indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
+1 on the Blue Goo, use it almost every night on the lower back.
I like the ones with the little air bubbles better than the gel. It does not make sense, intuitively, but seems to work. Because there are lots of little bubbles, instead of larger pieces of gel, I also feel that I have better dexterity on the trigger and grip.
Philbert
It seems to make sense to me. The air bubbles would compress and act like little air bags or nitrogen filled shocks, and instantly adapt to demand. The gel just shifts position, it doesn't compress.
So what brand gloves are those?
Zog,
The air gloves I use are Impacto - they make several dozen different kinds.
The gel (or air filled foams) are also supposed to dampen the vibes, but they sometimes limit dexterity. If they made them more segmented, it would help. STIHL, and several other companies, offer segmented foam A/V gloves at a cheaper price ($10 - $25 per pair) which I think are better than plain gloves, but not as good as the good gloves.
Philbert
Some other threads on this topic:
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/174576.htm
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/147510.htm
http://www.arboristsite.com/commercial-tree-care-climbing/105405.htm
Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks again for sharing your experiences and knowledge. Of course, here in WI, I have never bucked logs big as a bus as RandyMac speaks of
If I wear a wrist brace a couple hours each day, or wear the stihl support gloves shown below while working I have no trouble at all. The gloves have a stiff wrist support and gel. I am curious if anyone has experience with this type of glove compared to other gloves and if I could find a better glove for wrist support. Wrist support seems critical for me, but I do have a wrist brace I can use separately. I think I may have slowed down my work a little over the years, and try to take it easy on the body, can't hurt.
here's Soren Eriksson with his 6 point limbing technique.
Good thread with much great information from all. Both parents had the surgery, pop just 2 months ago. Doc said he waited to long and may never get the feeling back in some fingers, but the pain is gone. I know I am heading down that road...
Question to lmbrman - You got a PN on them gloves? I like the support the appear to offer, wouldn't mind giving a set a whirl. Don't see them ont eh Stihl Website though.
dw
I have been wondering how a power-lifter's brace on the left hand would work.
Wrist supports and braces are somewhat controversial, depending upon how they are used. Generally, it is preferred to maintain and work with a straight, or 'neutral' wrist posture. This puts less stress on the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles when applying force.
However, if you task requires you to bend your wrist and you are wearing a brace that restricts this movement, you can end up fighting the brace, putting even more stress on those parts. Rigid wrist supports can also induce compensating postures, which can lead to new problems developing in the elbows or shoulders.
Depending upon your tasks, varying the height of the work, the choice of saw, your work methods, etc. can affect your wrist posture. Sometimes we have control over these - sometimes we don't.
So a light support that 'reminds' you to keep your wrist straight can, in some cases, be preferable to a rigid support. Sometimes, doctors or therapists will prescribe wearing of wrist braces at night, to discourage sleeping with curled wrists, which can compress the nerves and restrict blood flow.
Some of the vendors I listed in an earlier post sell A/V gloves with wrist supports. I wear A/V gloves without them. If your gloves do not supply the wrist support you want, you can find short, elastic wraps (i.e. 'Ace bandages') with hook and loop closures (i.e. 'Velcro') at most drug stores or at altheletic sporting goods stores.
Philbert
......
here's Soren Eriksson with his 6 point limbing technique.
[video=youtube;xX9Xj0faq3g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX9Xj0faq3g[/video]
From about 20 years ago. I know there's going to be plenty of critics of this, but instead of finding reasons why it wont work for you (there are plenty) try to look for a couple ways you might be able to use it. This is a nuts and bolts demonstration of smarter not harder. Yeah i know, I never get to fell trees that straight and skinny with such small branches either, but the basic idea of letting the saw do the work is excellent. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that this guy could outcut myself and probably a lot of us on here in almost any kind of wood and use less effort and fuel and still be less tired at the end of the day.
Using the saw in ways that the natural motion of the chain and inertia of the engine benefit you lets you use less energy. Look at the guys grip, you can see he must be feeling a lot less 'vibe' by not having to get a death grip on the handles. I know I get my best fastest work done when I'm using a light touch, work becomes almost effortless. Planning ahead and using good technique are really the thin end of the wedge for all saw users.
Shaun
And I'm typing this 3 weeks later. Cured the numbness in my right hand "outer" fingers. I've missed a couple weeks of work, but the company covered me. 27 years of keyboarding likely contributed to the problem.
Can't wait to start sawing again, but they say it will be a few more weeks before any heavy lifting. I'm getting more movement in my arm every day, mostly it's just sore inside and tender around the incision.
here's Soren Eriksson with his 6 point limbing technique.
[video=youtube;xX9Xj0faq3g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX9Xj0faq3g[/video]
From about 20 years ago. I know there's going to be plenty of critics of this, but instead of finding reasons why it wont work for you (there are plenty) try to look for a couple ways you might be able to use it. This is a nuts and bolts demonstration of smarter not harder. Yeah i know, I never get to fell trees that straight and skinny with such small branches either, but the basic idea of letting the saw do the work is excellent. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that this guy could outcut myself and probably a lot of us on here in almost any kind of wood and use less effort and fuel and still be less tired at the end of the day.
Using the saw in ways that the natural motion of the chain and inertia of the engine benefit you lets you use less energy. Look at the guys grip, you can see he must be feeling a lot less 'vibe' by not having to get a death grip on the handles. I know I get my best fastest work done when I'm using a light touch, work becomes almost effortless. Planning ahead and using good technique are really the thin end of the wedge for all saw users.
Shaun
Just got home from the woods and my hands never felt better. Did not even wear my antivibe gloves or the stihl support gloves that I alternate between. I had been running a 346,357 and my trusty 262, alternating when empty. Tried something new and no tingling or numbness on the ride home. Could be a partial solution.
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