Do you feel safe using power tools alone?

[Leros]

The thread about tools that scare you got me thinking about this. Do you feel safe using power tools (mitre saw, table saw, etc) when you're alone?

I like to have somebody around just in case I cut myself, go into shock, and start bleeding to death before being able to get help.

 

[lxskllr]

Nah, I don't worry about it. There's too many ways to hurt yourself every day to worry about a single one.

 

[Triumph]

After nearly cutting off my finger in a bandsaw at work, I have A LOT more respect for power tools than I once had. I will use the table saw or circular saw alone, but I always think about exactly what I'm doing before I do it and think, "Now how could this go wrong?" It probably would be safer if someone was around but at least I am aware of the danger.

At work, there are way too many things that would kill me quick and nobody would find me til the next morning. I don't risk it if I'm there late. My job isn't that important!

And I always make sure my cell phone is in my pocket, in case I need to get to it with my non-bloody stump.

 

[Eos]

I run a table saw, router table, etc alone without worry. I take steps to be safe: short sleeves, goggles, earplugs.

 

[lxskllr]

I almost cut my finger off in a bandsaw also. I was in shop class in school. The only thing that saved it was the shallow cut angle. If I was a bit closer to a right angle, I'd have lost my finger.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I figure one of the neighbors will hear me screaming, and if I lose a finger it's only a 1 block frantic run the the hospital - won't even need to grab the ice.

But I am very, very careful.

 

[bignateyk]

No, I don't worry about it. But then again I was out climbing on my roof in the snow with noone around trying to adjust my HD antenna.

 

[vshah]

yeah i would be, but I'm very slow, deliberate, and methodical around tools, especially table saws or rotary saws.

 

[Squisher]

Yes I feel safe. I have worked by myself in numerous die shops too.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Yes, I am comfortable using most power tools alone. If I was using a chainsaw, I'd want to have a friend nearby just in case..

 

[vi edit]

Yep. Like I mentioned in the other thread, I feel much more comfortable now that I've got a Jawhorse.

http://www.amazon.com/Rockwell-RK900.../dp/B0018MRUN4

It's another set of stable hands for holding things down when working on them. Awesome device.

As much as I hate running the tablesaw, I'll actually go out of my way to run that when no one is home because I don't want my 4 year old running out to the garage when I'm trying to operate it.