A sobering reminder

[SimeonTurner]

Note to all pipemakers, be they professionals or hobbyists. Powertools are dangerous, and caution should be used at all times. You never win in an argument with a drill bit.



I lucked out. It hurts, but it's not too bad, really.

[Alden]

Down in the South this stuff usually starts with "Y'all watch this shit right here".
Nice to see the fingernail still attached, that is a definite bonus. Ugly tear though. I'm pretty sure a professional would recommend a trip to the doctor. I say walk it off, and keep it clean
How exactly did you manage this ?

[Ocelot55]

Ouch! I just took off one of my knuckles on the sanding disk yesterday, but I think yours is worse.

As my pappy used to say, "Quit being a pussy! I've had worse on my eye." Did I mention he was blind...(joking)

[baweaverpipes]

Simon is a klutz! Simon is a klutz!

[Charl]

The bad thing is that in cases like this, you normally see what is about to happen and at the same time think: dammit, that was really stupid! Cut halfway through my finger with a brand new stanley blade not too long ago, which took 4 weeks to heal and still is sensitive.
And that is not the only time..
And I'm sure more will follow..

[Hudson]

Ouch, I feel your pain (not really, thankfully). But, you're right, it could have easily been worse.

And congratulations, incidentally, on being added to the SmokingPipes stable. Dig the Cherrywood.

[RadDavis]

Simian,

Why did you do that?

Rad

[SimeonTurner]

Simian,

Why did you do that?

Rad

I figured if I wanted to be considered a legit carver, I needed scars or something, and I was too afraid to just cut off a fingertip in the bandsaw.

Am I legit now?

[wdteipen]

Weak. Didn't even require Superglue. To become a legit pipemaker you have to lose a testicle while using powertools. Now step to it.

[Growley]

Simian,

Why did you do that?

Rad

I figured if I wanted to be considered a legit carver, I needed scars or something, and I was too afraid to just cut off a fingertip in the bandsaw.

Am I legit now?

Rad's got worse stories for sure...one that made me cringe big time. I think about it every time I have a drill bit in my tail stock.

Not to lessen your experience of course. Glad it wasn't worse.

[RadDavis]

Simian, to be completely legit, you also have to set your shop on fire.

Rad

[jogilli]

great thread.. time to compare scares... I sliced index finger with half open cleaning up some bamboo.. had to keep a bandaid on it for about 2 weeks.. the good thing is it's on the left hand index finger and the tip had already been cut off when I was 17/18. The doctors put it back on and the nerves never grew together right so it's kinda there with not all the feeling.

so it didn't hurt too much.. but like Carl said.. I watch the blade, as in slow motion do it's damage and just looked at it in astonishment... ruinded the piece of bamboo though.

I guess I could have kept it, and since a end up making quite a bit of egg shape pipes, could have put one together and called it a bloody egg.. just couldn't sale it in the UK I don't think

james

[JMG]

Power tools are for sissies and richies. I did this with a plain, old chisel...

[Sasquatch]

Why would you use a chisel to put in stitches? I'm confused.

[Ocelot55]

Ouch!

[RadDavis]

Stitches are for sissies. A real man would've poured some super glue on that and gotten back to work.

Rad

[Sasquatch]

Maybe it's not stitches.

Maybe it's.... Brundle-Fly.

[Charl]

Real men use superglue? Jeez, you Americans are sissies! Here in Africa we use masking tape.

[SimeonTurner]

I decided to leave the wound open and now stain all my pipes with my own blood. It makes them more collectible.

[oklahoma red]

Arg! Bunch of pussies the whole lot of ya. Pour some lacquer thinner on your little cat scratches and move on. Like Simeon says, blood makes a good pipe stain.
Chas.