I got a small plaque in my shop that says, "compliancy kills" it hangs right over my table saw. I have ran a table saw off and on nearly 40 some years at the time this accident happened. I had one small cut to make on a piece of 1/4" plywood. Instead of re-setting the guide I was more or less gonna free hand the last cut.
I knew better but I had done it many times before. Half way thru the pass the blade hit a hard spot and the piece now began to turn and I was cutting a half circle. The way I was standing I could not get to the kill switch, I tried. I was not about to let the board draw my hand into the saw, so I tried to turn the plywood even harder than it had already turned in an effort to jamb the blade and make the motor stop, or throw a belt.
That is when the piece of plywood exploded. A chunk came back and hit me in the chest, it left a mark 3/8" wide and about 6 " long. It hit right over my heart. Had the board turned 180* the jagged end with two or three inch spikes would have hit me in the chest!
I am still standing there after killing the saw and contemplating how damn close the was and I suddenly realize my nose is bleeding on the saw table. I reached up and I could feel something stuck in the bridge of my nose. I walked into the house and the nearest bathroom and in the mirror I see another mark that went right across my left eye and wood splinter the size of a number 2 pencil sticking out of the bridge of my nose.
Another inch one way or the other and it would have gotten one of my eyes. Not to mention if nearly got my left eye as is. I still have a scar in the bridge of my nose that reminds me every time I look in the mirror how close that was! ~ Moral of the story, is this when the little voice inside your head you shouldn't be doing this,.............. listen to it!!! You may have done it a thousand times but, all it takes is that one time for something to go wrong and you will know what I mean by "compliancy kills"!!!! You got more time than lives!!
I think I just remembered who it was that broke the belt, that wrapped around his arm. It was on anther forum if I can find the pic I will post it!!
.. Belts can break, so I protect my eyes & face ,, I grind sitting down so my sweet face is closer to the action than most of yours.. The belts usually tell us if there is a problem .. let’s all please listen to them. ———————Also I never buy old unboxed belts at a estate sale etc cause I’ve seen that the tape!/Glue on them can go South & come apart at the worst moment !!
