I tagged my finger with the table saw once. No permanent damage other than psycological. I would be happy to completely avoid using powertools, but then again some of the things you can make with them are a lot of fun.

Consider getting a power feed unit. Yes it is another power tool, but it does the pushing through the blade for you. It will probably also improve the quality of your cutting.

> Today, while I was ripping some accent strips in pine for my Guillemot's
> deck, I pushed the strip with my bare hand and ... whoops! my 10 inch
> table saw blade got my left index fingertip.

> I am quite well. I'll get some plastic surgery in a near future and I'll
> be able to use my 9 7/8 fingers again.

> Folks: You can learn a lot from a dummy. Please take care of yourselves
> and ALWAYS use push sticks, featherboards, guards and every protection you
> can get, OK?

> Sorry, no JPGs this time. :)

> Marcelo (learning the hard way).