AV Gloves

Has anyone used AV Gloves and do they actually work? I have seen many different types and a wide range of prices. Does anyone have any recommendations: brand, fingerless, material, stand alone or fit inside a work glove? My problem is actually using my string trimmer. After about 30 min my hand tingles and itches. Thanks.

For a trimmer I don't think it's gonna matter what ones you use.

However I don't like 'em because they are too thick. I wanna feel what the saw is doin'. Especially when fallin'.

Gary

For the weed wacker I wear those yellow gloves with the grid of sticky stuff laid over the fabric. I think they are called gripper gloves but that may be wrong. Bailey's has them for a good price. These gloves make it so you don't have told hold the tool as tightly as with bare hands and make a world of difference for me. For chainsaw use I wear rigging gloves by who ever has the best price when I am ordering though I do want to try the White Ox with the elastic.

I use the stihl anti-vibe gloves..They are weard feeling at first (makes the handles feel big) But after a couple hours on them they break in quite well. I use then on my D/a sanders as well!

If moisture isn't an issue, Atlas Therma Fit are an economical choice.

On the ATV, I use waterproof hunting gloves.

I bought a pair of Youngstown xt's from Baileys to use on my non-AV 090 and they really make a difference. It's the only way I could run that saw.

I bought some fingerless weightlifting gloves a couple years ago with padding on the palm and I love 'em. Not good in winter though, lol

I have a pair of the Youngstown gloves I use with my weed eater. I have a Crapsman and without them my hands turn numb.

I dont have a need for them when cutting seeing I dont run Stihl saws opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

The trimmer is either a cheaper one that just vibrates as a part of the cheaper design or you need a new head. When the head gets out of balance it will be killer on your hands/arms.

Depending on the trimmer you have I'd say get a new head, or replace the trimmer. Much better than buying gloves to try to cover up an underlying problem.

Old Line State said:

Does anyone have any recommendations: brand, fingerless, material, stand alone or fit inside a work glove? After about 30 min my hand tingles and itches. Thanks.

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If your hand is tingling, you are already experiencing symptoms and it is good that you are looking into the A/V gloves. The vibration problems are cumulative - they don't go away, so you want to do everything you can to keep them from getting worse. This might include getting a new string trimmer that vibrates less.

To be effective, the gloves need to be full fingered, but not so tight that they restrict circulation. The foamy-palmed, cloth-backed gloves sold by STIHL for $25 can be found in safety catalogs without the logo for less than $15. They are not a high end solution, but better than plain work gloves at reducing vibration.

Better A/V gloves cost more (surprise!) - in the $35 to $50 a pair range, but remember, we are talking about the use of your hands. With full blown hand-arm-vibration-syndrome (HAVS) or 'white finger', or any of the other vibration related issues, you have trouble even gripping or manipulating simple things. So consider indulging / investing in a pair.

Vibration white finger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NIOSH Document: Chapter 5c. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors: NIOSH Publican Number 97-141 | CDC/NIOSH

Some of the gel-filled gloves can make it difficult to flex your fingers, due to the thickness of the gel. My personal favorites are the ones with the tiny, bubble-wrap style air chambers in the gloves. They come in a variety of styles to fit your preferences (e.g. stand alone, or as a liner, etc.).

This is one brand/model that i have used and like:
IMPACTO Ergonomic Personal Protection, Anti-vibration Glove, Impact Gloves, wrist supports, kneepads, insoles they are supposed to meet the US ANSI and EU ISO standards.

Remember, that they will also have a life and need to be replaced after a while, but easier to do that than replace your hands. You can extend the life of these types of gloves by using them only with the vibrating power tool, and switching to less expensive, basic work gloves for throwing chunks of firewood, etc.

Philbert

Thanks for all the information. I will have to follow up on the different gloves suggested.

My trimmer is a early 90's Homelite that actually says made in the USA. I think the model number is ST285. How can I tell if the head is out of balance and is the problem? Since this is a chainsaw site does anyone know a site that covers string trimmers?

Old Line State said:

Thanks for all the information. I will have to follow up on the different gloves suggested.

My trimmer is a early 90's Homelite that actually says made in the USA. I think the model number is ST285. How can I tell if the head is out of balance and is the problem? Since this is a chainsaw site does anyone know a site that covers string trimmers?

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Do the vibrations change along with the speed of the head/engine? If so then you have something out of balance. If you take the head off and it's still out of balance then it's probably clutch related, if not then it's the head.

There are many dealers and techs on the site that can help with more than just chainsaw questions, but I wouldn't go trying to convert the forum over anytime soon

I am not sure. I want to say it always feels like a constant buzzing at any speed. Guess I will have to pay attention to it over the weekend.

sawfun9 said:

I bought a pair of Youngstown xt's from Baileys to use on my non-AV 090 and they really make a difference. It's the only way I could run that saw.

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I am very fond of my youngtowns, too. They are a great fitting glove.

Now, bear in mind that if you are feeling tingling that you may also be using too tight a grip(but ALWAYS have a firm grip on power equipment, just not a death grip). I had never heard of 'WAVS' or 'white finger' until I arrived in Ireland last. Here's the info they have on it on wiki:

Vibration white finger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AV gloves go a long ways to suppressing the amount of high frequency vibration, but they do little about the lower frequencies that do the most damage. So always take a decent break, and often, if you do notice you are feeling fatigued or tingling. Remember, some people are more sensitive to vibration than others. Know your limit. If you tingle, best to stop.

I use gel padded motorcycle fingerless gloves.

They run about 15 - 18 dollars and last a couple of months.

Doubt you will find better even if you pay more money.

Hulk gloves

I've been using these Hulk gloves. They definitely help. My left wrist is shredded, Doc wants to fuse the bones but I'll lose like 80% range of motion. Not ready for that yet so anything to prolong the inevitable

Perfect Gloves Do Not Exist

All gloves wear out eventually. Some last longer than others. Kevlar is very good but you will pay through the nose for it. Even they will be ripped apart by thorn trees. Frankly, old fashioned pig skin gloves work for me.

The idea is to protect your hands. Your hands are a lot more valuable than the gloves that protect them.

i bought these today to give a go.

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