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Hi Guys,

I was touching up a fret job on a set neck electric today.The strings were attached, just loosened and taped to either side of the neck.
I decided to "quickly" hit the frets on the buffing wheel.

No, I didn't launch the guitar!
What I did do was catch two strings on the bass side. One snapped and the other came off the post,(Bigsby trem),and caught me right between the eyes.
The ball end left a round hole in the bridge of my nose!
It felt like a hockey stick.(A friend stopped in and asked who punched me!)
The scary part is an inch in either direction and I may have lost or seriously damaged an eye.
I have at least 10 pairs of safety glasses at various points in the shop, but didn't even consider putting them on for a "simple and quick" task I've done hundreds of times.
This time, I'll heal.

Please remember to protect you eyes!

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

Thanks Paul! We cannot hear that enough!
I cant tell you how many pictures ive seen posted here with someone working on a machine with out glasses on!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Close call is right! I think we get all "manly" and think we don't need glasses. Well, losing an eye is not manly.

Wow,close call! You are very lucky Paul.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

When I was a kid, I got caustic in both of my eyes, and had to learn how to get by without eyesight. It was only temporary, 2 months, but in that time I developed a keen awareness of what life is like for a blind person. Interestingly, prior to my accident I had no interest in music, but the radio became my main source of entertainment, and I've loved music ever since. I started the seventh grade as the "blind kid", but when the patches were removed I had my sight again. This is the voice of experience speaking don't forget your safety glasses.

Al

Thanks for sharing that, it's a good reminder to protect an irreplacable thing.
I have to be really aware of it- I only have one good eye, I don't get a second chance!

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

I need reminders like this. I'm sure I'm not alone on this and I'll think twice the next time I walk into my shop. Thanks for sharing. Clinton

Close Call Paul, Glad to see you did not lose your eyesight!

Thanks for the reminder

Serge

Paul,
   Thank God you didn't hit either eye. Noses come and go, but eyes are once in a lifetime, my friend. I've had my nose briken 11 times as a boxer and martial artist and have always recovered and even had surgery after I retired from sport fighting to get it straight and to where my wife likes it again.

    I used to wear contacts all of the time, but haven't been able to for ten years and never will be able to again because of a string end hitting me and causing a raised scar on my cornea in my right eye. One little incident with an eye and I was affected for life. I'm glad that my contact wearing days were the only thing that ended because of it.


   You can't see the scar and it doesn't affect my vision with my glasses, but if I try to pop a contact in it lifts the edge and allows my eyelid to flick it right out my eye.

   Good advice to all...Take the two seconds it takes to slip on a pair of glasses or a shield when using any machinery in your shop. It takes far less time than that for an accident to happen and a lifetime to recover if it's serious enough and if you recover at all.

Glad you're OK this time!
Kevin Gallagher/Omega GuitarsKevin Gallagher38854.9709837963

Word up Paul.

Paul, I'm glad you weren't badly hurt. Close calls like that give me the chills. Seeing the occasional injury report on this forum does keep me more safety-concious.

I'm old enough that my near vision isn't so hot any more. I bought some bifocal safety glasses and I always wear them in the shop--I couldn't see anything if I didn't. One advantage of getting older, I guess.

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John Cavanaugh
Saint Paul, MN
"What could possibly go wrong?"

Paul sorry to hear about your accident and glad it wasn't worse.

Posting these warnings are a good reminder and have made me practice "safe lutherie".

I am glad you are alright!
Cheers
Charliewood

Thanks guys.

I guess this is a good example of learning from the mistakes of others(ME)!

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

Glad to hear you're ok.

I had an eye injury two weeks ago. Taking out an old cast iron combustion stove that was cemented in. First whack with the hammer and chisel and a large (1"x1"x1/4") piece of concrete hit me in the eye. Put a hole in my contact lens and my cornea, bruised my eye pretty badly. Doc says the contact lens probably saved my eye.

My daughter had been playing dress-ups with my safety glasses and I couldn't find them. Last time I let her do that.

Glad you are alright Paul.
I keep safety glasses all over the shop-probably 5 or 6 pair so I always can find them.
I had a simmilar incident on the buffer years ago-a quick touch up on the head and the buffer grabbed the strings. Since then I never buff guitars with the strings on.