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I've been kicking this can down the road for years, but I finally got a job that involves cutting so much melamine board there's no way I'm doing it with a circular saw.
I watched multiple safety videos before even opening the package, and now I'm just sitting here staring at it wondering whether I should fire it up and cut off a finger or two. I'm fucking terrified of this thing.
Good. A healthy respect for the tool will help keep all your digits in tact. Just exercise proper safety precautions every time and you'll be alright. I've got at least one push stick with a notch in it as a constant reminder of why you never put your fingers near the blade.
Yeah, I think the only powertool that I'm more scared of than a table saw is a chainsaw. I guess the day I stop feeling afraid is when I should stop using it.
I would argue that you should be more wary of the table saw
the chainsaw is farther away from you and you have some time to react. your fingers are right next to a higher speed blade on a table saw and you have no time to react. and you tend to make many more cuts with a table saw than a chainsaw, leading to more opportunities for injuries.
this goes for any tool, but especially table saws: if you're "just making one last cut", stop and take thirty seconds to reset and think about it. do not get complacent.
Routers are pure terror
Modern routers scare me even more. They have things like soft start and such. I've got this little Craftsman cordless palm router, bout it at Lowe's, it's got plenty of power for a trim router, it cuts fine, it's got soft start and it runs quiet when the bit isn't cutting. It's terrifyingly friendly. I'm scared someone out there isn't going to pay it the respect it deserves because of how gentlemanly and courteous it is and end up spraying phalanges across the shop.
Lathe. Lathe will fuck you up.
Nah, fear isn't better than complacency because it can also keep you from doing things safely. Like being afraid to have a push tool too close to the blade means not having enough control over the piece you are cutting.
A healthy respect for the dangers and then taking the necessary precautions is the best course of action. Make sure you have the right tools to push stuff through it without needing to have your fingers close. Not the little plastic thing it probably comes with, but a large thing with a wider pushing part so you have more control. Then adjust the height and use the safety thing that keeps it from kicking back for flat stuff.
Chainsaws aren't too bad, just make sure you have the right safety gear. Chaps, ear protection, and eye protection (impact resistant) for most things. Gloves are nice for rough wood and I'd consider a helmet as important as chaps if you're working on trees or anything taller than you.
Power tools are like horses. They can take you anywhere or they can put you in the hospital. Be cautious and be educated.