Oowwwweeeee/ warning blood and gore.

[Laredo]

In nearly 50 years' experience I have always, always, always, always found that dull edges make raggeder wounds that are harder to clean and keep closed for healing, and I seriously believe they hurt worse, too.

But I am glad you are not permanently injured, and I hope that your healing is quick and complete.

I have not messed with a rotary cutter much; I crochet, and sew by hand. (Got my thumb run over by the needle in home ec class when I was a freshman. No fun, that.) Beware the poorly-lit seam, Chinese novelty folding miniature scissors, and the small ripper.

Also, the kitchen knife, cracked plastic dish, manila envelope flap, Apache-tear obsidian arrowhead, claws of cats, edges of 1958 Apache pickup doors, broken glasses in the dishpan, loose doorknobs with metal doohickeys underneath, donut or biscuit cutters, your mom's box grater, splinters of fatwood, gears in a Dazey churn head, blades of an electric hand mixer, and spousal toenails; not to mention gravel, bicycle rims, the end of a handlebar, pavement edges, railroad spikes, tent pegs, 30-pound monofilament kite twine, and falling bits of broken windowpane, or the cat's other claws. Don't turn your back in trust on expanded metal gratings, either, or that grinning NCO with the pneumatic vaccinator.

(Um, yes, I'm a regular blood donor. Why do you ask?)

[Miriam C.]

Girl you sound like me. Trust me when I tell you these things, at least in my sewing room, are never really dull enough enough to make a jagged cut. The cut looks just like any razor cut. I keep the old one for trimming paper pieced blocks.

Paper makes them too dull to cut 4 layers without pushing, and pushing will cause accidents. I get a new blade every quilt. This is my first cut and I was pushing--------------------on wood.

They might hurt worse though. I hope to never find out.

[Boodro]

OWEEE,OWEEEE,OWEEEE!!!!

Sorry for your booboo. I use a cutter like that for cutting leather, works REAL good too! But you'll have a cool scar when alls said & done to show off.

Also AM , its not polite to point ya know!

[Miriam C.]

OWEEE,OWEEEE,OWEEEE!!!!

Sorry for your booboo. I use a cutter like that for cutting leather, works REAL good too! But you'll have a cool scar when alls said & done to show off.

Also AM , its not polite to point ya know!

So sweet! I suppose it is a good thing the other finger was the bad one.

[csdivine]

I knew it was time to take a break. That little voice inside told me to take a break. But, I just needed a few more pieces cut and I would be done for the day. Well, the fates are not kind to those who ignore that inner voice.

The tablesaw won, and I made a helluva mess in the garage. I ended up spending three hours of my Sunday in the emergency room instead of having dinner with my family. Now, after x-rays, sutures and six injections, I get to go see a hand surgeon and hope I don't have to live with a numb thumb for the rest of my life.

[apratt]

Csdivine!! Ouch!! That looks serious. I do hope your thumb heals all up ok with all the tendons and nerves intact. Did ya know you can't win against a table saw.

[csdivine]

Thanks Arthur. I tell myself every time I turn on a powertool that I'm no match for the RPMs and the blades. I'm usually insanely careful, but unfortunately all it takes is a split-second for that all to change.

[apratt]

Yea know what you mean about split second. My dad had a run in with his table saw it about took his tumb, index finger and the middle finger. The Doc sewed them all back on but blade went through the knuckles of his fingers so he could no longer bend them. In then end he wished the Doc left his fingers off, because they would get cold easy and boy did they hurt him when it was cold outside. His fingers would turn purple.

[Miriam C.]

oh I am so sorry you are hurt. I have the top of the tip of my finger numb and they aren't getting their hands on it. All I wanted was a pain shot and some stitches, buttttttttttt nooooooooooo they glued it so they can keep their treatment.

I think we tend to be more careful of the tools we are not as familiar with. I use my rotary cutter almost daily.

[bobhenry]

Motorcycles , chainsaws , and power tool have a way of reminding you to not get complacent in their use.

[halfdome, Danny]

Ouch Miriam I always trim the extra hanging over with a used belt sander belt that's slid over a piece of wood for a tight fit. All you do is smack it (the corner) at a 45% angle and then sand with a downward motion on the excess on the edges. Throw out the small rotary tool, there are better ways to do things without using a tool that has no guard and is free to do what ever damage it is allowed.
That finger makes me shiver Danny

[martha24]

OWWWWWWWWWWWWW:shock:
That cut just hurts to look at.
I can see that is something my daughter better never own, she somehow always seems to manage to cut herself, but never seriously thank goodness. Just enough to be a family joke.
Sounds like you should heal o.k., just has to be real frustating.
Hope you get better quick.
Martha

[csdivine]

Martha,

Don't ever let someone else's experiences tell you (or your daughter) what you'd "better never own". One of the biggest reasons, ironically, that I was injured was because I was trying to make cuts with a tablesaw that I really should have been making with a bandsaw or a scrollsaw (neither of which I own....yet). My lessons are learned.

Learn from my mistakes.

Chris

[Classic Finn]

Ouchieeeeeeeee..Thats no way to end the day and be a Happy Camper..

Hope you,ll be ok.

Classic Finn

[martha24]

Chris,
I sure hope your thumb heals right.
I would never tell anybody what they can or can't own, even my daughter, but she as a way with being accident prone with things that can cut.
This is where it is important if you are going to use anything than can really hurt you, make sure you learn how to use it safely or don't use it. Accidents only take a spilt second to happen as we all know and most have experienced.
I hope the hand surgeon has good new for you.
Martha