Shop Accidents - Let me learn from your mistakes.

LucyCustomKnives said:
Even if you can't throw knives, your grinder can... (credit to someone else here... Can't remember who...)
Click to expand...

Could have been me. I left the half-ground blank stuck 1" deep in the wall behind my grinder, right where the grinder decided it should be, to remind me not to do that again...
 
james terrio said:
Could have been me. I left the half-ground blank stuck 1" deep in the wall behind my grinder, right where the grinder decided it should be, to remind me not to do that again...
Click to expand...
Well, I was running down the list of people who might have said that and honestly you were quite high on it. Mostly because you're usually straight forward about that kind stuff...

To kind of reiterate what has been said above too, spend good money on your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment.) Respirator, eye protection (both those in one is nice to have...), a leather apron, welding gloves are handy even if you don't weld, etc. A few bucks on a good system and it will last for a long time and work properly.

Anyone else see the stupid thing the 'Big Giant Swords' guy wears? Hangs behind his back? Like particulate and fumes don't waft around your body.... I swear, the stuff they put on TV. It means we have to answer a bunch of stupid questions when someone asks us about our knife making...

And as much as you'll glean from responses and info here, you're going to make your own mistakes. As has been said, the trick is to learn from them. James has it spot on. Do whatever you need to remember them.

Cheers.
Eric
 
Anyone else see the stupid thing the 'Big Giant Swords' guy wears? Hangs behind his back? Like particulate and fumes don't waft around your body.... I swear, the stuff they put on TV. It means we have to answer a bunch of stupid questions when someone asks us about our knife making...
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's just a painted "Resp O Rator," which I know some makers really like (doesn't fog up your safety glasses, apparently). It does have air filters on the back, IIRC.

Every injury I've ever gotten in the shop was because I was rushing. Usually when I was hurriedly trying to correct a mistake (I once ended up grinding deep into my finger when I was trying to quickly grind out a cold-shut).

When you feel like you need to hurry up... that's right when you need to slow down.
 
Yes use a respirator filter.
Then since hasn't been mentioned, be sure the blade don't get sucked between the belt and the work rest...even if the stock is thicker then the gap, the tapered point may be not...and the natural reaction will be to try to hold the knife...ouch!!
 
I am not a knife maker, but I do work in the field of HSE. I see a lot of you focusing on PPE, which is good, but it would be better to eliminate the need for PPE (and then still wear them anyway, just in case).

For example, a clear plastic barrier (I forget the english name of the material) could be placed at the drill, between the workpiece and you. Instead of just a respirator, you could vacuum the fine dust near the workpiece/machine working on it. (There is equipment for this that you can hook up to a vacuum cleaner).

Since I'm on my break, I can't take too long typing this, but would those two suggestions be feasible/practical for you guys?
 
Don't work when you are tired, in a hurry or in a bad mood.

The very last step in knife making should be to sharpen it.

Always wear eye, ear and respiratory protection.
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
Well, I was running down the list of people who might have said that and honestly you were quite high on it. Mostly because you're usually straight forward about that kind stuff...
Click to expand...

Hopefully others will learn from my mistakes. Lord knows there are enough of 'em :o

Mitchell Knives said:
Don't work when you are tired, in a hurry or in a bad mood.
Click to expand...

HALT! (don't work when you're Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.) In other words, just keep a clear head. :)
 
Tenebr0s said:
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's just a painted "Resp O Rator," which I know some makers really like (doesn't fog up your safety glasses, apparently). It does have air filters on the back, IIRC.

Every injury I've ever gotten in the shop was because I was rushing. Usually when I was hurriedly trying to correct a mistake (I once ended up grinding deep into my finger when I was trying to quickly grind out a cold-shut).

When you feel like you need to hurry up... that's right when you need to slow down.
Click to expand...
I don't actively watch the show, but I thought it looked like a snorkel mouthpiece with no filter... If it has a filter, ok, reasonable solution... Better still is a full face with good two stage HEPA and activated charcoal filters. I know that isn't in everyone's budget, and anything is better than nothing...
And Lodd is exactly right. Having some sort of mitigation system in place in addition to PPE is ideal. I have seen some pretty ingenious setups fabricated here.

Cheers...
 
luckily I haven't had any serious injuries yet. Drill press helicopters and scotchbrite belt grabbing and throwing a knife at me have been the closest calls I've had. I bought a vise(actually 2) for my drill press to eliminate that safety concern but neither work on my DP. I need to upgrade my small crappy DP. I've had too many close calls on that thing.
 
This was my wake up call. I was quite lucky that I still have that finger. While using a work rest on my 2x72, rough grinding blanks on a 36* belt. The belt grabbed the glove and sucked it between the work rest and the belt. I shiver to think what would have happened if my finger was pulled in too. I don't use gloves while using a work rest anymore and more importantly I pay extra close attention to were my fingers are.
14835927771_04632027c8_c.jpg
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
I don't actively watch the show, but I thought it looked like a snorkel mouthpiece with no filter... If it has a filter, ok, reasonable solution... Better still is a full face with good two stage HEPA and activated charcoal filters. I know that isn't in everyone's budget, and anything is better than nothing...
And Lodd is exactly right. Having some sort of mitigation system in place in addition to PPE is ideal. I have seen some pretty ingenious setups fabricated here.

Cheers...
Click to expand...

I use one and it's a great respirator, especially if you have a beard. Even a full face won't get a good seal with my beard. The respirator accepts p100 filters too.
 
JG Custom Metal Works said:
I use one and it's a great respirator, especially if you have a beard. Even a full face won't get a good seal with my beard. The respirator accepts p100 filters too.
Click to expand...
The narc guys always fuss and complain when we have to hit a lab because it means shaving their beard/goatee to get a good seal in our Scott SCBA masks. ... I can certainly understand having to find some solution around that for everyday shop use. I just caught a portion of the show and he was talking about how everything he had was built/modified. He spoke as if it was something he fabled up. Again, if it takes a filter, that's great.

I don't watch the show for several reasons. But I can dig that he's doing something different. And that's all I'm gonna say about it.

-E
 
Just cause metal is not red doesn't mean it's not hot. Learned that the hard way trying to straiten a knife I was forging...by hand...bare hand...:(

I know, it's a wonder I am still here. * sigh *
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
The narc guys always fuss and complain when we have to hit a lab because it means shaving their beard/goatee to get a good seal in our Scott SCBA masks. ... I can certainly understand having to find some solution around that for everyday shop use. I just caught a portion of the show and he was talking about how everything he had was built/modified. He spoke as if it was something he fabled up. Again, if it takes a filter, that's great.

I don't watch the show for several reasons. But I can dig that he's doing something different. And that's all I'm gonna say about it.

-E
Click to expand...

I've never seen the show and I don't think I ever will. Not really into video game swords.

The Resp-O-rator was all I was talking about.

Anyway, sorry for the brief derail guys.

As far as dangers in the shop I will echo what others have said in regards to buffers. A knifemaker in AK was killed recently by one.
 
Don't be like this idiot. He did not clamp his work down to the drill press table and paid the price. He's lucky that he can still make knives.


vauOkksl.jpg
 
I've been hearing a lot about buffers, obviously they can grab and throw knives. What additional precautions should I take with mine. I recently bought a paper wheel set up but I'm beginning to have second thoughts.
 
Absolutely, positively do not eat a lunch of bratwurst, raw cauliflower, broccoli and hummus, with a side of Brussels sprouts, then put your respirator back on in the shop. A single burp will likely lay you unconscious, and you'll probably fall foward into your grinder and wake up with a bad case of road rash on your face.

Also, don't eat horse tranquilizers. Unless, of course, your doctor prescribes them to you.

You. Not your horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top