I posted this at JLC and didn’t realize that there are alot of people who have snow blower accidents.
I have no excuse but to say that I was shocked that the blade still had one turn left enough to break all three of my fingers and I had to have two pins put in each finger. If I would’ve known that the blades can still spin, I would not have ever done this. I will spray silicone or WD40 in the shoot next time, or use the chute cleaner my brother-in-law bought for me for Christmas after I did this as a joke.
I’ve been called just about every name in the book for how dumb I was, but these snow blower accidents apparently are very common. I just ran into a guy today tat therapy who did the same thing 9 years ago today, same hand, same fingers. Most people cut the fingers off from what I’ve been told. I guess I’m, lucky that I still have mine.
Replies
That's why crow bars were invented. Use them to poke down the chute. And then hang it from the back of the deflector handle while you work.
That's why crow bars were invented. Use them to poke down the chute. And then hang it from the back of the deflector handle while you work.
I honestly did not know that the blades would still spin as your cleaning the chute. You can use a crow bar, stick or they even have chute cleaners, but be careful how far down you push them because they can stick get caught in the blades.
Joe Carola
Are you Joe Carola or Joe Sakic?
The Av's player also did the same thing a month ago out here.
I saw that on the internet. Same fingers.
Joe Carola
+1. Still have them but not as friendly as they once were. It was just the tips, shattering the last bone in each. One fingernail is not the same.
Can't believe I did it. I grew up on a farm working with equipment, worked with tool shop equipment, all types of woodworking equipment, never an issue. Woke up from a deep sleep on the couch after a major snowstorm hit, started to clear the driveway and did something I'd never done in 45 years.
Ever since I did this, it's the same story. Never happen again. I just hope someone will listen and not let this happen. No one to blame but myself.
Joe Carola
I don't know what happened in my first post, but I attached these pictures and they aren't there.
Joe Carola
Man that looks painful! Never done that and hope I don't
I was up in a tree today. Getting ready to prune it. After i got up there for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to get down. I called the house from my cell phone but no answer.
I'll be taking a chain saw up with me soon. I just nailed some blocks in places today for climbing.
It is dangerous but i take my time.
So, are you still up there?
:-)
I figured out a way to hug the tree and shimmy down. I think it is easier going up than down.
I will be carefull. But I am up in a tree with a chainsaw. It is what it is.
There's no way around that.
That sounds like the kind of job where I like to have someone else around... just in case.
You might also want to try and figure out a way to tie yourself off in case you lose your balance. I don't suppose you have a safety harness?
What's a safety harness?
I'll be fine. Like I said, I take my time.
I might have someone around though. Good idea.
It's a lovely large tree and i want to take care of it.
The tree is in the back yard and needs trimming.
It is getting to big for it's own britches.
I've always trimmed my own trees.
I took the file to the saw tonight. I don't know if I did any good though.
The teeth are so hard the file just doesn't really touch them. I might have it sharpened come Monday.
Edited 1/10/2009 9:59 pm ET by popawheelie
What's a safety harness?
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=114802.85
Before you go up there again, read thread #114802, “Ever fall in a safety harness?”Also, thread #114909, “Job deaths and near misses”.Not tryin’ to bring you down, just wantin’ to get you down safely.Take care.Aitchkay
Wheelie,
If your file isn't cutting the saw teeth it is time for a new file.Karl
The file is fine. The teeth on theis chain are an alloy of some sort that are hard and the file just buonces off them some times. If I get the angle right it cuts about half the time.
I could just use my dremel but I like using the file. Maybe if I put a hadle on it. ;^)
If it doesn't cut this next time out I'll buy a new chain or have this one sharpened at the shop. And pick up a file handle.
Edited 1/12/2009 10:27 am ET by popawheelie
Last year I did bunch of tree work at my house. I've spent a lot of time on roofs, actually enjoy heights, plenty of experience chainsawing (started before I was 10), and used a safety harness. I took my time. Still had two close calls, where a limb took a funny fall. Both time the saw jumped in a way that the guard would not have stopped the chain. Only luck kept me from having a new scar on my face, or worse.
Short story is, if you can't think ahead far enough to know how you'll get down, you should REALLY be working with a safety harness AND a helper. Just a suggestion.
Chain saws are scary. My father-in-law was up a tree 30 years ago and a branch broke and........well almost lost his hand. Careful! We have to respect them because they don't respect us when they cut us.
Joe Carola
Well, I'm going to hi-jack this thread. Your comment about the cell phone reminded me about the time I had a Harley '45 on the back patio, laid down beside it to reach under it for the tie-off for the cover and turned it over on top of me. Luckily I wasn't hurt but I couldn't get out from under it. My oldest daughter was visiting my wife and I at the time. They, with some neighbors were in our front yard talking so I pulled my cell out, called my daughter and asked her to come help me. When my wife walked out the door all she saw was my feet sticking out from under the cover and the bike and freaked out. (we never knew how handy cell phones would be, did we?)
They are handy. If people answer them!
The fact that they are still there, (the fingers), indicates that you are one of the chosen people. Hope those pins are stainless.
The fact that they are still there, (the fingers), indicates that you are one of the chosen people. Hope those pins are stainless.
That's how I'm looking at it and not complaining because I was lucky compared to a lot of other people. I was at my sister-in-laws 40th b-day party last night talking to a cop and he said that he got a call about a snow blower accident. He arrived at the seen and it was his friend who is a landscaper who uses snow blowers his whole life. Sure enough he did the same thing I did and when he pulled his hand out like I did, he ripped all the skin off the three fingers.
Pulling my hand out was my first reaction also, along with all the m-effin..
Joe Carola
OUCH!Every car, truck and tractor in America should run on natural gas- it's the future.
Triple ouch!Joe Carola
Cute finger puppets!S'pose they'd like to met a new friend?Aitchkay
Cute finger puppets!
S'pose they'd like to met a new friend?
Here are my puppets.
Joe Carola
Now just pierce your nose and tongue and you will be right in fashion.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
Thanks, Steve.
Joe Carola
that hurts to look at. Pins are better than stubs.
Pins are better than stubs
You got that right.
Joe Carola
Ouch Joe, that looks really painful. Did they at least give you some good pain meds?
I bought my first snowblower a couple months ago, and it came with a clip-on chute cleaner like Dan mentioned. I'll be sure to use it. DW raves about accupuncture but the kind you got doesn't look like fun.
Ouch Joe, that looks really painful. Did they at least give you some good pain meds?
Yes, Percesets. I don't like them. I didn't take anything until about 5 hours after it happened. It hurt, but for some reason not as much as everyone was telling they thought it hurt. The doctor, x-ray technician, wife and friends kept telling me to take something and I wouldn't.
The hand DR said to take extra strength Tylenol if I didn't' want to take the Percs. The Percs made my stomach hurt, so I stopped taking them.
I bought my first snowblower a couple months ago, and it came with a clip-on chute cleaner like Dan mentioned. I'll be sure to use it. DW raves about accupuncture but the kind you got doesn't look like fun.
I would still shut the blower off because once you bust through the snow in the chute, your cleaner can still hit the spinning blades. last night at a party a few people thought it was acupuncture. When I showed them close up what it really was, some said it was gross.
Joe Carola
with every one of my finger damages, it didn't really start hurting bad for several hours.but I know now as a matter of course, that when I get something like that, the throbbing will keep me awake all night the first night. propping that hand above my head helps with that kind of throbbing pain to let me sleep.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
propping that hand above my head helps with that kind of throbbing pain to let me sleep.
That's what also helps with the swelling.
Joe Carola
Try and be easy on yourself. When I mangled my finger, I found on top of the pain there was a fair amount of shock I wasn't aware of - night sweats and weakness. Really glad it wasn't worse. All the best with your recovery.
My wife tells me I'm always moving and mumbling in my sleep. I just hope I don't wind up hitting her in the head with the pins, or hit her in the eyes and bend the pins. Even though her eyes are shut, it would probably hurt.
Joe Carola
I've still got my pins somewhere. I should try them in acq lumber and see how they do.
The last time I was at the Dr's office there was a guy there who had pins pulled out of his wrist. He saved one of them. Check this out on "You Tube". Did they numb you to pull the pins out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjuw_1n4mkU
Joe Carola
"Did they numb you to pull the pins out?"You know I can't remember, but I didn't feel anything - and that's not because I'm a tough guy about those sorts of things, I'm a wimp. I was shocked when they removed the bandages to take the pins out at how awful my finger looked, but during the next week it completely peeled and underneath was a new not bad looking finger.
I was shocked when they removed the bandages to take the pins out at how awful my finger looked, but during the next week it completely peeled and underneath was a new not bad looking finger.
Wow, yours were covered the whole time. Did you get itchy? I just got done exercising them and that hurts like a SOB, but gotta listen to what the Doc says so I can use them quicker.
Joe Carola
Joe, Oh, man...sorry it happened, bu man o man, I'm happy that you didn't lose them.
Oh, man...sorry it happened, bu man o man, I'm happy that you didn't lose them.
Thanks, I'm glad I didn't loose them either.
Joe Carola
"I just got done exercising them and that hurts like a SOB, but gotta listen to what the Doc says "Darn right!
Back in '71 or '72, I burned all the skin of my right index finger with hot asphalt roofing. After they debrided it, I had a finger that was all muscle and bone. Only skin left was where it had been touching the middle finger and that was half gone too.twicec a day, I had to soak it in lukewarm epson salts water, and excercise it while submerged or the new skin would have tightened up so bad I'd never be able to bend it.I could look right thru the new skin like Saran wrap that first week to see all the inner parts moving, and it felt like tearing the hide right off each time I flexed it.But today, I never give it a thought unless I am looking at the scar or talking about it like this.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
"I just got done exercising them and that hurts like a SOB, but gotta listen to what the Doc says "
Darn right!Back in '71 or '72, I burned all the skin of my right index finger with hot asphalt roofing.
After they debrided it, I had a finger that was all muscle and bone. Only skin left was where it had been touching the middle finger and that was half gone too.
twicec a day, I had to soak it in lukewarm epson salts water, and excercise it while submerged or the new skin would have tightened up so bad I'd never be able to bend it.
I could look right thru the new skin like Saran wrap that first week to see all the inner parts moving, and it felt like tearing the hide right off each time I flexed it.
But today, I never give it a thought unless I am looking at the scar or talking about it like this.
Did they put you on antibiotics as soon as you got into the hospital back then? I'm listening and doing everything the therapist says. Today had to be the worst of all so far. The fingers are still swollen and she's trying to break it down so that I can bend the joints to 90°.
She's putting my hand in a rectangular shaped machine that has corn husk in it and is heated. It also blows around lie a Tornado. It feels good and gets the fingers ready for her to beat the sh!t out of them. I think Wednesday I'm going to take 20 percosets before I go.
Joe Carola
Hey, Joe
don't let them lie to you. They say PT means physical therapy.
It really means Pain & Torture
don't let them lie to you. They say PT means physical therapy.
It really means Pain & Torture
That's what it felt like today. I'm not complaining though. I know it's helping.
Joe Carola
I never did have any antibiotics for that back then I was young, healthy, and never got any kind of infection. They did warn me to watch for signs of it tho.I was on Darvon through it. Stared on something like a 10mg dose and was up to 250 by time they decided to wean me off. I went cold turkey and had some withdrawal for 2-3 days.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I didn't like the way the percosets made me feel. They hurt my stomach. I switched when needed to Extra Strength Tylenol.
Joe Carola
The pins in my arm and hand always poked me in the forehead at night - I normally sleep on my back, with my left arm back on my pillow. Finally put some of the kids' little finger puppets on the pins.
Forrest
I
I'll go to sleep with my arm on a pillow and sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with my forearm on my forehead. Did they numb your hand and arm to pull the pins?
Joe Carola
Actually I was under - they had to cut open my wrist in a long slot to check and clean up the ulnar nerve - it wasn't cut, was just constricted from scar tissue and bits of bone and wouldn't work. Got like 20 sutures just for that part!
Forrest
Actually I was under - they had to cut open my wrist in a long slot to check and clean up the ulnar nerve - it wasn't cut, was just constricted from scar tissue and bits of bone and wouldn't work. Got like 20 sutures just for that part!
Were the pins in your arm long? My friend had a motorcycle accident years ago and had a 7" pin for his wrist for 9 months.
Joe Carola
Mine were ~3"; sort of four mounting pins for an cool titanium external beam that went from my lower arm to my hand to hold it all in correct orientation, and then one of the drilled-in internal ones with the little plastic cap on the end, through the joint.
Great conversation starter!
Forrest
You were like robo-engineer. "I'll be back" and all that. Scare the kids with it.
Edited 1/12/2009 10:19 am ET by popawheelie
Mine were ~3"; sort of four mounting pins for an cool titanium external beam that went from my lower arm to my hand to hold it all in correct orientation, and then one of the drilled-in internal ones with the little plastic cap on the end, through the joint.
Sounds like they were rebuilding you into the 6 million dollar Bionic Man.
Great conversation starter!
This is true. I went to a party Saturday and everyone who came up to me was saying hello and what the hell happened.
Joe Carola
Sorry to hear it, Joe.Best wishes on a full recovery.Joe (formerly Hasbeen)
Sorry to hear it, Joe.
Best wishes on a full recovery.
Joe (formerly Hasbeen)
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Joe Carola
aaaaaahhhhhhhh .... that hurts like hell .... even sitting where I am. Oh my god!!!!!!
I can hardly stand it. But the part about ole' pineapple head had me in stiches ... are you an entertainer???
Thanks for sharing your demise ... even at the risk of looking stooopid. I'm serious, this stuff is a good reminder to us who do approach things like this w/ the Tim Taylor attitude that ... instructions ... where we are going ... we don need no stinkin' instructions or safety or none of that BS.
But the part about ole' pineapple head had me in stiches ... are you an entertainer???
Not rteally. I will admit when I do something stupid and make fun of myself. I've called myself worse.
I picked my son up at school yesterday and one of the girls in his class told me that her grandfather just did the same thing to his fingers as I did the other day with a snow blower. She didn't have much detail about it. I was in the parking lot and ran into her father and asked him what happened.
He told me his father was using the snow blower in the back of the house and he was shoveling in the front of the house. He hears the SB make a weird noise and his father started screaming and cursing in Italian.
His father stuck his hand in the chute to clean it and it caught the same three fingers as mine. He broke the index finger and had pins put in and had about forty stitches in the middle and ring finger.
The screwed up part about that is I saw this guy a couple weeks ago and told him exactly what I did and told him if he used an SB or new anyone else who uses one to never stick their hand down there because that impeller blade can still spin.
His father is 70 and will have to go through therapy like I am and keep exercising his fingers. It might be more painful for him because of his age.
Joe Carola
I've learned your lesson, if that helps. I had never really thought about the possibility of that type of accident, but now know it.
Actually should have learned 35 years ago, when I cleaned out the grass chute on a running lawn mower...
Actually should have learned 35 years ago, when I cleaned out the grass chute on a running lawn mower...
How bad was it?
Joe Carola
I was actually lucky. It bled pretty good, but the blade caught the bone just a little. I have a decent lump between the last knuckle and the nail bed, and the nail always grows with a little split at the back.
There went my days as a hand model... Oh well.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I was actually lucky. It bled pretty good, but the blade caught the bone just a little. I have a decent lump between the last knuckle and the nail bed, and the nail always grows with a little split at the back.
There went my days as a hand model... Oh well.
When I almost cut my thumb off, the nail was cut and it grew back in lumpy for awhile. I always joked about being a hand model because my hands are like sand paper.
Joe Carola
It's fabulous that you didn't lose 'em, dude!
Aitchkay
It's fabulous that you didn't lose 'em, dude!
This is true. That's the way I've been looking at it. From what I've heard a lot of people did.
Joe Carola
Man that's rough for a framer, Joe. Must be hard wrestling with little Joey right about now - or even trying to type. How long do you figure on being out of commision?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Man that's rough for a framer, Joe. Must be hard wrestling with little Joey right about now - or even trying to type.
It is hard to wrestle with him because I can't roll. I just let him work technique with me applying certain moves. I bought him a wrestling dummy last year for him to throw and practice double legs, fireman's carry......etc.
For his weight, 63ibs, the 33lb dummy is perfect for him. It's the same height as him. 33lbs doesn't sound like a lot of weight, but it's dead weight and heavy. He loves it. It's the first one on the right side.
http://www.suples.com/dummy.htm
How long do you figure on being out of commision?
Therapist said it was up to me and if I exercise them 4x a day and go to her twice a week.
Joe Carola
Oops. I thought "wrestling with little Joey" meant something completely different...
Glad you didn't lose 'em.
Ya mean like, " Buffing the Bishop?"AitchKay
All I'm gonna say is...oops.
Oops. I thought "wrestling with little Joey" meant something completely different...
Before this, wrestling with him and him throwing punches with his little MMA gloves on, I bought a headgear because he's hurts when he punches. It does suck though that I can't role with him because it really helps him.
Glad you didn't lose 'em.
Thanks. So am I.
Joe Carola
"I thought "wrestling with little Joey" meant something completely different..."ROTFLMAOYou never know when you're gonna be caught in a double ententre here - even when you don't mean to!I've had enough conversations with joe here and private emails to know he and his son practically worship each other and spend time a lot on things like wrestling.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I've had enough conversations with joe here and private emails to know he and his son practically worship each other and spend time a lot on things like wrestling.
This is true. Here's Joey Friday night on the bottom.
Joe Carola
at least you didn't try to lift the deck of a tractor mower deck while it was running. .........I still have all my fingers too but the nails grow kinda funny
my blower stops the blade and the wheels if I let go of BOTH the handle bars
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at least you didn't try to lift the deck of a tractor mower deck while it was running. .........I still have all my fingers too but the nails grow kinda funny
That's a scary thought.
my blower stops the blade and the wheels if I let go of BOTH the handle bars
The day after this happened I started up the blower with my brother-in-law and the blades spun for tops 3 seconds. It was a lot longer than 3 seconds by the time my hand went into the blades. Therefore there must be a few turns left after cleaning.
Joe Carola
oh yeah mangled them pretty good that day it happened when we had a total solar eclipse about 15 years ago maybe that had something to do with it.I had to replace the friction disc that drives the thing and it dis-engages when those "deadman " handles are up maybe it's just this brand but I have never had anything stick in the chute
some branches in the impeller once in a while but the snow and ice comes out of that chute with a lot of force I have shot stuff across the road in fact and that's about 30' we're both lucky, dumb at times but lucky huh?.
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Did you have pins like I do? If so, how long before you recovered?
Joe Carola
no fortunately I managed to just slice the ring finger to the bone and the middle one got caught on the side it's normal looking. I have two nails growing on my ring finger and the tip of it is very sensitive to temperature the blades were very dull but the really stupid thing ....... I almost did it again !!never owned a crafstman since.
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no fortunately I managed to just slice the ring finger to the bone and the middle one got caught on the side it's normal looking. I have two nails growing on my ring finger and the tip of it is very sensitive to temperature
I can't bend the fingers tips do to the pins. Once they come out I'll start. That should be interesting.
the blades were very dull but the really stupid thing ....... I almost did it again !!
Did you really?
Joe Carola
I haven't looked at your pictures, too squeamish for pictures, although I don't have any problem helping someone who gets messed up on the job ! go figurebut yeah I actually got off the tractor a second time after the stitches came out and had to stop myself. To this day I have no idea why I was going to do it again.
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but yeah I actually got off the tractor a second time after the stitches came out
and had to stop myself. To this day I have no idea why I was going to do it again
Probably just force of habit. When I was 19, I almost cut off my thumb. There isn't a day that goes by for some reason when I turn my saw on that I don't think about it. I don't know what it is but, 25 years later it seems like yesterday. This will never happen again with the s-blower.
Joe Carola
If the chute is plugged hard enough & deep enough, it doesn't matter whether the clutches are disengaged or the motor shut off. The 2nd stage impeller is bound up because of the blockage & under strain. Removing the packed-in snow allows the impeller to suddenly spring free & rotate, grabbing fingers, hands or sticks.
I had mine apart last year to change a friction disc and I don't see how that can happen on mine but I've wrong once or twice.
or I've been fortunate that mine hasn't jammed that bad as I can't recall ever having a plugged chute, maybe I go too slow or just don't have enough testosterone to highball through it
come to think of it most of what we get is lake effect stuff which most times is kinda fluffy, the wet junk I don't even bother with most of the time, it's not that I haven't, it's just not worth the effort. but the next few days are gonna be nasty around here and I hope the NWS is wrong lake effect snow for a couple days with a blizzard watch to boot.
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Same deal as farmer's losing fingers, hands & even arms trying to unplug a hay baler with tractor stopped & PTO that drives the baler out of gear. The whole gear train in the baler is bound up & when the blockage is being removed the drive train "relaxes" & grabs whatever is available. Saw it happen again last summer while helping my wife's uncle. Luckily only a couple of fingers got jammed & not removed.
this discussion reminds of something I tell my wife all the time, and that is that while we are more conscientious at our regular jobs we all get a little brave and cocky around the house we tend to think that the stuff we "own" as benign and so we all take chances at one time or another, we're all guilty....... farmers, electricians, carpenters, engineers secretaries, drivers, pilots, roofers, painters or even a Jarhead
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Waitresses, circus midgets, paper boys, surfers...
butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, hot nannies.
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I notice many newer blowers are coming with a clip-on chute clearer gizmo, probably for liability reasons. I never stick my hand near the operating gizmos on my blower unless the engine is stopped, because the belt drive can always "catch" a bit and move the mechanism, and when least expected.
I notice many newer blowers are coming with a clip-on chute clearer gizmo, probably for liability reasons.
A lot of people have told me this. Mine didn't come with one. I went to Sears yesterday to se if they did and there were no blowers left.
I never stick my hand near the operating gizmos on my blower unless the engine is stopped,
Your the smart one compared to me. I was talking to someone the other day and he told me that his father taught him to pull the spark plug wire off when cleaning the chute.
http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/accessories/clean_out_tools.php
Joe Carola
Ouch! Why?????????????????????????????
You could use PAM food spray, too. I use it on my satellite dishes for snow.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Ouch! Why?????????????????????????????
Because I'm a pineapple. I used the Spray Nine stuff on the shovel last night and it work well.
Joe Carola
Hey Joe, sorry to hear about your accident, how you doing for work, if you need someone to keep things going, let me know, I could help out for a few days.
Rich
Thanks Rich. I let you know.
Joe Carola
Joe,Sorry to hear and see about your fingers. Hope you are back to normal soon.http://www.josephfusco.org
http://www.constructionforumsonline.com
Aw man, get well soon... I'm glad to be in da south.http://www.tvwsolar.com
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out.
A pretty dancing girl was there,
And she began to shout,
"Go on back to see the gypsy.
He can move you from the rear,
Drive you from your fear,
Bring you through the mirror.
He did it in Las Vegas,
And he can do it here."
Thanks man, your lucky.
Joe Carola
Sorry to hear and see about your fingers. Hope you are back to normal soon.
Thanks Joe. I'l be back to being my Goon self again. All my friends want to kick my a$$ now that I only have one hand.
Joe Carola
Make doubly sure no other body parts dangle in the chute.
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
Make doubly sure no other body parts dangle in the chute.
Nothing long enough to reach.
Joe Carola
Its hard but feel very fortunate unstead of being mad at your self . Thats close to a fingerless framer.
Tim
Its hard but feel very fortunate unstead of being mad at your self . Thats close to a fingerless framer.
Just met a guy today who cut off a piece of his finger on his left hand and then 10 years later did it again on his right hand.
Joe Carola
Hey Joe, bummer about the fingers. But on the bright side...you are NOT a pineapple head..I know one worse.
He was working in a cab shop and knew a machinist that lost a finger and was paid by ins. something like 5K per joint..2 joints. 10K.
Pineapple head decides HE needs some $$$ and maybe doesn't REALLY need that pinky tip. He was using a jointer and figured it'd maybe "Nip" off the pinky tip..it DID! It worked!
And it sucked his hand in and took the next two fingers off at the base of the hand..like a sausage grinder, NOTHING To sew back..uh, yeah..he got $$ but just workers comp, he didn't have the same ins. as his buddy in the machine shop.
He proudly admits this stupidity every time he gets half a load on...words can't describe that type of mentality.
So...ya feel better know? At least you honestly FU'ed..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
I don't know if I mentioned this or not but, when I was in the wating in the ER the DR told me a tree guy came in. This tree guy decided to push part of the tree through the chipper with his right foot. Now he has no leg. He said that guy guy was awake when he came into the emergency room. I know what I did and what you just said was stupid, but this guy using his foot against a chipper...............
Joe Carola
It's true, brains ARE optional.
Don't get me wrong, I have my share of stupid human tricks, but so far, everything is still attached, and never sewn back on.
I might hit ya up for a drawing soon..I'll email ya if that's OK, I like your quick and dirty sketches..and I am just now getting into sketchup, but it's far from being classy looking.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
It's true, brains ARE optional.
Don't get me wrong, I have my share of stupid human tricks, but so far, everything is still attached, and never sewn back on.
Keep it that way please.
I might hit ya up for a drawing soon..I'll email ya if that's OK, I like your quick and dirty sketches..and I am just now getting into sketchup, but it's far from being classy looking.
No problem. Hope I can help.
Joe Carola
My father-in-law has a monster snow blower.
He's also stubborn AND suffers from the Old Timers disease.
He's pissed that I won't load the snow blower up in my truck and take it for service. He stored it without any stabil or draining of the tank and it won't start.
But? I don't think he would do too good at 83 with the old timers and those pins in his fingers, or worse yet no fingers.
He's pissed that I won't load the snow blower up in my truck and take it for service. He stored it without any stabil or draining of the tank and it won't start.
But? I don't think he would do too good at 83 with the old timers and those pins in his fingers, or worse yet no fingers.
Let him stay pissed. Imagine how pissed he'd be and your wife if you did fix it and something happened.
Joe Carola
The snow blower service shop here comes and picks them up and returns them.
The snow blower service shop here comes and picks them up and returns them.
We got that covered. His speech is to bad now to talk on the phone.
He's pissed we won't "Make Time" to take it in. I'm pissed that I have to go shovel or pay someone to plow................................but if it was fixed he would be out there at the first flake. He's already hurt himself doing things he used to do without a problem.
I can't imagine my monster in law dealing with him shoving his hand in the blades.
It's tough dealing with the old Big Dog that is now tied up.
Worst part is that my mother-in-law has no understandig of or tolerance for what is going on.
Seems like she just views him as a burden. She has planty of cash, well into 7 numbers before the decimal. But she doesn't want to pay for help caring for him and putting him even in an assited living home would kill him.
Obvious to all that she's just waiting for him to kick off so she is free of the burden.
One of those little French maids (and their short skirts) coming by and fixing his oatmeal every morning could help...
Seriously, sounds like it's time to call in the household assistance people.
I just had to move my momma in with me to be sure she's getting the right care.
My wife and i just had that very talk on the phone.
M-I-L is so damned cheap it's gonna end up costing us instead, but it has to be done.
One giant conspiracy to make sure I Never own a Corvette or 911
I'm luckier than a pig in sh!d that my wife supports this move of her MIL into the house. While her mother is going thru chemo.
Fix his oatmeal and maybe grind his corn, too!Aitchkay
Maybe it's time to call the elder abuse hotline on your MIL?
Hey Joe,
Sorry to have to read this thread. But at least you still have them.
I was doing the same thing on my little snow blower a few weeks ago. When I told my wife about your accident and how I was doing that, she nearly killed me.
I guess you'll only be waving one hand around while you talk for a few weeks, huh?
If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.
Let me know if you are going to the fest that Shep is planning. If it works out I could give you a ride down if you like.
Good luck. Get well.
Sorry to have to read this thread. But at least you still have them.
I was doing the same thing on my little snow blower a few weeks ago. When I told my wife about your accident and how I was doing that, she nearly killed me.
Show her the pictures.
I guess you'll only be waving one hand around while you talk for a few weeks, huh?
I'm still waving both even with the splint on.
If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.
I'll do that. Next time I see you, you can smack me in the head for doing this in the first place.
Let me know if you are going to the fest that Shep is planning. If it works out I could give you a ride down if you like.
I'll try and make this one.
Joe Carola
I showed her the pictures. that might be why she hit me.If I smack you in the head, that means I have to bend down.Glenn
If I smack you in the head, that means I have to bend down.
No it doesn't, I'll have my step ladder with me..............;-)
Joe Carola
Hey, Glenn-
do you think Carola waving an injured hand around should be considered a speach impediment?
Bob,I am literally laughing my a$$ off. My son is downstairs doing his homework thinking something is wrong.Priceless.Especially picturing Joe waving it around.Glenn
Glenn-
some don't always appreciate my somewhat distorted sense of humor.
glad you do.
some don't always appreciate my somewhat distorted sense of humor.
glad you do
We all have to have a good sense of humor. I make fun of myself all the time..
Joe Carola
Plus laughing (and talking) at yourself during the day tends to keep the customers away.
Hope your healing is going well.
Hope your healing is going well.
It's going all right. I'm getting a little frustrated with the swelling and pain. The middle finger is about 80°. Not being able to make a fist is annoying, but I realize that it will take time.
Joe Carola
"The middle finger is about 80°. Not being able to make a fist is annoying" You are doing well. I didn't get any movement back in my first knuckle. When I make a fist that one finger just sticks out straight. Anything small like a handful of washers or nuts just trickles out through the gap.
LOL!
I've got "trigger-finger" on my left middle finger from an old break. When I cup my left hand, and put a lot of small stuff in it (screws or whatever); when I open my hand the finger "snaps" straight and shoots #### everywhere.
Forrest
You are doing well. I didn't get any movement back in my first knuckle. When I make a fist that one finger just sticks out straight. Anything small like a handful of washers or nuts just trickles out through the gap.
The swelling in the middle finger is still the worst, maybe because that was the one that was cut. For me the frustrating part is that I've always had a very strong grip. My friends and people who I wrestle and trained with say that I have a vice grip. I've been squeezing grips since I was a little kid. Maybe that helped as far as how much damage I had to my fingers, who knows.
I can't imagine not being able to have full strength back in my fingers and grip. I'm trying as hard as I can to exercise and keep up with the therapist. I will sit in the parking lot at Dunkin Donuts to exercise my fingers when it is time. I don't care where I'm at. Hopefully it works.
I was at a wrestling tournament on Sunday and I sat at the end of the bleachers and took off the splint and started exercising my fingers. All of a sudden I get hit with a baby carriage this little boy about 2 pushed and it hit my fingers. I must have turned red and made a stupid face and the mother apologized. I told her it was no problem at all and it didn't hurt and her son didn't mean it and he was so cute and looks like a little wrestler. She said that it sure looked like it hurt with the expression on my face. I started laughing.
Joe Carola
I once rolled with Marcus Soares a BJJ black belt under Carlson Gracie. He had an unbreakable grip. Once he got a hold of you that was it. Wrestling someone like that really is no fun. You know they are just toying with you.I'd lay money you get your grip strength back.
Yeow!!
I'm a bit late reading this thread. I hope you're doing OK.
Should I tell Patty you've been injured? Maybe she'll kiss it to make it better <G>
You gonna make this year's LunchFest? You'll have something to show.
I'm a bit late reading this thread. I hope you're doing OK.
Should I tell Patty you've been injured? Maybe she'll kiss it to make it better <G>
You gonna make this year's LunchFest? You'll have something to show.
I'm doing alright now. Tell Patty, maybe I'll get some sympathy from her, ain't getting any from my wifeypoo.
Joe Carola
Well, I told Patty, and showed her and the other salesfolk there where to see the pics of your fingers.
Patty said "eeuuu", but also said that was kind of dumb, when I explained how it happened. So you're not gonna get much more sympathy from her, than you did from your wife. LOL
Oh, and John L wouldn't even look at the pics. What a wuss.
I'll have to call Patty and try to get some. I'll tell her the blades spun the other way and sucked my hand in.
Joe Carola
I just had the pins taken out yesterday. Dr yanked them out with pliers. That didn't hurt as mush as the holes in the fingers where the pins were. They still feel like their on fire for some reason, but they were bleeding a little and it feels like the pressure is gone. Now I can squeeze a foam ball and then work my way to a tennis ball in two weeks.
I ran into a contractor at the lumberyard today and he told me that his friend shut his blower OFF for 10 minutes. He then went in from the front and was cleaning where the impeller blades were and BANG!! they spun and cut the ends of all three fingers off. The same ones as mine. All three are gone about 3/4".
This was a first that I heard that these things can spin when the machine is OFF.
Joe Carola
Ah the one turn left in the machine. It seems counter intuitive but when the machine is jammed, it is jammed with torque left in the drive mechanism. Then when you clean it and it releases, the torque drives the impeller etc that last little bit. I'm an orthopaedic surgoen and I see it every winter - from fingers in a small unit to an arm in tractor units - to an arm pulled off ath the shoulder.
So , the crowbar or a broom handle is a great tool - spares the fingers
I'm an orthopaedic surgoen and I see it every winter - from fingers in a small unit to an arm in tractor units - to an arm pulled off ath the shoulder.
I think I posted it here, but I was told that the ER had a tree guy come in who used his foot to push a branch through the chipper. He cut his whole leg off and was awake when they brought him in.
Joe Carola
yes, it's easy to forget how much power is in some of these machines. A machine that can chip a 3 inch branch and won't even cough won't even see a leg or a forearm. A company had a chipper on our property that would chip trees with butts up to about 10" (softwood). They treated that machine with incredible respect. I wouldn't even go near it. Scared the **** out of me.
I don't know why people don't respect machinery more.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I don't know why people don't respect machinery more.
This is true. I respected my saw after almost cutting off my finger when I was 19. This things do not respect our body parts when they cut them, this is why we should respect them. I respect my snow blower now.
Joe Carola
We made those machines ... they should respect us!!! ;)
We give them life and then they expect respect. Go figure.
But you got that right. We have a tendency to be so irrational. Turn brain off work on rotating machinery ... I've been lucky ... knock on wood (my head is handy).
Well ... you got your wish, Joe.
98 new postings yesterday to this!!!!! One way or another the message is there. I think we're all feeling your pain, dude. BTW my head is wood ... at least your's has some soft substance. I think mine is balsa wood!