Yes, I lost a chunk of my middle finger because i was using the wrong type of push "stick" on buzzer/planer. You just cant be too careful.

In my case just a hobbyest wood worker, I did not know there was a safer type of pusher/hold to use. I know now!

: Thought about this and I know we have a lot of people building boats that are
: not experienced woodworkers. Using a table saw is not something to take
: lightly. I have been using one since I was kid. I am a very safe
: woodworking and till now only once have I hurt myself. Stuck the same
: thumb in a bandsaw blade because I did something stupid. Not paying
: attention and walked away with a very minor cut and a boat load of
: education.

: Fast forward two years and I was being careful and a freak accident lands me
: in the ER with a mangled thumb from a flying piece of Western Red Cedar.
: Mind you that was a very small piece of wood that hit my thumb. One most
: people would not worry about. But it's not the size of the wood. It's the
: speed it travels at.

: I didn't even know what happened. I just knew my thumb hurt bad and then I
: saw why. Yes and is scared me bad for a moment. I had to call a neighbor
: to drive me to the ER, I couldn't drive. And all this could have been
: prevented if I had not let my hand cross in front of the blade at the
: exact moment I did. Just a freak accident.

: Here are the photos. I am not into morbid photos but I think this is a good
: warning to anyone using a table saw. My finger is not half cu off but it's
: pretty graphic.

: Yes, I will be back doing the same thing in a week or two. But I will pay a
: lot more attention to every cut I make!

: http://www.kudzupatch.com/temp/New_directory/mythumb1.jpg
: http://www.kudzupatch.com/temp/New_directory/mythumb2.jpg