drill press injury

M

Marcel J.B. Morin

Joined
Sep 17, 1999
Messages
602
I know it's been said before, but I just came home from the emergency room with 10 stitches. Clamp your blade before drilling holes. I was in a hurry and had only one hole to drill and figured I could hand hold it. Wrong, it hurt like hell and I'm regretting the fact that I acted rather stupidly. Just a warning to you all, drill responsibly. We all are in a hurry sometimes and that is when we need to think about what we are doing and the consequences of not taking an extraminute and doing the task safely.

Marcel
 
Dang-sorry to hear that,Marcel-hope you heal up soon-I recently injured myself as well.I was in a hurry also,and wound up with 10 stitches(no lie!!)
 
I've been known to do it. I do use a Kevlar glove, but a mistake could still happen.
 
Marcel,
Sorry to hear it, I'll bet most of us are guilty of this one. My general rule of thumb is to clamp anything that is 1/4 or bigger. Heal up fast.
Rick
 
Very sorry about that Michael. I am glad it did not do worse to you. Buffers are even more dangerous; they can kill you. Heal quickly.

rlinger
------
 
We all do stuff like this,

In one week I crushed my hand under a differential,

then the next I crashed my motorcycle at 100 mph

somehow I didnt break any bones, nor go to the hospital

I was Beyond Lucky
 
I was lucky to avoid injury the first time I had a bit get stuck. Before that, I didn't even know it could happen. I now refuse to drill anything that isn't clamped. After all, it only takes five seconds.

The other lesson I learned that day is that you shouldn't let your friends work in your shop unsupervised. Not only is it dangerous, but it can also result in legal problems and lost friendships.
 
Kevlar gloves are sold by the knife supply catalog companies, and by safety supply houses.
Stacy
 
Yep, "Twirlybirds" are no fun. Been there, done that. Still, I can't seem to get my dumb ass to clamp every blade down when I really should.
 
Dang Marcel I hope you a speedy recovery..
OK here I go again:rolleyes:
I'm one of those that do not clamp things down if it's a hole under 5/16" or so.... knock on wood. I'bve drilled this way as large as 1/2"
but for years now I've had practice and a feel for it,, .. I do set up a dead block now more often , so I do think about it at all time and what can happen.. the two most pragmatic times are enlarging a hole and when the drill brakes through
( as said the steel wants to lift) and then twist into the bit making problems worse), these are very dangerous times. I also hand tighten the chuck so the bit will give under less torque... I do not suggest anyone to do this..
it's like they say on stunt junks don't try this at home people
one day you may see me post the same as Marcel is :eek:

why do I do this STILL? a man most of us all know, said once,
"no man alive can hold something down by hand while drilling a 5/16" hole in it.
I think about that each time I drill one.. :D
I know I'm a goof :rolleyes: :) But it's a matter of being totally in control of what you are doing..total control of the feel for that drill and press, don't try this at home people to prove anything..
I've done this years before hearing that said.. but still I can't help but smile each time now :)
heal fast Marcel.. we'll share some war stories at the next hammer in :)
 
Its a good idea to secure the vise onto the plate too. Mine lifted and spinned with the vise when the bit jammed.
 
It's been a rather painful experience, but a lesson I will not forget. I am leaving next Tuesday for Yellowstone Nat. Park, and I am afraid this injury will limit my fly-fishing on my trip. Hoping to get in touch with Dennis Friedly in Cody, Wy. and maybe visit his shop. Just another small setback in my quest to become a better knifemaker. I will finish the knife that did this to me and carry it as my EDC for a while so I don't forget what happened.

Marcel
 
Thanks for sharing this story! I am new to knife making, but experienced in the shop, however, @#$ happens. As a result, I ordered my Kevlar gloves and apron today.
Recover quickly....
Dennis Paish
 
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