How not to use a mortising chisel

[Screwdriver]

I mean I wasn't even using it! I had been playing with chisels, sharpening them up and I was fitting a lock to a neighbours gate so had all the tools at the ready. Then this happened.

I was hacksawing the end off a lock mounting screw, went to bang it off with my fist, missed, punched the end of the mortising chisel.

Caught the back of my hand right between the knuckle, dug right into a vein and a seriously impressive, unbelievably bright fountain of blood just went everywhere!

Got my thumb over it and ran off to the first aid dept but that's the last time I leave a chisel poised like that over my workbench.

Have to admit the sheer volume of blood really caught me off guard and gave me a funny moment. I was worried I might have done some serious damage having punched the end of it really hard. But it didn't hurt at all really, just my pride I suppose and it stopped surprisingly quickly too. probably will hurt tomorrow and be a right pain keeping it dry and clean etc. but if nothing else, it reminds me to be err, mindful...

 

[voipio]

Ouch!!! A fountain of "bright" blood suggests an artery was severed, rather than a vein.

 

[Screwdriver]

My first thought was artery but I didn't want to be a drama queen and my knowledge of biology (like most humans) is abysmal. I could tell you more bout my Fazer...

Anyhow Google knows all:

..and right where it says "deep arch" and "metacarpal arteries" is where I punched a deep gouge into the back of my hand.

Eek. Seems OK and I guess they must repair pretty damned quickly but my first thought was it might need a stitch or at least a suture. I just stuck a plaster on it and let it do what it does.

Meanwhile, no good deed ever goes unpunished.

I was helping the same neighbour dispose of a fence. Couple of 4x4 posts, connected by 4x2's and feather edge. Smallish sections decorated with the serrated teeth of countless pin nails. I started moving it, holding it away from my legs (I don't need to see inside a femoral artery!) and BANG goes my back...

Instant pain and the realisation that bang goes your summer of fun.

Bugger.

 

[Morrisman]

I remember holding a piece of steel, all back to front while cutting it with an angle grinder, 1mm blade. The grinder bit, the cutting wheel leapt at me and put a short slice down to the bone in the back of my thumb.... blood everywhere. Sudden panic, I was on my own in our new build house, no transport, got to get someone to take me to hospital....

In the end I wrapped masking tape and rag around it and carried on working.

It healed with no great dramas.

Seeing lots of your own blood does give you a funny moment though.

 

[Screwdriver]

Yeah thumbs really do bleed out, plus they never let you forget about it!

Anyhow, I think it's healing up nicely though it's beginning to hurt.

My prize, 2kg of sugar, will take the sting out of it.

If anyone knows where to find those Kirkland 1.8kg tubs (this is an old one refilled from bulk packets), I'm all ears. Can't find them for love nor money.

 

[dobbslc]

That's exactly the same place I cut my hand breaking into my dad's house when he collapsed.
It bled a bit!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

If anyone knows where to find those Kirkland 1.8kg tubs (this is an old one refilled from bulk packets), I'm all ears. Can't find them for love nor money.

?? CLICKY

 

[Screwdriver]

?? CLICKY

Nope. Costco used to carry the genuine article "Jelly Belly".

There is a reason they are ferociously expensive, they are amazing!

There's a YouTube vid out there of the (genuine) Jelly Belly production and it's all real fruit etc.

Inferior jelly beans are available but they're just too damned ordinary. These Kirkland jobbies are simply delicious.