Have you noticed it more with cold weather? As mentioned numerous times vibration is the main culprit. Make sure your chain stays sharp, as it dulls some will tend to try and push the saw through the wood, just adding to muscle fatigue. Feelings of pins and needles or fingers cold to the touch when its not cold isn't anything to ignore. I know of two individuals with Raynaud's one of them has lost 2 1/2 fingers on one hand and 1/2 a thumb on the other. The other fella's hands will turn a slate blue and hurt if they get cold. Look at trying some type of mitigation like trying a pair of padded mechanics gloves or trying a different chain type. I do sheet metal work for a living and one of the things I did was replaced my bars with tungsten as opposed to steel, and further padding the side I'm grasping with foam tape. This went a long way and my hands thank me for it.
Any of you have issues with your hands?
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I’ve tried this with a crazy leg cramp. It worked great but I can’t stand mustard I had a real hard time eating a spoonful of it.
Haha it’s not in me to sit on my ass. Even if I’m sick and don’t do much one day I get angry at myself for wasting the day.
I had to go to physical therapy years ago from a car accident. They did all kinds of tests to get baselines on everything. He was impressed with my grip strength but I know that has declined from what it was for sure. I am also rediculiously inflexible. I do have a grip strength thing I should dig it out.
I don’t think temperature makes a difference. I try to hold things as loose as I can and still be safe. I do wear gloves but their usually just crappy cheap leather gloves. I cut for an hour or so tonight after work with the 346 and a fresh chain. I forgot how grabby a freshly ground chain is. My hands never closed up on me but it was only an hour or so (two tanks of gas) then clean up with the backpack blower. But I can feel it my hands are definitely sore.
So next decent day I’ll be splitting. Hopefully I figure out why it’s puking fluid outta the vent. Gonna check for air leaks as suggested on here.
I thought it stood for Old As Shi...
39 sir 39!
?? "SIR" !! thank you sir! and I am only 29 with only 33 years of learning and still being educated.
Apparently I do my wife keeps telling me I can’t keep them to myself
Well, maybe the flexibility needs some work as well. Every muscle needs to be properly warmed up before you use it - even the singing muscles (for those of us who sing) or the lips or fingers, for those of us who play trumpet or piano. A good stretching every time is important.
The other day I was taking down a bunch of trees and used my Dolmar. It is fairly new to me. I was amazed at how smooth it was - SO MUCH LESS vibration. I immediately thought of this thread. Maybe you ought to try a smoother saw.
Skeans
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jjcard41
ArboristSite Member
Is that your wife in your avatar? That’s something you could focus on instead of chainsaws and wouldn’t cause you pain!
Seriously though, my issues come from the same repetitive motion when splitting wood all day. My left forearm cramps up and I have to stop. The healthier I eat, the more I exercise, and more quality rest, I have noticed I don’t cramp as much and don’t get fatigued nearly as much.
Something that has really helped me is antivibration gloves. I have a pair from Stihl that have worked the best so far. They tend to run small on size.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/gloves/antivibration/
Most of my problems have come from running snow blowers.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/gloves/antivibration/
Most of my problems have come from running snow blowers.
No, I think the saw just runs a whole lot smoother - nothing to do with the mounts. My other saws are good quality ones with good mounts but they don't run so silky smooth. More power than the Dolmar, but more vibration.
Oh, heck ya...started in the late 90s
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in both hands, now in both shoulders.
Can't close my right hand into a fist any longer, the joints are too screwed up
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in both hands, now in both shoulders.
Can't close my right hand into a fist any longer, the joints are too screwed up
jjcard41
ArboristSite Member
Yeah...you definitely have problems sir!
Is that your wife in your avatar? That’s something you could focus on instead of chainsaws and wouldn’t cause you pain!
Seriously though, my issues come from the same repetitive motion when splitting wood all day. My left forearm cramps up and I have to stop. The healthier I eat, the more I exercise, and more quality rest, I have noticed I don’t cramp as much and don’t get fatigued nearly as much.
I’ve been asked many times if that is my wife. Some through pms lol. That is not my wife she’s not as tan lol.
Thanks I’ll try a set!
