Things NOT to do when astrnomising

[Swoop1]

So, there I was, frustrated by the high altitude haze ruining my evening so I dismount the OTA from the tripod. As I'm holding the OTA by the dovetail I think "I'll unlock the mount so the counterweights don't stress it". With this genius Idea, I reach back and turn one of the locking levers, failing to appreciate what a horizontal counterweight bar is going to do when released. 

At least I didn't drop the OTA as my fingertip got caught in the rotating mount, crushing my fingernail.

I did swear a bit though.........

Nice bruise developing on fingertip and under the nail.

[Galen Gilmore]

[johnfosteruk]

Oops, medicinal malt time I say.

[laudropb]

Ouch that sounds painful.

[Stu]

Ouch! You won't do that again!  

[Ally8446]

Well they do say astronomy is a learning 'curve'....

I'll get my coat ?

[Tigaroo]

Ouch! I thought you were going to say you packed it all away only for the sky to clear for the most glorious views ever ...anyone?!! ? 

 

[ronin]

Seen that occur a few times, often the person doesn't managed to slow the whole lot down and bits start crashing.

Still think it best I read was "Do not to leave your dobsonian alone when there is a dog around."

To a dog it seems a dob resembles a nice big post. The dob owner was seriously of the opinion afterwards that dogs and star parties do not mix.

[michaelmorris]

OUCH!

If it has bled underneath the nail it could start hurting in a day or so.

[triton1]

They do whizz round don't they hope you feel better soon.One thing I have learned is single malt and astronomy don't mix so I always wait until I'm packed away.?

[JOC]

Things NOT to do when astrnomising

Spell it correctly it would seem :-)

[dtastro]

Sounds painful...made me wince just reading it.

[laser_jock99]

4 hours ago, triton1 said:

One thing I have learned is single malt and astronomy don't mix so I always wait until I'm packed away.?

Or least get everything all up and running before you pour yourself a well deserved glass.....

Edited May 15, 2017 by laser_jock99

[Waldemar]

It's too late now, but the next time a thing like this happens, the best way to prevent pain is to carefully drill a little 1-2mm hole in the nail, so the pressure of the bleeding will be releaved. In that way the nail will not be loosened from the nailbed by the pressure of the blood and the subsequent clotting and you will not loose it.

I did that several times... it does not hurt when you are carefull. As soon as you see blood, stop. And use a drill-press, so you will be in total command. 

I know this sounds like torture, but it really is the only way to prevent the pain of the pressure underneath your nail...

Sanitize the drillbit with a flame first, of course

Edited May 24, 2017 by Waldemar

[Gina]

OUCH!!!  Indeed !    It's true about letting the blood out and relieving the pressure.  No additional pain either but needs a lot of courage

[Davey-T]

Best thing to use is a paper clip straightened out and heated up red hot in a flame, you can then melt a hole in your fingernail and have a nice burning smell as the blood spurts out 

Dave

[DaveS]

Oi you lot, I'm about to have my lunch!

Seriously though that's a definite ouch moment, though if I tried using the drill-bit I'd likely run it all the way through.

[Guest Tuomo]

2 hours ago, Waldemar said:

It's too late now, but the next time a thing like this happens, the best way to prevent pain is to carefully drill a little 1-2mm hole in the nail, so the pressure of the bleeding will be releaved. In that way the nail will not be loosened from the nailbed by the pressure of the blood and the subsequent clotting and you will not loose it.

I did that several times... it does not hurt when you are carefull. As soon as you see blood, stop. And use a drill-press, so you will be in total command. 

I know this sounds like torture, but it really is the only way to prevent the pain of the pressure underneath your nail...

Sanitize the drillbit with a flame first, of course

Dont know if you are doctor or not, but my friend (who is) did the same thing. But he did it just by using hot and thin sewing needle. It was bloody, but it worked!

[Gina]

Ah yes, I thought I'd heard of using a red hot needle.  You'd need a steady hand though!!

[RayD]

40 minutes ago, DaveS said:

Seriously though that's a definite ouch moment, though if I tried using the drill-bit I'd likely run it all the way through

Exactly what my old Dad did years ago.  He was working in his garage drilling a piece of wood with his hand behind it, and came indoors with the drill bit through his finger, and I had to take him off to hospital to get it removed 

I really feel and sympathise with your pain.  When I was working on the tools as an engineer this kind of thing was commonplace, and as others note just relieve the pressure and it'll be fine.  Just don't do it again as it really hurts when you do the same place twice 

Edited May 24, 2017 by RayD

[johnfosteruk]

The other day I was imaging sol and when I was done I crouched done to take off the wedge. I put it on the table and stood up, forgetting that the Dec clutch was off! How dare the scope swing around like that.

Result:

No major harm done and it may have even knocked some sense into me as my gramps used to say but it hurt rather at the time. 

Edited May 24, 2017 by johnfosteruk

[Davey-T]

Got some nice pictures of when I Skill sawed the end off my thumb but don't want to put Dave off his lunch 

Dave

[RayD]

5 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Got some nice pictures of when I Skill sawed the end off my thumb but don't want to put Dave off his lunch 

Dave

Noooooo.  I'm not having my lunch and I still don't want to see that!  When I electric planed my finger tip off a few weeks ago that was painful and bloody enough, skill saw the top of your thumb off can stay in your private album 

[Davey-T]

4 minutes ago, RayD said:

Noooooo.  I'm not having my lunch and I still don't want to see that!  When I electric planed my finger tip off a few weeks ago that was painful and bloody enough, skill saw the top of your thumb off can stay in your private album 

My son took me to A&E and while the nurse was trying to clean it up he was elbowing her out of the way to take pic's with his phone to send to everybody, the yoof of today, got no respect 

Dave

[RayD]

Just now, Davey-T said:

My son took me to A&E and while the nurse was trying to clean it up he was elbowing her out of the way to take pic's with his phone to send to everybody, the yoof of today, got no respect 

Dave

Ewww.  No respect but guts of steel!  I'm cringing just thinking of it.