02-24-2020, 10:03 AM
The summary is that a 3 1/4" raised panel router bit took off the tip of my right middle finger on Friday. I consider myself very fortunate that it's just a large spinning knife, as an edge profile probably would have made hamburger meat. As it is, it's more similar to a kitchen injury (my mother happened to be visiting and mentioned that her friend did something almost identical on Wednesday with a mandolin slicer).
I do not really know how it happened. I was not tired or rushing. I was not making a cut at the time. I *believe* I was reaching for the work on the table, which was not near the bit. It's possible that it slid forward slightly. I wish I knew exactly what happened so as to prevent anything in the future, but as it is I will simply have to learn from it and be considerably more careful. I like to think I'm safe in the shop, but it's apparent that using power tools as much as we do things can happen. All I know is I grazed the tip of the bit and felt pressure as the router slowed slightly, at which point my brain quickly processed that I may have touched the bit. Sure enough, I looked down, and yes, I did.
Four hours later after lots of cleaning, silver nitrate (very painful, didn't stop the bleeding), and cauterization (very painful, mostly stopped the bleeding), and a tight pressure bandage I was sent on my way. It was still bleeding after 24 hours when I changed the dressing and oozing the next morning, It wasn't until last night that it actually stopped. Fortunately, the good blood supply of finger tips lets them grow back either completely or almost completely. Right now, it's swollen and uncomfortable, but I made it through without any narcotics. I have a follow-up today to make sure the swelling is normal and not related to infection, as that would be the only major risk going forward. I'll probably ask for antibiotics regardless.
Just be safe. It could have been much, much, much worse.
I do have a picture from the initial urgent care visit. It's not all that graphic.
I do not really know how it happened. I was not tired or rushing. I was not making a cut at the time. I *believe* I was reaching for the work on the table, which was not near the bit. It's possible that it slid forward slightly. I wish I knew exactly what happened so as to prevent anything in the future, but as it is I will simply have to learn from it and be considerably more careful. I like to think I'm safe in the shop, but it's apparent that using power tools as much as we do things can happen. All I know is I grazed the tip of the bit and felt pressure as the router slowed slightly, at which point my brain quickly processed that I may have touched the bit. Sure enough, I looked down, and yes, I did.
Four hours later after lots of cleaning, silver nitrate (very painful, didn't stop the bleeding), and cauterization (very painful, mostly stopped the bleeding), and a tight pressure bandage I was sent on my way. It was still bleeding after 24 hours when I changed the dressing and oozing the next morning, It wasn't until last night that it actually stopped. Fortunately, the good blood supply of finger tips lets them grow back either completely or almost completely. Right now, it's swollen and uncomfortable, but I made it through without any narcotics. I have a follow-up today to make sure the swelling is normal and not related to infection, as that would be the only major risk going forward. I'll probably ask for antibiotics regardless.
Just be safe. It could have been much, much, much worse.
I do have a picture from the initial urgent care visit. It's not all that graphic.
.