Burns..

[KevinD]

It cracked open where I poked it with the needle.

[jayco]

I got my latest burn punching two holes through a 3/8 in. dia. ring.

I had a hammer in one hand, a little punch in the other.

I should have used my holdfast tool,......but I didn't.

I temporarily forgot that round things seldom want to stay where you put them.

I did the first hole without a problem......but when I struck the punch to start the second hole, the ring went airborne and into my left hand.

Not a bad burn,.........but I'll remember to use the holdfast next time!

[Hillbillysmith]

My worst one from smithing has got to be when I was making a short "sword" (more like a mini machete) I was wearing shorts that day b/c it was in the middle of the summer and the machete slipped out of my tongs, hit the ground, spun, and stuck to the back of my calf. I didn't think to try and grab it with my hands or the tongs. The only thing that I could think of in the split second was to kick it off. Surprisingly, I don't have a scar from it but I had a nice indentation in my leg for 2 months.

Welding on the other hand, I am usually pretty cautious in my lab but the other day, I was doing an overhead fillet joint with GMAW, and I got a hot bead to nestle nice and snugly into the inner-elbow of my shirt. WOW!!!

Now, the WORST burn I have ever gotten in my life has got to be when I was 4 or 5 years old. I was carrying a handful of wood for my father through the house during the winter time (at the time we heated the house with an old kerosene heater). And because of the wood, I couldn't see where I was going, tripped, and fell onto the heater onto my stomach. I burned my stomach open and was bleeding everywhere. My parents had to take me to the hospital on a bed sheet that had blood on it and I had 2 bath towels sopping full of blood when I got to the hospital.

14 years later, I still have a nice remembrance....

[eburgblue]

Worst burn came when I was working in the sawmill. Was tempering a sprocket before installation. Had it all nice and cherry red ready for quenching when a guy came up and started talking to me. Had tongs in one hand but reached down and picked it up with the other. Suddenly realized something was not going to plan.

[djhammerd]

I grew up in rural North Dakota. The town had a dump grounds that everyone used at will. Lots of treasures out there. When I was very young, I used to go with my dad. One day, while he was unloading our trailer, I wandered away and found a large pile of white ashes. I thought it would be neat to jump into and scatter them. I was wearing medium height tennis shoes. I jumped. The coals were still hot. I had never (before) seen my dad run so fast. I got out of the coals, they they were burning through the shoe laces and tounge of my shoes. He cut the rest of the laces, unhooked the trailer and raced me to a doctor. I still have scars on my ankles, and that was about 55years ago.

Blacksmithing injuries? Probably about the same as most of you. Sometimes we all forget things are hot.

[Ted T]

Originally Posted by djhammered

Blacksmithing injuries? Probably about the same as most of you. Sometimes we all forget things are hot.

Diddo.......
I believe most of us are about the same. Except for me at this time in my life. I forget more often than most..... Oh, I just about forgot what were were talking about.
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

[Ian]

This ones about three days old now. Had a bit of 40mm by 8mm flatbar in the vice and was reaching for the calipers to measure for the next chisel mark. Just brushed the steel with the inside of my knuckle. Puff of smoke, thought it had just seared, but it blistered up and bled. Bending the finger is... interesting but seeing as I've 30 four foot lengths of this flatbar to press every 4 inches I'm just getting on with it.

[skunkriv]

. o O(wonder who he was flippin the bird at when he snapped that pic)

Bad place for that little nasty on your knuckle. For relief occasionally use finger to stir your beer. I would suggest COLD beer but whatever Happy healing Ian.

[matt87]

Originally Posted by Ian

...I'm just getting on with it.

Of course you are mate, you're British! Hope you heal up soon.

[gerald]

Vinegar seems to work well in taking the pain out of burns. Keep a bottle in the shop. Pour it on immediately after the burn, then soak a paper towel in it to lay over the burn during work breaks.