Look, Maw, no hands!

I nearly lost a fingertip to my stationary belt sander. HINT: Always close the gap between the belt and table to the bare minimum to prevent the belt from abrading the table (2-3 mm) and so that fingers cannot be pulled down into that space.

I was shaping a narrow, thin piece of maple when the sander grabbed it, wedging my index finger between the sanding belt and table. I lost a little skin and most of my fingernail.