I had to have four stitches in my knee because a paper grinding disc exploded on my. I also have had a 4" disc exploded in my face, luckily I was wearing a safety shield. Your lucky, I use to work with a bunch of old timers who use to be missing fingers and had all kinds of nasty scars from things like that happening to them.

Gentlemen,

One of the most important features of this forum is the posting of accidents as much needed reminders that bad things can happen all too quickly. I've become more conscientious of my work habits and safety equipment since reading these posts and thank those who've shared their experiences in order to save us all some serious injury and a**ache.

Yes Paris, it can happen to anyone so. She says be careful guys.

So far, so good. I'm pretty careful with my power tools tho I do manage to grind an occasional notch in a finger with a cut off wheel and get some of that sticky red stuff that leaks out all over my work .

The 3 or 4 inch rotary wire brushes are also a problem with me - and I now wear a full face shield. Pieces of wire sticking out of my face hurt. I always wore safety glasses and they stop wire from getting in my eyes, but the post porcupine attack look to my forehead isn't fashionable

The only power tool that occasionally snaps at me with a kickback is my big contractor's table saw - it does have an anti kickback device that is a real POS and actually causes more problems then it prevents.

Dave W

When I was younger, I was working as a pipe fitters apprentice at a waste incenerator. I was grinding away when a old pipe fitter came up to me and said why are you playing around with that toy. The toy he was referring to was a 4" grinder. He told me to grab a real tool, a 8" grinder and said get some work done. I went to the tool shed and picked up a 8" grinder and went back to work. I was having trouble with the 8" grinders safety shield getting in my way, the thing was to big. So I grabbed my 4" grinder and went back to grinding. The old pipe fitter came back and noticed I was using the 4" grinder again. He said what in the hell am I doing messing around with the 4" grinder. I told him it was too big and the safety shield was getting in the way. He grabbed the 8" grinder took off the shield and handed it to me. As he handed it to me I noticed he only had three fingers on one hand. I ended up using the 4" grinder and told him I like my fingers.

It's not only power tools you have to be careful with,many a long moon ago,I was rebuilding a ford 300" six.I was tapping a main cap into place when a burr flew off and imbedded itself in my forearm,a very expensive trip to the e-room later (it stuck in the bone) ,I learned a good lesson watch your A** .It could be your eye and you too could look like a pirate.Tom,

ive had one in knee and one on the hand.not too bad either time.i think everyone who uses grinders eventuly has a story to tell.neither of mine ever bled.the disc just burnen agrove in my hide.any tool can get you.be careful.try not to ever get in a bad position where you dont have a good hold on tools.in construction for life.seen too many injuries and worse.just be careful all.geezer69

I remember as an apprentice doing a little frame pull (body shop) and being causious around the chains being sure not to sand "in the line of fire". A journeyman said "If you are so afraid maybe you should be flipping burgers or something" It has now been 30 years and I have had a few incedents, God only knows how many I would have had if I hadn't been as careful as I have!

Brian

After 30 years of just wearing safety glasses - I've started augmenting safety glass and a Full Face shield.

I had 2 instances within 6 months where I had to have metal dug out of my eye - and I was wearing safety glasses, somehow these pieces got past.

That was enough, no matter how uncomfortable the full face shields are well worth the extra $$ and hassle (more of a hassle if you can't see from an injury!)

I also wear leather or welding gloves for extra protection...

Someone else told their story of the "Wire Cupped Brush" - those things will not only grab your clothing, hair, cat, dog or whatever else is loos - they throw shrapnel around when the wire come loose - gotta be careful with those too!

I had a cupped wire brush on my 4" angle grinder and it kicked back grabbing my coveralls near the "privates area" if you know what I mean

Luckily the coveralls bunched up and stalled the electric motor - mm short of life altering damage

I have always told anyone that I borke in running a machine that if you are "afraid" of it, then you don't need to run it. One has to "respect" it but not be afraid of it. I've seen wuite a few people over the years get hurt really bad because they were afraid. I've also seen quite a few get hurt by flat out being "stupid". But when you are afraid, you will end up making a mistake that can be dangerous. Be one with any machine and learn it, and it's capabilities.