Block Plane

I am a little embarrassed :B as to posting what I did but as this is a safety topic I guess I should post to prevent others from doing what I did.

I was using a Block plane to take off a very fine shaving from a small piece of wood. I just had to take it out of the vice and check it as I went along. Then put it back in the vice and take a couple more shavings.

I became a little lazy in doing that as I have about 15 pieces to do. So I just swapped to using the block plane in one hand and the piece of wood in the other. Not getting much of a shaving so I used a little more force and sliced a bit of the nail with some skin. Only took a very fine shaving but enough to start the blood flowing. One bandaid was not enough so two were needed and some dry antiseptic powder. Only cut about two or three mills.

What have I learnt, is to avoid putting your hand near the sole of the block plane. Best to plane with your hands above the sole.

Doesn't take much. I have this 3mm cut on the top of my finger from a marking wheel gauge yesterday. Nothing major but a sensitive bit which kept getting in the way today.

A not too painful lesson I hope.

Ensure that absolutely all blood has been removed from your plane or you will have heavy rust in no time.

Was listening to a designers program on ABC National the other day - talking to a bloke who did some design work for J&J - looked at the band-aid and redesigned it as in most cases it was used on fingers - they apparently moved the gauze towards one end - smart when you think about it.

Regards,
Bob

I was at my mums the last week and I told her why I had the bandaid on the finger. Today being mothers day I was there again and as mothers sometimes do (at least mine) they fuss over their sons. She asked me if I went to the hospital? :doh:

No Mum it is a nail, it will grow back. :o

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christos

I am a little embarrassed :B as to posting what I did but as this is a safety topic I guess I should post to prevent others from doing what I did.

I was using a Block plane to take off a very fine shaving from a small piece of wood. I just had to take it out of the vice and check it as I went along. Then put it back in the vice and take a couple more shavings.

I became a little lazy in doing that as I have about 15 pieces to do. So I just swapped to using the block plane in one hand and the piece of wood in the other. Not getting much of a shaving so I used a little more force and sliced a bit of the nail with some skin. Only took a very fine shaving but enough to start the blood flowing. One bandaid was not enough so two were needed and some dry antiseptic powder. Only cut about two or three mills.

What have I learnt, is to avoid putting your hand near the sole of the block plane. Best to plane with your hands above the sole.

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I'm surprised it's taken you this long to gain that flattened look! I suspect most handplane weilders will confess to having done this.

cheers,
Gav.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christos

I was at my mums the last week and I told her why I had the bandaid on the finger. Today being mothers day I was there again and as mothers sometimes do (at least mine) they fuss over their sons. She asked me if I went to the hospital? :doh:

No Mum it is a nail, it will grow back. :o

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That's mums for you. Bless 'em:):2tsup: