Greetings,
Did ya know you could use the nose of a Porter Cable nail gun to pull a nail? I had never given it a thought untill about an hour ago when I was noticing that my claw hammer was too far away. I had inadvertently had a double fire with the second nail anchoring my thumb to the top plate next to the rafter I was placing.
Walked the couple hundred yards back home from the shop and asked my wife for some alcohol and ice (had my pliers in my pocket). After convincing said wife that a trip to the hospital was unnecessary (she used to be an EMT), I dumped alcohol on the thumb and nail (12d) and pulled the darn thing out.
applied more alcohol, washed with anti-bac soap and applied Bag Balm/ gause dressing.
Now am applieing internal alcohol (beer).
Funny thing, I was just surprised that I couldn’t move my hand – didn’t hurt.
Lesson learned. Don’t think about the next step untill the task at hand (pun?) is complete.
Replies
Sorry to hear about the accident. Hope the pains subsides before the medicine runs out. You picked a heck of a way to avoid being the man at the barbeque this weekend. Feel better. Don
Those PC are notorious for excessive double firing. I had one and my best guy shot himself while toenailing one rim joist to another and it double fired. His went in his palm and straight up his finger... like a splint. Ugly one. I couldn't stomach pulling it out for him so that one required a trip to the ER.
He wouldnt let them cut his wedding band, so he pulled it off over the finger with the nail in it. My respect for him was galvanized that day.
You sound like you're doing ok... that's a good thing and I'm glad to hear it. I literally chucked that gun in the dumpster the next day. Should have done it after the first dozen near misses. You might want to consider doing the same.
I concur with your info on that PC gun; one HO I worked for on a co-op job for a few days had one of his own and insisted I use it (so he wouldn't have to pay for the nails to fit my Senco, the cheapo SOB).
After the sixth or seventh time that damned thing double-fired on me, I pulled the air hose off it and handed it back to him. Told him he had a choice: either he could pay for nails for my gun, or I would hand nail the rest of the job.
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Thanks all for wisdom and concern. This morning it's a little tender but never did hurt much. Hindsight being what it is, I wish I had remembered the dig. camera :-)
Hey Old Guy just wrap it in electrical tape and get back up there. Man you are my hero, a true inspiration. Reminds me of the carpys I grew up with who's dad's were all coal miners in Pa. Tough SOB's. On second thought keep an eye on it . Excessive red means infection. Infection means you can't bang nails. So the smart man takes care of himself. Go see a doctor. That things got to be throbbing. You would still be my hero. Have the wife buy you another 12 pack on the way home.