight,,,,,but they think it MAY grow back together and be somewhat useable,,,,,,,time will tell.
Now the point,,,,,,this is not for simpathy at all,,,,,,I would just like to make everyone aware that you can never take too many precautions. There is always the obvious danger of getting hurt on the business side of machining where you are making the cuts and such, and hopefully we can all keep our hands and extremities away from danger while performing these operations,,,,,,,here I want to remind and urge people to take a second look at your machinery and setups and and be sure that exposed, moving parts, drive trains, etc,,,are covered with guards to prevent mishaps.
I have since fashioned a guard to cover my pulleys on my Taig lathe so as to prevent hands from access,,,,,,,,it's very simple, the corner of a cardboard box and duct tape (best I could do with one hand), but I will probably make one from sheet metal that is quicky removable and easily repositioned as soon as I can.
So the point is,,,,,,,,,be careful. I just got the most severe injury I've ever had in over 39 years of machining, on the lowest priced, and probably the least powerful machine tool I've ever used, and not even in the work envelope of the machine. Guards and safety take a little time to employ,,,,but no where near the hassle and pain of hospital and Dr. office visits. Be Careful fellas, it's worth the effort!
Here are a couple of pics of my new makeshift guard on my headstock pulleys, until I get a chance to make something better out of Sheet metal, but even so, not much chance of an accident with exposed pulleys now.
I sincerely hope this helps someone,,,,,,,,
I tore the entire nail, and a sizeable hunk from the end of my middle finger, and, broke my ring finger just below the 1st joint, as well as cutting about 80% through the finger. About 5/8-3/4 inch of my ring finger was almost severed, and laying at about a 30 degree angle from where it should have been. After several hours in the emergency room they stitched the end of my ring finger back somewhat in position, bandaged me all up and sent me home. Friday morning I go to the Orthopedic surgeon and after all is said and done the middle finger will hopefully be ok with some skin grafts and time, and the ring finger still has feeling in the almost severed end, and so after alot of very painful pulling and repositioning, it's currently forced and held in position by splints and bandaging that feels way too tight,,,,,but they think it MAY grow back together and be somewhat useable,,,,,,,time will tell.
Now the point,,,,,,this is not for simpathy at all,,,,,,I would just like to make everyone aware that you can never take too many precautions. There is always the obvious danger of getting hurt on the business side of machining where you are making the cuts and such, and hopefully we can all keep our hands and extremities away from danger while performing these operations,,,,,,,here I want to remind and urge people to take a second look at your machinery and setups and and be sure that exposed, moving parts, drive trains, etc,,,are covered with guards to prevent mishaps.
I have since fashioned a guard to cover my pulleys on my Taig lathe so as to prevent hands from access,,,,,,,,it's very simple, the corner of a cardboard box and duct tape (best I could do with one hand), but I will probably make one from sheet metal that is quicky removable and easily repositioned as soon as I can.
So the point is,,,,,,,,,be careful. I just got the most severe injury I've ever had in over 39 years of machining, on the lowest priced, and probably the least powerful machine tool I've ever used, and not even in the work envelope of the machine. Guards and safety take a little time to employ,,,,but no where near the hassle and pain of hospital and Dr. office visits. Be Careful fellas, it's worth the effort!
Here are a couple of pics of my new makeshift guard on my headstock pulleys, until I get a chance to make something better out of Sheet metal, but even so, not much chance of an accident with exposed pulleys now.
I sincerely hope this helps someone,,,,,,,,
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