Why you should wear gloves, A.K.A. I bought a used winch...

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
08/20/2014 at 11:27 • Filed to: None

So I got a used winch from a co-worker for dirt cheap (I literally couldn't say no), and it was a good bit dirty, so I took it home to start cleaning parts up and getting it ready for use on the Jeep. My co-worker didn't know the make, it's nothing special but I did the research and found it to be a Mile Marker E9000 which retailed for about $600.

Anywho, in my efforts of cleaning this up, I was using my trusty 90 degree angle grinder with a sanding disk on the roller (the part that sits on the bumper and allows the winch line to be let in or out without it dragging directly on solid metal) when I caught a bur and kicked the grinder back directly into my finger, shaving off a good portion of the skin on top. The good news was that the disk was moving fast enough that the heat nearly instantly cauterized the wound. Don't think I got deep enough to damage the tendon but it's sore as a mother this morning.

Lesson here kiddos is be smart, wear your gloves (and other appropriate safety gear). My nice thick metal working gloves were mere inches from where I was working and yet my laziness allowed me to work without them, if I had them on I probably wouldn't have had a scratch on me (not that this is much more than a big, deep-ish scratch, but point is, safety first).

DISCUSSION (30)

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:30

Are you rewinding the cable so it looks nice and neat?

CAR_IS_MI > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
08/20/2014 at 11:31

Whole thing is being torn apart and cleaned / rebuilt so that I know it will work 100% when I need it too. And yes, that includes rewinding the cable (and maybe eventually replacing it with a synthetic cable).

Party-vi > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:32

Gloves don't help stupidity: I was wearing gloves using a cut-off disc and watched as the disc chewed through my glove and into my finger. No fucking idea what I was thinking about when it happened -__-

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:32

I got a way bigger grinder gouge than that a couple months ago. Wasn't wearing gloves, because I am SMRT.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:32

Sweet

OPPOsaurus WRX > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:33

I had gloves on a while back when using a chop saw. I reached underneath the blade to clear out some wood but didn;t wait til the blade stopped spinning. I felt the blade hit the glove and was quick enough to pull away. I'm pretty sure if I didn;t have the gloves on I would have had a nice slice in the back of my hand

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:34

watch out, they bite!

CAR_IS_MI > Party-vi
08/20/2014 at 11:35

"Wow... Spinny"

Famous last words

- Party-vi

Party-vi > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:36

This is essentially what happened. Also, sparks.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:36

After I got 5 stitches when I got my official "Busted Knuckle Garage Membership Card" I started wearing gloves (craftsman, cheap and last about a year or so with average do it yourself maintenance) and I've probably saved myself about 20 stitches in that time.

the 5 stitches was when a wrench slipped off while under my old 2004 Blazer and my knuckle went straight into a pointy spot.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:36

I put a stray strand of cable right through my finger working with the one on my quad, hate those things with a passion.

CAR_IS_MI > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/20/2014 at 11:37

I've had worse (much worse) but it happened and I looked at my hand like "shit", then I looked at my gloves sitting literally right next to where I was working and thought to myself "You know, you're a real fucking idiot sometimes".

d1ck > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:40

Once I was using a grinding disc which was worn out and very nearly lost my fingers. The grinder kicked back and went flying out of my hands and landed on the floor at my feet still on.

CAR_IS_MI > Party-vi
08/20/2014 at 11:40

Yes the sparks distract me too. Ohh pretty...

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:41

I only use gloves for welding. I am a idiot but I can do better work without gloves.

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/20/2014 at 11:43

I've had a couple of those. Never resulting in stitches though. The only times I've needed stitches was when the piston ring compressor slipped out of my hand while inserting a piston and the edge of the compressor cut through half my finger... and then the one time the knife slipped out of my hand and continued into my boot cutting the top half of my toe off... This is why I now wear steel toed boots.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 11:49

I remember when I was in high school, I was using a mig welder for some quick tac welds, and, as most people who have welded before know, some people who do quick welds on a mig, don't wear a hood. I was one of those people, I would set it, and then before I hit the trigger I would close my eyes and turn my head.

Well, one time, I hit the trigger too quickly, a molten hot piece of slag hit my eye literally half a second after I closed my eyes. I dropped the mig and didn't weld again for the rest of the day, from then on, I always wear a hood now.

Not trying to derail what you were saying, but it seems that laziness is a curse for us mechanically inclined people.

CAR_IS_MI > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/20/2014 at 11:51

I will usually only wear the blue latex gloves to do most things except for metal work (or anything with a saw) and welding.

CAR_IS_MI > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
08/20/2014 at 11:53

I've done that before, not directly into my eye but my face.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 12:01

Yeah I think I'd go for steel toes as well...

Yeah stitches makes you re-think your actions. And if wearing gloves saves me trips to urgent care, I'll wear my gloves.

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/20/2014 at 12:10

Yea driving yourself to the ER in a stick shift with a toe that's just barley holding on a hurting like a mofo is no fun.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 12:13

yea thats no good.

Maybe you should buy an automatic. lol

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/20/2014 at 12:14

F that noise. I've owned 2 autos, one was a diesel truck and it is the only thing I will ever own again with an auto.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 12:18

lol, I've only owned Autos.

Yes I'm more than capable of hopping into a LHD or RHD stick shift an zipping along.

A bad knee and almost 2 hours a day in the car means no stick shift for me.

When I was shopping for a classic i took whatever came along, I wasn't concerned stick or auto. Montego just happened to be an auto.

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/20/2014 at 12:25

There are some classics I would take in an auto but my primary vehicle will always be a stick shift. I got so bored driving my auto's that I honestly contemplated running myself off the road.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 12:27

lol.

I think that's the problem these days is that it's too easy to drive autos. you dont have to pay attention any more.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 12:28

It's fuckin scary, if anything had been different I would have burnt my retina's out. That sort of stuff is the rare but sobering reminder to use safety equipment. Because of all my past fuck ups I am really paranoid about safety now

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/20/2014 at 12:46

You really don't. Especially when you get into the higher end stuff with lane tracking and distance control. You could zone out for miles on end and not worry until your car beeps at you.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 12:57

yep.

It's unbelievable jumping out of the 68 Montego after spending an hour in it and hopping into the 07 Milan. Both Auto's but you don't have to pay attention to shit in the Milan. And I don't even have lane keeping, adaptive cruise control blah blah.

In the Montego you're listening to every sound, feeling every bump, always paying attention to gauges/warning lights. Just had to be more involved then.

BoulderZ > CAR_IS_MI
08/20/2014 at 13:23

Heal fast!

Gloves are a good idea when working with raw-edge sheet metal, too. Putting together a 2-piece duct for an externally-venting range hood, I didn't like the first alignment. Barehanded, I grabbed the two pieces and tried to slide them just a bit.

It let loose very quickly, and the flange was deeper than I had allowed. It sliced along the side of my left index finger, from just before the first joint at the metacarpals, up to the first knuckle. I was so surprised that I didn't feel it. No pain, just a sensation like I'd bumped my hand. I stared at it for a second, watching the blood well up and drip. I thought, "When I finally do feel it, this is really going to hurt. I'd better get this clean and cold and get a plan while I can think clearly." I washed it in the sink, marvelling at the layers of tissue. "Pretty sure I'm not supposed to see that."

Ice in a rag wrapped around my hand, I decided my best bet was to drive to the ER (wife was out of town, and I decided against freaking out the neighbors). The only auto car we have was my wife's then-new Jetta. I felt bleeding on the interior would make me feel worse than sucking it up and driving my (manual) truck. The hospital is close, but it felt like the 15 minute drive took an hour. I kept my hand elevated, which had a lot of other drivers confusedly waving "Hi!" back at me. Nothing like adding some humiliation to a stupidity-induced injury.

Somehow, I hit no nerves, tendons, or ligaments. 3 stitches inside the wound to pull the inner tissue together, and another 11 outside to close it. I drove stick back home with my hand swelled up like I'd grabbed a hornet's nest. Mindless TV, judicious amounts of alcohol, and a delivery pizza were the follow-up care for 24 hours. I did get the range hood finished the next day, though. Still works well now, about 10 years later (both the hand and the hood).