Update

Well, I just wanted to update everyone on my progress after the injury, just as promised. From what I can understand, the surgery went as well as could be expected. Supposedly, I can get anywhere from 25-75% of its use back. the nerve could be another story, though.

The strange part was that there was almost no conversation before the surgery and very little after. My followup appointment wasn't much different and that is where I learned that things weren't as rosy as I thought. Oh well. my own research into my injury had led me to the same conclusions. There's a reason that area of tendon repair is called "no man's land."

Day after surgery

Accidents happen in the shop and almost all of us are lucky enough to avoid anything serious. I can't count the number of times I've had to address minor cuts and scrapes. So far I've been able to deal with this one in the same way and just say "dang it!" and move on. The things we work with are sharp and can be dangerous, but so can so many other things worth taking the journey. We must always be aware of not just those tools in our hands, but our surroundings and and thinking "what if x happens" and plan accordingly whenever possible.

So now I am sitting here making sketches of a bassinet for my son and counting the days until my next appointment so that I can get started in the shop again. I'm figuring stitches should be ready to come out then and there won't be much more worry of the whole dirty shop/infection thing going on. Then it will just be a matter of keeping the darned thing held in place so I don't mess anything up with the repaired tendons. I'm thinking just working one handed will be the best bet for that, which is the main reason that i need to get started on the bassinet. Only 3 months left, and my pace may be even slower than normal!

So hopefully next week will have even better news and a post on actual woodworking. I'm not sure about all of you, but I really can't wait! Sitting around is going to kill me!

Oh! If anyone has some great ideas for bassinet, or helpful advice from anyone who has built or owned one, let me know!

Josh

Well...huh...oops.

I know it's been a little quiet lately, and for that I apologize, as that was not the original intent. Fortunately, it's been an eventful Holiday season, but unfortunately I had a fairly severe workshop accident as well a day or too prior to Christmas. I was paring some end grain when I shifted just wrong and my knee gave out. I moved my off hand from over the blade to out in front to try and catch myself on the bench. Sadly, not all my muscles did the same thing at the same time and there was still a little forward momentum on the chisel. To summarize, instead of dropping the tool, I "decided" to stick it into my finger, severing two tendons and a nerve in my index finger. Oops.

After 3-4 hrs in the ER (drove myself) I got a couple stitches, a surgery scheduled, and a compliment on how sharp my tools were. No marks on the cartilage or bone, meaning there wasn't a whole lot of momentum, just sharp. Good job I guess?

Word to anyone out there: Tools are replaceable. Try to drop them rather hurt yourself. I know there's usually not enough time to think and act, but if for some reason there is, just let go.

So enough about that. It interrupted things for a few hours, but accidents do happen and unfortunately, this was one of those that I'm not sure if I could have avoided, other than sitting for some of the finer chisel work. My knee evidently cannot be trusted.

And here is the project I'd been working on. It is a drink carrier for a good friend of mine.

It's made completely of oak and in a future picture will be finished with a semi-gloss poly to protect it from the mild moisture from whatever drinks may find themselves in the carrier. Yes, there was blood on one end, but a scraper plane and some mineral spirits took care of most of it. Here are some pics from along the way:

The ends hold the 2 pieces of loose 1/4" oak that make up the bottom of the holder. The bottom will be contained by the sides of the holder.

The card scraper did a wonderful job after I trimmed down the dowels. Everything nice and even. For some reason it was actually easier with only 1.5 hands, and I'm not sure why.

And yes, I couldn't stay out of the shop after the accident. The same day I actually finished up what I'd been working on...

and the poly...

Overall, I thought it turned out great. The project was done just in time, even with the interruption, and seemed to go over very well. So now it's on to the new projects. I also have quite a bit more to share from the last couple weeks, but those will be on other posts. 

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Josh