x acto users beware
 

after 20 plus years of modeleing it happened a no 2 sharp blade into my thumb. all the way to the bone! my wife is an rn so she wrapped it up. bleeding stopped but the whole hand is sore. I have complete feeling and motor use so im not going to the er. well see about infection. hell ive got a corsair to build and we all know they would stich it up and put a cast on it so i couldnt move it/ got to watch it cause i fly with my thumbs and its the rt one for elev and aileron. uses super jet to close it up and she had a suture kit so i bit the pain and have a couple stitches in it.

RE: x acto users beware
 

Glad to hear that it's just a flesh wound. My last trip to the ER was the result of a lapse of judgement with a Dremel cut-off wheel. It does make a nice clean cut, though.

Heal soon and put your hand modeling contracts on hold!

Tom

RE: x acto users beware
 

Did somthing similar. My Doctor got quite annoyed.Supplied me with a surgical scalpel and a dozen No. 1 blades. Gave me strict instructions on use and told me to get rid of my X acto knife. Well of course I ddn't get rid of the Xacto because each knife has its uses.

Glad you are on the mend, but shouldn't you have had stitches for such a deep wound? Have a Safe Christmas

Neil

RE: x acto users beware
 

OUCH!!!

I think most of us felt the wrath of an Xacto blade at one time or another.

Always keep in mind what can happen if you slip at what your doing when using cutting tools and don"t be in a hurry!

Last night I was installing a cowl and switching out drill bits back and forth in a cordless/key less chuck, when one didn't fall out and got stuck side ways in the chuck jaws. Sliced my hand open at the base of my thumb. Luckily it's still attached.

You can never be too careful.

(Injuries can cause serious building down time)





Too many planes to build - Not enough time

RE: x acto users beware
 

Well I have a good x acto story.

Working on my first giant scale airplane, a Sig 1/4 scale cub, set x acto knife on building table,
worked on something else for a minute and went to pick up knife again. It was gone, nowhere
on bench? Steped back from bench and looked down at floor and found it. Sticking out of the top
of my shoe! Now, you'd think with the handle being so much heavier than the blade it would
never land point first, but it does. Best part is that it missed my toes. I just stood there and looked
at it for a minute amazed. Now I glue a 1/2" square piece of balsa around the top edge of my bench
to keep that from happening again.

Mike

RE: x acto users beware
 

Had an Xacto roll off my building table, out of instinct I slapped my legs together and caught it - sideways - drove it into my thigh to the hilt! Carved on a plastic spinner, drove it to the hilt into the web of my hand - ouch! Only a few accidents over many years, but always as a result of either being tired, in a hurry, or using a cutting tool improperly. It pays to pay attention to what you're doing!
Sam

RE: x acto users beware
 

TT,
OK, you've been doin' it for 20 years, so I'll have some fun here.... "A stitch In Time Saves Nine" (Nine What?), "Cut To the Chase", "Owe, that Cuts Clear to the Bone", "If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It", "Thumbs Up", "Time to Cut A Rug", "He's a Real Cut Up", "Get the Point"?, I'm laughing so hard I'm in stitches here. OK, time for me to "Cut Out of Here"...Get on that Corsair and stay Sharp!

RE: x acto users beware
 

my whole hand is sore but no signs of i nfection yet

RE: x acto users beware
 

Tim
I am sorry to hear about your accident and hope you heal up quickly [:o] But I am surprised it the first time in 20 years you've owned up to a bo bo with a knife:D Ive been modeling for 60 plus years, and I don't even want to think of my dumb stunts. So just be more care full Please:D

See yo over in the Corsair thread

Cheers Bob T

RE: x acto users beware
 

thanks. took the tape off its not bleeding so I cad the slit shut. retaped. first sign of infection ill go to er but so far so good. i can still build but not as fast.

RE: x acto users beware
 

Tim,

Sorry to hear of your pain. My kids threatened to take all my sharp tools away from me because I am always cutting up my fingers. Now I always look where they are and if the blade slips will they get cut. If the answer is yes I change my method. Only once to the bone. It was nasty. Heal quick and hope you feel better.

Gibbs

RE: x acto users beware
 

thanks good idea

RE: x acto users beware
 

Tim.
Keep a close check on it. ESPECIALLY, if you have not had a Tetnaus shot in maybe 5 years?
It will hurt because of moving the finger at night and day.

However, press the cut portion of the finger to the underside of your chin 2 times a day so you can feel the heat of a infection starting.

A red line starting at your cut finger and moving toward the wrist is Blood poisioning!!
A Doctor or ER room trip fast!!

Hope it is just pain during a normal cut recovery.

I long ago stopped cutting ANYTHING for ANY reason on my hand, chest or lap-legs, where a slip
meant a cut or gash.

RE: x acto users beware
 

Oh yeah. Amazing how you don't want to cut something on the edge of the freezer (secondary table doncha know) for fear of dulling the blade but wouldn't hesitate to trim that piece 'o balsa on your knee.

RE: x acto users beware
 

OUCH. My tummy turned over just thinking about catching a falling knife between my legs. Gosh you could damage the family jewels!! I now use my patented Knife Stop. It is a plastic wine bottle cork . Works like a charm, blades remain sharp and the knife s are not floating around in my tool tray or on the bench.

Cheers,
Neil

RE: x acto users beware
 

While I have never cut myself this badley I have done so frequently enough that I try to visualize the inevitable slip and avoid putting my fleshy parts in the path. However; stuff happens no matter the precautions. Hope you heal quickly.

RE: x acto users beware
 

How's this for a close call...

Cutting a nice, straight edge on a sheet of balsa, get the steel (long) ruler out, now push it down hard with one hand, so it doesn't slip, put the knife on one end and pull it along the ruler with the other hand in one go, next thing I know is 3 tiny caps from my finger tips laying next to the edge of the ruler, not bleeding, just the top layer of skin off.
Alway double check where both your hands are.....[X(]

Lucky I don't play piano:D:D

RE: x acto users beware
 

DaddySam
That is one of the best shop "war" stories I've heard, catching that knife with your legs, OUCH !

After doing that dance, more than a couple of times, as the knife rolled of the table I've put a flap of tape on the end. No more rolling off but the excitement of "doing that dance" is gone :D

RE: x acto users beware
 

I had a knife with a brand new blade roll off the bench, felt it brush along my leg on it's way to the floor. Thought mmmmm...... That could have hurt, picked up the knife & kept working.

Shortly after I noticed a slippery & wet feeling under my foot. Looked down to see blood everywhere.[X(][X(][X(]

That "brush" down my leg had left a cut about 4" long. Nice sharp blade & I barely felt a thing!!!!

Cheers

RE: x acto users beware
 

monday im at school teaching thumb is ok not swollen. well keep on hoping. whole hand is sore though so thats interesting all the nerves are connected in there! i started a sander and dremel horror stories post also! flacks got quite the personality doesnt he

RE: x acto users beware
 

If the blade in fact hit the bone as you indicated, it will be painful for a while. Good luck in your healing process.

This thread is so funny. I am still LMAO thinking about catching the xacto in between the legs, I am glad it was someone else. I hope that doesn't make me a bad person.....:D

RE: x acto users beware
 

Tim,if you really want to be safe stop modeling all together.Right!!!Ive drilled my fingers,burned them cut them,finnished planes with blood soaked into the balsa,and I'm still building.My wife asks me everytime she hears a groan or "ouch" if I have blessed the project.My grandson just sits back and wonders if I have enough blood.Heal fast Tim.[:@]ouch

RE: x acto users beware
 

well i tape it up and continue !

RE: x acto users beware
 

Timothy Thompson,
I really do feel your pain bro. I hope you heal up fast and have a great holliday season. Just remember where the blade is next time. I may not fly my planes as often as I like, but I do take them out and run them ocassionally and let them see the blue sky. To tell you the truth, my days off lately have not been in cunjunction with good flying weather. Oh well, I'll be waiting. You know, all the little "Beware" off shoots may spark someone to actually "Beware" the next time they do something that poses a chance for injury, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that thought. Merry Christmas Tim.

RE: x acto users beware
 

I had the same thing happen to me years ago....I was cutting some soft balsa and my grip slipped. Brand New blade went right into my thumb, didnt feel a thing until I looked for the blade and pulled it out. Went in just above the joint, then the blood just started gushing.. Rinsed it out for awhile and noticed how deep, I just about lost it when I saw white bone...I didnt hit the bone was Surgeon-close. Cleaned it, wrapped it tight and off I went. Took a good month to heel right. I have a nice half inch scar to remind me everytime I use the knife. But razor blades still bite me every once and awhile. Hope it heals soon.

RE: x acto users beware
 

We were building a trailer at the shop years ago and a drill slipped and plunged staight through my shoe. In the top, out the sole and inbetween two toes without touching a thing! In my horor I pulled the drill out expecting to see blood and guts everywhere. The only thing I saw was my sock, complete, cooiled around the drill bit! And only one small hole in the top of my shoe. Not modeling, but building something and still a true story.
One fortunate guy, and foot!
JEB:D

RE: x acto users beware
 

You know that web between your thumb and forefinger? As a kid I put a number 11 right through that, point sticking out the far side. I still have the scar fifty years later.

In today's litigious society where a hot cup of coffee results in a big verdict you would think Xacto would be trembling in their boots over these types of injuries.

Who knows, maybe the Xacto people have some guys back in the lab working on a new knife that isn't sharp to sadisfy the legal department. ;)

RE: x acto users beware
 

Here's a tip,clamp your x-actos in a vise and put a small bend in the end of 'em. No more rolling off things.

RE: x acto users beware
 

I had a crazy experienence.

I cut my tip of my finger off when cutting along a straight edge cutting monokote. It hurt so much I dropped the knife and it landed on my foot. I had no shoes on stuck straight in. Now my finger was bleeding and so was my foot. I bent over to pull the knife out of my foot and as I came up I smashed my head into a nail coming out from under the workbench. Holy crap, was that a bad day. I got so mad I threw the knife at the wing of a nearby plane and it bounced off the monokoted wing and stuck me in the forehead. Thats was it no more building for that day. I guess the quart of Rum I drank before I started to build may have effected my judgement.

RE: x acto users beware
 

Reminds me about what I did in the early 70s. I was holding a horizontal stab in my left hand and was cutting a hinge slot near the end of the stab (the end nearest my hand). Well, the #11 blade went through the end of the stab and started cutting my left arm from the heel of my hand to 5 inches beyond. The arm popped open like a ripe melon. The wife got all woozy and couldn't take me to the ER. Had a neighbor take me. I missed all veins and tendons by the way. I haven't had an accident since.

RE: x acto users beware
 

May I suggest that a retractable blade scalpel and a retractable craft knife might be safer tools.
I use a Swan Morton Retractaway scalpel which takes No 10A blades and all similar sizes. It has the same rigid blade feel as a normal scalpel but retracts.

RE: x acto users beware
 

thanksguys its doing well no bandage back to work on the corsair! heals fast im surprised. the blade was clean so no infection . i know they would have made a big deal at the er and put a movement limit on it

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Im sorry but THAT was funny

RE: x acto users beware
 

Similar thing happened several years ago at work. I am an RN in surgery; we were just starting a procedure and the tech handed the surgeon a scalpel with a #10 blade, and he "fumbled the pass". It fell blade-down, went through his gown, through his scrub pants, and slid down his leg and stuck in the edge of his shoe next to his ankle..........and never cut him. Much better than the moron deserved, BTW.

I don't own an Xacto. I have a #3 long scalpel handle and use #11 surgical blades. They make an Xacto blade look like a butter knife; the point is much finer, the blade is thinner and they cut better and longer before getting dull. So far, I haven't damaged myself with that, but I'm pure hell with a Dremel tool, got gouges and scars on several fingers from using carbide burrs to shape small pieces.

I laughed 'til I cried regarding Electriceddie, so did my wife when I read the post to her.....so did my kids. Shoulda drank Tequila instead of rum:D

RE: x acto users beware
 

Well, I'm glad I have not had (yet) any incident with my x-acto. I always put back the plastic cover immediately after each use. That simple step must have saved me so far.

RE: x acto users beware
 

here is a knife story but of a different nature,we used to get tivek suits at work they are those plastic white contamination looking things with the hoods in them.anyways they have feet in them and we always cut the feet out cause they pick up oil and we use them because of really dirty work.this fella came over one day and asked why we cut the feet out and we told him cause of oil and dirt soaking into them he agreed was a good idea he asked how i cut the feet out i said before i put them on i just use a box cutter.that afternoon i see an ambulance go to the other shop next door,that fella cut the feet out of those things with them on....................needless to say he got 40 stitches in one leg and 23 in the other,he cut straight through the tivek suit and work boots all the way to the bone he later told us he didn't feel a thing i wondered how he cut himself once and didn't feel it and then again.i cant count the time i have cut my fingers with an xacto knife or stuck my fingers with a pin.............duck tape works wonders!!!

RE: x acto users beware
 

When the No. 11 blade jumps over the guide you're using to keep it cutting straight, it still keeps on cutting.
The finger looks perfectly normal now, with most of the feeling back..

RE: x acto users beware
 

Electriceddie, I laughed until I was in tears at your post! That was definetley a BAD day..... But, always funny when it happens to someone else.[sm=lol.gif]

My story goes way back to when I was 5 years old. I was building a Sterling P-40 free flight kit.
The strip stock in the kit was really bad quality. I needed some new 1/16" square stringers.
The only scrap balsa that was long enough was 1/8 In. So, being a 5 year old genius;) I stood the piece vertical and started slicing it in half, to create two pieces of1/16 in. balsa.
Well, after about an inch of slicing, the blade came out the side of the piece and sliced off about a third of my middle finger tip!
I dropped the knife and the balsa and quicky shook my hand. The blood flew everywhere....
When I looked at my finger I was absolutely shocked. I screamed for help and mom came running. She saw the blood everywhere and freaked out.
My dad got home from work at the same time. He looked at my finger and laughed! said "I bet you don't do that again!"
Then he picked up the piece of finger, put it in a bag with ice and he drove me to the ER where they stitched it back on. I still remember the doctor saying "You know, this is the only time you can flip me off without getting in trouble."
Looking at the stitches that night, I couldn't get over how much it looked like ants were crawling out of my finger tip.
I had a few nightmares about the "ants". 27 years of building later, I have not cut myself with an X-acto knife since.
The scar still reminds me to be careful!
Doug

RE: x acto users beware
 

I was using one of those round handled X acto knife's, and went to lay it on the bench and it started to roll off. I went to grab it and jabbed it thru my leg. It cut an artery and I thought I was going to bleed to death before I could get to the ER. The ambulnce driver had to hold pressure on it on the way to the hospital. The stretcher was covered with blood by the time we got there. Mine still got infected and I was taking antibotics.I still have the knife, but I put a zip tie around the handle so it couldn't roll anymore.

RE: x acto users beware
 

I was on a ROLL, after 27 years of building I was cutting some wing sheeting (new #11 X-Acto) with a yardstick for a guide and had my index finger on the wrong side pushing hard and cutting fast, it took half a roll of paper towels, the kicker was my other index finger had just recovered from a nasty APC prop strike, I was running my 50SX, I shut it down added some after run oil and flipped it and it must have turned into a DIESEL[X(] it fired with authority (NO GLOW DRIVER) and wacked my finger big time. A I created a new dance and said a few *&%$#@, at least both finger are matching now.