Non-knife related injury

Phillip Patton

Phillip Patton

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
5,382
Hey guys,
This morning I had an accident with the buffer and thought I'd share the story and a photo of the aftermath with you.

I was not working on a knife, but since many of us use buffers (and some of you who don't may be considering it), I think it's a good reminder of how dangerous they are.

First the story:

Several weeks ago I bought a guitar kit from Grizzly, and since then I've been working on it in between knife projects. Well, today is the day I finished it. I had tied the low "E" string on at the bridge in preparation for setting the action, and noticed some areas between the bridge and sound hole that could use a little more buffing.

So, I headed over to the buffer, and with one hand held the loose, still attached string, out of the way with one hand. Things went fine until something went wrong. :mad: The buffing wheel caught the string, ripped it off the bridge, administered 39 lashes (the punishment for stupidity), and flung it into the corner of the shop.

So far, I've counted six different cuts on various parts of my body. None of them hurt, so I'm only aware of the one on my scalp because of the trickle of blood... It cut me on my chest through my t-shirt. But the really ugly one is on my nose.

So, the 2 seconds I saved by not untying the string cost me who knows how many hours of work, and possibly a lifelong scar on my schnozz.

But the wound that hurts the most is the big weal across the top and side of the finished guitar...

Anyway, for those of you who have strong stomachs, here is the picture:

www.pattonblades.com/nosecut.jpg

This is my first accident in all the years I've been using a buffer, and I'm thankful that it wasn't worse.

Be safe,
Phillip
 
Hi,

Thank heavens the guitar will recover! :D I don't think you will scar from the looks of the photo. Still, I do feel the pain from the foolish sensation you have right now because I've been there and done that too. More often than I should.

Thanks for sharing your mishap. We all need to be reminded by one another to be careful!

dalee
 
I'm not clicking on your picture because I think I know what it looks like already. Your story reminds me of the time I was going to buff a 2 foot long piece of twisted nickel silver wire on my 3600 rpm loose buffing wheel. I just touched it to the buff and it ripped it out of my hands so fast I couldnt do anything except scream and jump. It was whipping around and making a loud whirrling sound but thankfully I didnt get cut up.
Heal fast my wounded friend.
 
Thank gawd you are alright! Man that could so easily have been one of your fingers severed off your hand or an eye sliced clean open. I mean you were micrometers from permanent lifelong disfigurement. I am so GLAD you came out with amount to just scratches in comparison to the potential catastrophe it could have been. And...thanks for having the huevos to share this news of this mishap with us. It just might make the difference in keeping one of us safe the next time we're in a hurry.
 
I'm not even going to tell you guys what I did yesterday and how I got a 4" cut in one shirt and a 0.5" cut in the shirt under the first... but it didn't have anything to do with drilling the tang on a sharpened knife, nope, definitely wasn't doing that.

Just thought I'd add that I punched myself in the nuts for being so stupid.
 
Phillip,
Thank Goodness the injuries you received were all "healable" and not permanent damage.

Bet you pumped a bunch of adrenaline!
 
The most dangerous "tool" in a knife shop is the knifemaker, followed closely by the buffer

-Page
 
Wow dang man that sucks! At least you did not lose an eye. Even with eye protection a wizzing string could do some serious damage! I have had cuts and puncture wounds from just playing guitar and having strings break.

How bad is the damage to the guitar? Are you going to try and repair it or finish it out as is?

Oh and scars just add charecter.
 
It's not AS bad as I had thought, at least from the picture. I suggest using vitamin E on it, as it helps skin recover and can reduce scar. Also coconut oil on it can reduce scaring (especially when it's fresh).
 
Sorry to hear of the injury, glad it wasn't worse. On an off note how are those grizzly kits? They have always made me curious. They seem to be a great deal if the wood is the quality that they show in the pictures.
 
Too close to the eyeball, man that was a narrow escape.

Buffers freak me out, I always expect the worst from them.

Glad that you are OK, and didn't get it worse.

Chuck
 
Wow, that was close. Hope you heal fast... I hate buffers, I'm glad I have slowed down mine to 500 RPM, still I work on this sloow buffer with full face mask and leather apron... Those things are unreliable...
 
DOH!

When I showed the pic to Nanc, she said, "I can just picture that string cracking like a whip, going 'dumb ass, dumb ass, dumb ass' every time it smacked him!" I guess that sums it up pretty well. The Evil Beast gets everyone who uses one, eventually, especially if you lose focus about it.

I'm glad you're not seriously damaged, Phillip, and share your sadness over your injured guitar. :(
 
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