"MikeWhy" wrote in message
...
"Leon" wrote in message
I can see how our viewpoints can differ, given that. My thumb is the
primary hold down and pusher device. Without it, I sure wouldn't have the
control I count on for even the simplest cut. (I wonder if you're about to
tell me it was your left thumb...)

I have my share of lessons learned also, but all of them without serious
injury. Are they any less valuable for that? Most recently, I
thoughtlessly, casually reached across the front of the blade to prod a
cut-off away from the blade with a pusher stick. At least I got half of it
right; the plastic didn't bleed as a result. It was over in an instant,
leaving me puzzled for long seconds on what had happened. There was a loud
bang, the stick jerked sharply, and there was a ragged new hole behind me
in the shoji I just put up around that end of the shop. (Brilliant choice
of material, that.) The fence wasn't even on the table, so it wasn't a
kickback. The tip of the pusher got snagged by the blade, and slammed into
the insert plate hard enough to shatter. The insert bears testimony to the
saw's power. It's bent and dented now beyond salvage. Not to mention, a
contractor's saw's trunnions don't hold up well to that kind of abuse. I
had to re-align the blade to the miter slots after that.



Hummmmm , Left thumb, I had just finished cutting a dado and had turned
the saw off. I then proceeded to remove the fence, swung my left hand
directly over the top of the blade as it was coasting down. Wham! It took
me one year to finally realize what had happened when I almost did it again.
I too initially thought it was a kick back but there was no damaged wood.
Funny how your mind stops remembering when you get injured.