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April 02, 2004
Self Surgery
Norm Abrams often uses the term "nice sharp chisel." He'll say things like "clean up the mortise with a nice sharp chisel" or "square the inside corner with a nice sharp chisel."
I keep my own chisels razor sharp -- not that I would try to shave with a chisel, any more than I would try to use a razor blade to clean out a mortise, but you get the point.
I had to pare down a tenon (i.e., make it a tiny fraction of an inch narrower), so naturally instead of setting up a power tool I reached for a nice sharp chisel.
Along the way I collected a common little souvenir of the woodworking hobby:
It's a good thing this wasn't done with a bad dull chisel -- it would have been much worse. As it is, I barely even felt it. The cut was so clean it took two minutes for it to start bleeding. Now, that's sharp.
And lest I forget to mention it: the tenon was successfully pared, and fits perfectly. Look for a photo or two of the project in the days ahead.
[Update: actually, I think Norm says "nice" rather than "good sharp chisel." Same thing, but I've corrected the post.]
Posted by Russ at 02:55 PM, April 2, 2004 in Woodworking
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Good Heavens man, I've got a scar in the same exact place, and it's the same size and direction. Looking at it in the desk lamp now.
Got mine slicing slab bacon sometime in 1985. Hadn't thought of it until seeing your pic. It was like looking back thru time at the cut.
Posted by: Stephen at April 3, 2004 12:42 AM
I get about one of those a week sometimes. What's interesting is that you actually damaged both your index fingers, you just don't know it yet. :o
Nerve Damage Study
Posted by: George Turner at April 3, 2004 06:42 PM
I'd offer to kiss it and make it better, but I have rabies.
Posted by: Mamamontezz at April 4, 2004 11:43 PM
Sorry, MamaM, but I got a better offer - from my actual Mom :-)
Posted by: Russ at April 5, 2004 12:05 AM
Believe it or not, there was in 1979, a real DIY Surgeon! A psychiaric patient first did up a bilateral "balls-ectomy" - castrating himself - before he attempted an adrenalectomy. His goal was to shut off his sex drive. While "crazy" he was not stupid. When he was unable to tolerate the pain of retracting his liver, he gave up, used gauze, sewn himself up, and called 9/11 saying he had a hernia. Amazed surgeons discovered an otherwise professional-like job done inside! It was mentioned in a Chicago newspaper in 1979, and not only did I save the article, I framed it. When I think of this exact case, I think of the troubled soul as "The D.I.Y. Surgeon".
Someone would have to have some severe emotional issues to be willing to undergo the pain of a DIY surgery job. Not to mention the dangers of such a stunt. Wing-walking without a harness would be safer! (and without pain if successful)
Posted by: Grissom at February 26, 2005 11:00 PM
AFTER I HAVE A SWIM OR BATH ALL THE LITTLE SCARS ON MY LEFT HAND APPEAR AS A CONTINIOUS LINE RIGHT AROUND MY THUMB AND IT LOOKS AS IF IT HAS BEEN CUT OFF.
Posted by: AARON at October 28, 2005 04:37 PM
Imperial Department of Hegemony By Force
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Comments
Good Heavens man, I've got a scar in the same exact place, and it's the same size and direction. Looking at it in the desk lamp now.
Got mine slicing slab bacon sometime in 1985. Hadn't thought of it until seeing your pic. It was like looking back thru time at the cut.
Posted by: Stephen at April 3, 2004 12:42 AM
I get about one of those a week sometimes. What's interesting is that you actually damaged both your index fingers, you just don't know it yet. :o
Nerve Damage Study
Posted by: George Turner at April 3, 2004 06:42 PM
I'd offer to kiss it and make it better, but I have rabies.
Posted by: Mamamontezz at April 4, 2004 11:43 PM
Sorry, MamaM, but I got a better offer - from my actual Mom :-)
Posted by: Russ at April 5, 2004 12:05 AM
Believe it or not, there was in 1979, a real DIY Surgeon! A psychiaric patient first did up a bilateral "balls-ectomy" - castrating himself - before he attempted an adrenalectomy. His goal was to shut off his sex drive. While "crazy" he was not stupid. When he was unable to tolerate the pain of retracting his liver, he gave up, used gauze, sewn himself up, and called 9/11 saying he had a hernia. Amazed surgeons discovered an otherwise professional-like job done inside! It was mentioned in a Chicago newspaper in 1979, and not only did I save the article, I framed it. When I think of this exact case, I think of the troubled soul as "The D.I.Y. Surgeon".
Someone would have to have some severe emotional issues to be willing to undergo the pain of a DIY surgery job. Not to mention the dangers of such a stunt. Wing-walking without a harness would be safer! (and without pain if successful)
Posted by: Grissom at February 26, 2005 11:00 PM
AFTER I HAVE A SWIM OR BATH ALL THE LITTLE SCARS ON MY LEFT HAND APPEAR AS A CONTINIOUS LINE RIGHT AROUND MY THUMB AND IT LOOKS AS IF IT HAS BEEN CUT OFF.
Posted by: AARON at October 28, 2005 04:37 PM