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Paul Kierstead
 
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Default Zero clearance insert fights back.

Sigh, I hate it when the safety devices fight back. I had a nice shop
made zero clearance insert on my table saw with a splitter. It is
carefully leveled with set screws and a reasonably tight fit.

Apparently not tight enough. I rose the blade up fairly high (close to
the max for the insert with my blade truing disk), and started the saw.
Now my saw gives a pretty good jolt when it fires up. I watched in slow
motion as the insert lept up, caught the blade and fired forward in a
blur.

Unfortunately I was in the path of the insert. It caught me in the
groin; luckily right in the musle where leg joins the groin. It is gonna
be a helluva bruise and makes getting around somewhat painful. Very
luckily I missed the "important parts". SWMBO get real nervous now when
I use the TS. She is worried about the good bits. If I got hit in the
head she wouldn't have cared

Lessons learned:
- Add a set screw the back to ensure the insert is a very tight fit
- Stay out of the path of the insert when starting the saw. This is
actually odd that I would be there; I am a right and the switch is on
the left. For some reason I started it with my left hand anyway.

I am happy to be essentially unhurt (little pain never hurt anyone), but
perhaps this could be cautionary for someone else.