What Tool Scares You?

[thekl0wn]

Anyone else have a fear of a certain shop tool? Besides the fear/respect that we should all have for every tool?

Mine would have to be the lathe. Don't know why, but the lathe scares me, and I don't ever use it, nor have a desire to use it...

[old_guy]

Very interesting question!

I would vote for ripping on a table saw, and my router would be a close second. I don't avoid these operations, but I pay extra attention to business when I'm using them. I've seen the results from too many guys who didn't pay attention.

[Domer]

Traditional tapering jigs scare me. I don't feel like I have control over the wood.

Like others, I still use it but with great caution.

I have seen some plans for home made tapering jigs that hold down the wood that look a lot better to me. So I will probably make one in the near future.

Domer

[GoonMan]

None of my tools scare me. But I do have respect for all of them. I sometimes let my guard down and think wow that could have been a disaster.

When i first started wood working the table saw and the router scared me, but after using them for a while I learned to get over my fears. The same was true when I first started using a Lathe now I let my fear of the tool become a joy of turning.

Respect all tools and do not let your guard down, also do not do wood working when tired that is when accidents happen.

[AMF]

The tools that scares me the most is the Radial Arm saw, mainly becasue it can be unpredictable and bind. I was alwasy taught not to fear any tool because you will be distracted by that fear and let your guard down. I had some close calls on the table saw but learnt from those mistakes.

Alex

[Cocobolove]

My router table scares the crap out of me. I think I need a better one. I slung a picture frame piece across the shop the other day. Has anyone built one into their workbench? Ive ben tinkering that idea around for a while.

[Don]

Goonman has the answer here, always respect the operation in front of you. It will remind you to when you least expect it. Just had a guy stick his hand in front of a spinning cutter to clean a copy wheel, took the meat off the end of his finger. Woodworking tools operate at high speeds to get the kind of cuts we want, this means the danger is inherent. This is a good thread and one many could benefit from posting their close calls and others from reading.

The smaller the workpiece and the larger the machine, the greater the danger.

Be careful out there.

All the best, Don

[old_guy]

My router table scares the crap out of me. I think I need a better one. I slung a picture frame piece across the shop the other day. Has anyone built one into their workbench? Ive ben tinkering that idea around for a while.


Cocobolove --

Before you spend a lot of money on a new router table, I'd suggest taking a look at why your picture frame flew across the shop. In my experience it has nothing to do with the router table, but that the work got on the back side of the bit with no support. Doesn't matter how good or bad your table is -- the bit will send the work flying.