A few injuries lately....anyone else hypnotized by the band saw??

jonnymac44

jonnymac44

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Sep 27, 2007
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Lately I've read a few accounts of makers being bitten by the band saw and needing stitches. It reminded me of something I've been thinking about lately.....

Does anyone else ever feel hypnotized by the band saw?? I can work on a grinder, a mill, or a drill press all day long and into the night and stay alert, but as soon as I hit the band saw, no matter what time of day it is I tend to feel myself zoning out. Sometimes I literally feel like I'm about to fall asleep and have to get up and do something else. I don't know what it is about this particular tool, must be relaxing in some way. I know it's monotonous to just follow a scribed line and band saws do cut slowly when working with steel, but still I'm amazed at how fast I feel drowsy when using mine.

Am I the only one?? :confused:
 
I used to work with a big nasty band saw for cutting stone.

It was always a stomach churning exercise. 8 hours of cutting stone, never fun. I don't know which machine in that room scared me more, though, the massive lathes, the band-saw, or the stone mills!

The teeth on the stone mill were a whirring horrid wheel of death.
 
This happens to me too, drill press sometimes and the lathe also, it's called machine hypnosis and is a very real problem. Force yourself to focus or you can injure yourself badly! It is a practiced discipline like anything else.
 
I haven't been bit by the band saw, but I know what you are talking about. It's the same as free-handing on a table saw with only a line to follow. A weird feeling. Power tools demand respect.
 
Yeah, it's weird. I've worked with power tools of one sort or another all of my life. For some reason this hasn't happened with anything but the band saw. At least I'm aware of it and know to pay extra attention. Never let your guard down with power tools!

Erik, did you have a good time at the show today? Hope Robert enjoyed his briny treat! Remind me to give your son a knife sometime!:D;)
 
I recently had something happen when my mind was zoning. Ran a facemill backwards! :O

I don't know how I managed it, because consciously I can always tell which way I'm spinning the cutter. Woke me up instantly though, and I'm way more cautious about it.
 
jonnymac44 said:
Yeah, it's weird. I've worked with power tools of one sort or another all of my life. For some reason this hasn't happened with anything but the band saw. At least I'm aware of it and know to pay extra attention. Never let your guard down with power tools!

Erik, did you have a good time at the show today? Hope Robert enjoyed his briny treat! Remind me to give your son a knife sometime!:D;)
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Check this, Jon. I think I even mentioned you, lol. Awesome show, wish you were there. I need to get one of your knives in my hand! For those who have no idea what Jon is talking about with briny treat, I was so blown away by Robert Scheppmann's generosity toward my son that I dropped off a cooler full of ice and 8 lobster tails at his table today. In no way did Robert expect any type of payment, but It was important that he knew how much we appreciated his generosity.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/938641-Knife-EXPO-Pasadena-Knife-Show-started-today?p=10662745#post10662745
 
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Not the only one. I tend to get in a zone as well with the bandsaw, and don't really notice where I'm putting my digits... i've cut my thumb open in the same spot probably 5-6 times now, and there is a permanent divot of a scar there now haha

Doing lots of work with a sander I'm the same way, I tend to lean into whatever I'm sanding a little too much and before you know it the end of my finger is missing a bunch of skin!
 
I find that this happens when I'm trying to do One More Thing before lunch or late afternoon.
Take that break, even if it's just going outside for a few breaths of fresh air!
It's the difference between being able to finish the job and having to stop for the rest of the day to get stitches.
Andy G.
 
elementfe said:
I find that this happens when I'm trying to do One More Thing before lunch or late afternoon.
Take that break, even if it's just going outside for a few breaths of fresh air!
It's the difference between being able to finish the job and having to stop for the rest of the day to get stitches.
Andy G.
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I agree. If I am tired, and still want to work, I'll do hand work. Being tired can go wrong very fast around power tools.

Of course I don't have orders to fill. ;)
 
Patrice Lemée;10663581 said:
Sam, you are not comparing the right things. You need to compare the $500 to medical costs and possible loss of digits/dexterity.
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Seems just training yourself to focus is much easier and cheaper all around, SAFTEY IS A MINDSET NOT EQUIPMENT- Grant Sarver.
 
Sam Salvati said:
...SAFTEY IS A MINDSET NOT EQUIPMENT- Grant Sarver.
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Of course I agree Sam. But even with the focus and right mindset, accidents happen don't they? If you have the funds and want to take extra precautions why not?

Sorry for the thread hijack Jonny.
 
Patrice Lemée;10663792 said:
Of course I agree Sam. But even with the focus and right mindset, accidents happen don't they? If you have the funds and want to take extra precautions why not?

Sorry for the thread hijack Jonny.
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No worries Patrice, it's all related stuff :)
 
Lathe operators experience this quite a bit. Running one for 8 + hours a day. Don't stare at the chuck ! I have had this happen to me. First time I heard of it from a bandsaw, but I can understand.
 
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