OK, I didn't lose the thumb but I took a nice sized piece off the end of it today at work.

I hate accidents, they just make me feel careless and stupid, plus I end up in a great deal of pain... which is always sucky.

I was drilling metal plates that are approximately 1/16 of an inch thick.

As I was doing the first one I ended up with a hot piece of metal landing on my hand, which made me think that I should get the gloves on. I looked up, saw the gloves, and then looked down and realized what could happen if the plate slipped, and just how easy that would be.

So as I was being distracted I reached up to flick the drill off, and at that second the plate flipped loose, spun around and took the pad of my thumb out.

So ironically, I actually got hurt, because I was trying to not get hurt. *go figure*

Once it was all over and I got bandaged up, etc. I have severed the pad of my thumb, but it was still attached at the tip... towards the end of the digit, so it was not a clean swipe, as I have about 3-4 mm of flesh keeping it on. Which is good. I had a similar accident a few years back and as long as the flesh isn't completely loose, then it will reattach.

Granted it'll turn black, hurt like a demon trying to claw through the flesh, and eventually fall off. BUT it will be fine in the long run.

Best part was after bandaging it up and informing my boss. He asks "so you'll be OK to keep working?".

UHM... "I CUT THE PAD OF MY THUMB OFF! I think I can go home at this point?"

Bruce

PS: I am not sending this email from work... so yeah, I got home.