Die grinders work on metal AND flesh!

[John Schmidt]

Working in the garage yesterday using said grinder cutting some metal tubing when the blade caught, causing it to kick back & up. Result was a deep cut on the right index finger just left of the knuckle and about 2" long...went right through the leather welding glove. Done in a split second. We headed for a nearby urgent care facility where this really pretty NP removed the soaked hand towel and looked it over, decided we didn't need to go to the ER. The really fun part was when she gave me four injections to numb the finger, the pain of it all had me breaking out in a sweat and I think I bent the armrest. Once done and effective, she cleaned it good and found some metal fragments in it. Next, Nancy had to move so she couldn't see what was going on...weak stomach I guess. I believe I counted 8 stiches, then  wrapped loosely to protect and used a small splint to prevent bending the finger. Two hours later the numbing wore off, it stayed that way all night so you can imagine how little I slept...tylenol helped but not much. Today, I take a tylenol every few hours to stary ahead of the pain as much as possible but it still hurts like the dickens. Looks like the bike project is delayed a bit, I was about ready to move the Wing motor into place prior to installing...checking for spacing and position. Guess it's on the back burner for a while.  

[old2soon]

      Well being as you already KNOW this sharp metal spinng objects or tools care less bout whether or not the sharp part goes through or into cloth leather or flesh!  Heal fast there John as snow will be flyin again before you want it to!  I've also found out my skin ain't no where near as tough as it used to wuz even a couple years back!  Hence forth Please BE MORE CAREFUL!  RIDE SAFE.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I feel your pain, John.

After >30 years of being a tech, I've had my share of oopsies over the years. Admittedly, some of them were from complacency that comes with being too comfortable doing certain things, but some were just when s--t went south.

I will say that the injury usually hurts pretty badly until the endorphins take over (the human body is pretty amazing in that way). I distinctly recall the worst part to be the Lidocaine injections to numb the area prior to cleaning/stitching. Like liquid fire going in. The last time I did something requiring medical attention, I opted not to get the Lidocaine. The stitching wasn't bad, but the cleaning still stung like an SOB. I guess the best method is to just not get hurt. I'll have to keep reminding myself that. 

[Pluggy]

Sorry to hear.  

[John Schmidt]

Yeah Ken, she warned me before injecting.  And yes, like injecting fire but I don't know if I could have held out for all the stiches without it. Right now it's taking forever to type stuff. 

[Jess from VA]

Sorry for your trouble John.

Us older gentlemen need to take extra care to not do these things.

I do work nearly every day and with power equipment, but I am oh so careful.

And wear gloves for nearly everything.

[LadyDraco]

Ouch !

[Rams]

John,
Let's not do that again.  
I've got enough scars for both of us.

Rams  

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

Oh gosh that hurts all the way down here in Fl. Sorry to hear of your mishap John. Glad it wasn't more serious. Heal those typing digits soon, so you can tell us about this Valk with reverse.

[TJ]

You old fart... You know you have to be extra careful at your age..... 

Heal fast...

[f6john]

What, no pics!!! Thanks, I’m with Nancy on that point

[John Schmidt]

What, no pics!!! Thanks, I’m with Nancy on that point

John, here ya go...just for you. Doesn't look nearly as bad today since the major swelling has gone down and you can't see the bone now that it's closed. Doesn't look as long as first measured, maybe original swelling made it look longer...still was kinda deep. It's been over 48 hrs. now and I'm changing the bandage but thought "just for you" I'd share. 

[f6john]

I can handle stitches! Looks like nice work. Something about all the medicine I’m on makes it seem like even small injuries take forever to heal. I’m going to avoid die grinders if at all possible.

[98valk]

John, so sorry to see this. praying a fast healing and recovering for you.  be careful my friend with that battle wound.

God Bless.

[Pluggy]

As first graders, we would peel back a Band Aid to show kids what was underneath.  Boys sais "Cool", girls said 'Ewwww".

John, you are a child at heart.

[h13man]

Used die grinders for many a year and yes they are notorious for kicking back. I use 4 1/2" bench grinder for better control with a cutting disc when applicable.

[f6john]

Used die grinders for many a year and yes they are notorious for kicking back. I use 4 1/2" bench grinder for better control with a cutting disc when applicable.

I just spent most of my morning with my 4 1/2 “ grinder to tooth out some brick around my new back door. But I was using a diamond wheel which will kick back but you usually just get a burn mark if it hits you which happens, just not this morning!

[John Schmidt]

As first graders, we would peel back a Band Aid to show kids what was underneath.  Boys sais "Cool", girls said 'Ewwww".

John, you are a child at heart.

I never had such a major injury as a small kid, but did get a lot of attention in HS after hyper-extending my knee. Went backwards in a pick-up game of touch(?) football one weekend. Our practice field had grass on it so soft your could fall asleep laying on it under a tree. While playing, due to the soft surface we'd play barefoot in shorts while our lovers du jure would all hang out under the trees, most likely comparing notes on various "subjects." Following that little accident, I was on crutches for a time and had all kinds of help carrying my books from class to class. Interesting times indeed! Two things happened as a result of the injury; First, it ended my ability to run the 100 yd. dash under 10 seconds. Second...these days when it's cold(wet or dry), it reminds me big time of those "good old days." Judging how this finger cut feels, it might be a bit stiff for a time but 100% functional, I was told the bone wasn't touched...just exposed slightly on the side. When the NP spread the cut slightly to show me, I thanked her and added "I think I could have done without that!" 

[John Schmidt]

Got the stiches out today, appears to be healing well. Still a bit stiff near the knuckle but can at least bend it a bit without pain. Going to work on the reverse project a bit tomorrow, have the circuitry pretty much worked out. I spent time brainstorming on the phone with my good friend Pluggy(Stu Saunders, former engineer in the tech industry).  I think it's doable since the entire concept was simplified somewhat, time will tell I guess.