Cut on the Pull

[wdteipen]

I had a bit of a mishap today while cutting the 'V' with my modified jigsaw blade mounted in a handle. Sank that puppy about 3/8" in the end of my thumb almost down to the bone. Unfortunately for me, the teeth cut on the pull so I had a heck of a time getting that thing out of my thumb. I had to use my hobby knife to cut it out. Thought I was going to pass out on the final pull. I did finally get it out and avoided a trip to the ER. I wish I would have taken pictures. Suprisingly, my thumb doesn't feel too bad and it really didn't bleed that much, all things considered. Good times.

Just thought I'd share.

[Carlos]

I did something similar with a large serrated edge bread knife while slicing a bagel. Interesting to feel several of the bumps on that blade as it was trying to slice into the bone in the end of my thumb. I clamped my finger around it and stuck it under cold water. Surprised it didn't hurt. Didn't really bleed much at first. The wife put a butterfly on it. Looked good so we never went to the ER. When it healed it didn't quite match up on both halves. Over a period of years it got to where it is hardly noticeable. But for a time, a couple years actually, I could feel the scar tissue in it. You may have damaged quite a bit of flesh pulling on that blade. You might want to make sure your tetanus shot is up to date. Good luck.

[mredmond]

Yikes! I hope that thing heals up quickly for you, Wayne.

Micah

[Ocelot55]

WAYNE!!! BE MORE CAREFUL!!!

Holy cow man! Fingers don't grow back.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[SchmidtN]

They sure don't grow back, but they're pretty good at reattaching them. Sawed off a finger... didn't hurt or bleed at all, but I did have to go to a specialist to get it sewn back on.

[Growley]

Wayne, I hope it feels better soon. Make sure it doesn't get infected. (my wife is always on me about that). Since we're telling stories here. I had a similar thing happen when I was tinting the windows of my car. I was trimming the edges with my exacto knife when it put it right into my thumb. I was do deep, when I let go of the exacto knife, it just stayed where it was.

I pulled it out, wrapped a paper towel around it, tied it off with electrician's tape and got back to work. Couldn't let my tint set up wrong

...The tint never turned out but my thumb healed.

Anyway, take care of it so you don't end up getting gang green

[Sasquatch]

DEWD!

What were you cutting with this bizarre device? I don't understand how you screwed up so bad with a hand tool....(not like I never have... remember seeing the tendons in my left hand once and almost passing out)

Yo take it eez!

[d.huber]

Whoa. Whoa! WHOA!

Dude, I thought getting my hand banged up from a spinning stummel was bad! I've got to admit, your story certainly makes me feel a little better about my mishap.

I'm sure you guys all have your healing rituals, but I highly recommend a daily dose of hydrogen peroxide followed by a bandage with Neosporin on it. Redress once a day and then when the wound starts to close up, use salve to prevent scarring.

Heal up quickly, Wayne!

[jogilli]

ouch.. must be a week for mishaps. i was cleaning up some bamboo and sliced my index finger wide open in a u shaped form... i had to tape the flap down for 5 days for it to hold.. hope you thumb feels better sooner than 5 days

james

[TRS]

I've mostly stopped using my jigsaw cutter; the 1mm drill in a dremel just works better and faster for me. Almost every time I use the jigsaw it ends up slowly over-widening the slot.

And Wayne, make sure to see a medical professional to get that checked out.

[wdteipen]

I've mostly stopped using my jigsaw cutter; the 1mm drill in a dremel just works better and faster for me. Almost every time I use the jigsaw it ends up slowly over-widening the slot.

And Wayne, make sure to see a medical professional to get that checked out.

I use a combination of 3/64" drill bit and the 'prison shank' (as andrew calls it ) slot cutter. The drill bit leaves a curved edge and I prefer to clean it up with the 'prison shank.'

Oh, and I am a medical professional.

[Nate]

Sorry to hear it Wayne. At least it wasn't the pumpkin cutter with the jigsaw blade! Yikes! Hope you heal quickly.

[Sasquatch]

I use these:

http://www.xacto.com/Product/X215

At least it cuts with a push so if you jamb it in, it's easy to remove.

Also they are very, very thin. Probably 1mm.

[TRS]

I use these:

http://www.xacto.com/Product/X215

At least it cuts with a push so if you jamb it in, it's easy to remove.

Also they are very, very thin. Probably 1mm.

I've never seen those before. Acquiring.

[Alden]

That sucks Wayne. I sliced the tip of a finger off last year (The skin with just a bit of meat). It bled good for a few days but healed up and almost looks normal now. That sucker is still sensitive a year later though. Reach into a pocket and jam the tip of a key right on that spot and it makes me do funny dances.
Good luck.

[vasco]

Just don't try to hold a small v-shaped piece of metal with one hand while using a power drill with the other to enlarge a hole _just_ a tad...
One of the stupidest things I did on my life. I was able to stop the blood with cold water and H2O2 but the sequent trip to ER was quite expensive and the stitches hurt like hell. Do you know that tetanus shots they are using now (here in Portugal) are intramuscular ? :-p

[Alden]

That reminds me I need a tetanus booster.....

[billiard]

Sorry to hear about this but glad you are mostly ok!

[RadDavis]

Wayne, this is called "paying your dues".

Rad