Don"t use hands when grinding

Hey folks,
Its been a while since I've posted, but I have been reading regularly.

Here's another safety warning for ya...

Hold pieces you're grinding on with long pliers, a vice, clamps, or something.

I checked this piece to see if it was aluminum/stainless. Ill just tap it with the grinder while I hold it in my hand. The grinder caught and the GUARD hit my thumb and cut it, thankfully it wasn't the blade. It was a small cut and will heal soon.

Don't get complacent, take your time, and don't hold stuff with your hands while grinding, even for just a little test grind.

Stay safe!!
Jesse
Urban Mining Recyclers

Thanks for the heads up and warning. My shop teacher in high school is rolling in his grave because of the dumb stuff that is repeated everyday in my world. By the way he was missing three fingers on his right hand from his mistake. Great example, just wish I could learn from others mistakes. Life would be so much easier.

been there done that

I find using a grinder works better when grinding.:)

Just kidding man. I've probably cut or smashed every finger I have but not with a grinder or any kind of power saw and I hope I never do. The times I did get hurt I was either in a hurry or very tired. The last injury was my thumb and it cost me 175 dollars.
Be safe and I hope the thumb heals quickly.

I like to step on the piece I'm going to grind/cut while it's propped up on a block of some sort. Most of the things I go at with the grinder are being cut down or dismantled in some way so putting it in a vice/clamp won't work. I would advise being careful if using tongs/pliers as the piece can slip out very easily with the force of the grinder working on it.

Voice of experience, (and stupidity), let me count the scars. I was very lucky on several occasions. i've survived all my stupid mistakes. I did it all my way, but if you want to live to 90 and not feel like 90 at 70 don't do as I did but as I say.

Do as i say....not as i do :-/

I love those deep grinder cuts, they're usually very deep and if they don;t cauterize right away you can watch the blood flow into the wound, while your waiting for the pain to connect with your brain.

Of course I'm only joking care and caution should always be used with power tools, they have no conscience.

I have done that twice and still haven't learned. I would hold the electric motor in my left hand and then the cuting wheel would grab the copper, slip, and go right into my hand. Not once but twice. I remeber getting *****ed at the yard dripping blood walking in the door. WTF u doing they asked. I need to get paid, so I can go to the hospital. need it for gas money. LOL. They calmed down and helped unload the truck. I did it more than twice and still catch myself doing it here and there.

Been hurt a lot over the years. Grinders,sawzalls, circular saws, table saws, impact gun, DRILLS. It's anything where the piece that you're working can move because it hasn't been fastened down somehow.Other times, the piece will stay in place and the tool you're using will jump back and bite you. You gotta be thinking all the time.

The last time i messed up the table saw and my thumb had a disagreement. Took about eight months to heal up and that's a real problem when you're working with your hands every day.

<sigh> It's like my dad used to say:

Look kid .... if you're gonna be dumb you better be tough !

( Experience is a harsh teacher sometimes. )

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ozzy214

I have done that twice and still haven't learned. I would hold the electric motor in my left hand and then the cuting wheel would grab the copper, slip, and go right into my hand. Not once but twice. I remeber getting *****ed at the yard dripping blood walking in the door. WTF u doing they asked. I need to get paid, so I can go to the hospital. need it for gas money. LOL. They calmed down and helped unload the truck. I did it more than twice and still catch myself doing it here and there.

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Just remember that there is always another piece of copper but not another finger or thumb.

i also keep some saftey googles in both my angle grinder bag and my sawzall box
'

A good pair of work gloves will help too. If a 4" grinder does slip there's a pretty good chance it's not going to hurt you. They cost a little bit more, but i like the goat skin driver's gloves because they fit the hand so well.

Haven't tried the Kevlar gloves yet but it's a good bet that they would stand up to an angry beaver ?

Carpenter by trade and the first rule is...be able to count to 10 at the end of the day.

20 some years ago I nailed my knee together with a 16 penny nail gun. Doc tried all his fancy tools to get it out and ended up calling down to maintenance for vice grips.