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Anti-vibration gloves or tool handle coverings?

C

Chuck Engstrom

Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
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Have any of you found anti-vibration gloves and/or tool handle wrappings or coverings that offer significant reduction of the vibrations transmitted into our hands and forearms as we turn? At 82 I'm finding that I can't stay confidently on the lathe as long as I used to, and I'm hardly surprised. But I'd like to find whatever I can that would diminish the sort of tingling sensations that develop and make me feel that fine tool control is on the verge of being compromised.
Thanks for your suggestions.
 
I sold anti-vibration gloves to a truck driver who was experiencing hand problems with the vibrations of the steering wheel. I worked at Fastenal at the time. Check with them.
 
Last year, I was having problems with arthritis in both hands. Complained to the doc about it (pretty much knowing that not much can be done), but....he sent me to a Occupational Therapist . I went for six visits....got lessons on things that I could do to help my hands. Exercises, heat, stretching, etc. Well worth the time and effort. It helped a bunch. Did not cure the whole problem...but did help. Might be worth your time and effort.

I find that when I run the chainsaw for a long time (hours) and when I use the gas weed whacker, I get the tingling. I use gloves with padding and it helps. But, I found the best thing was to limit my time doing the work. I do not get the Carpel tunnel problems working on the lathe.
Good luck. Keep at it.
 
I have a couple of JohnJordan foam-wrapped handles, not sure if anyone makes an equivalent. Look into soft bicycle bar wrap for tool handles and/or padded fingerless bike gloves. Gloves around lathes can be hazardous. I do wear fingerless gloves in the shop as otherwise my hands are unbearably cold, but it is a liability.
 
Cinelli, an Italian bicycle manufacturer, has made some of the best handlebar tape for 40 years. I've used it on bicycles many times. You'll need to terminate the ends of the wrap with a couple wraps of electrical tape. A bunch of colors are found at Amazon. Youtube can assist with getting a successful wrap.

This tape has a slightly thicker middle 1/3 zone along its length as padding. A good wrap puts the edge of the next turn of wrap just to the edge of that thicker middle zone. This will create a fairly even grip surface and minimize the "hills and valleys" of the tape. Pull each wrap moderately firm, enough to keep it securely in place, but the tape should not be stretching. Pull firm enough to just before visibly causing the tape to stretch. This bar tape may have a wax paper release strip on the back side, covering a lightly adhesive strip that aids in keeping the bar tape in place. That adhesive strip should be on your tool handle and not on the underlapped wrap.
 
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Well, I know they make a lot of different "handle wraps" for golf clubs, hockey sticks, and bicycle handles. I am sure there are others. Probably any big box hardware store would have something that would work. My first thought was about how do you grip the tool? For sure, if you have a death grip on it, it will wear you out much more quickly. Longer handles help, mostly for better leverage. If you are turning bowls and have a sliding headstock, slide the headstock down to the tailstock end which will allow you to stand up straight, and have a better grip on your tools. Same with a pivoting headstock, use that feature.

robo hippy
 
Most of my large hollowing tools have a foam handle around 32mm in dia and about 6mm thick they are readily available in your neck of the woods. Also I have used the bicycle wraps fixing the ends securely can be challenging. I use short finger gloves, but Ilike your suggestion Richard palm gel fingerless cycling gloves, thanks.
 
My preference is for foam handles. The original Thompson Tool handles are my favorite. The current Thompson handles for me need a wrap during the winter months as they get mighty cold but during the summer the coolness is always sort of a surprise.
 
I used to have a turner's callus from bowl turning on my left pinky and ring finger from the shavings going across them as I used gouges. Since I switched to using scrapers for all of my heavy roughing, not an issue any more. Oh, I did get some nice coloring on my fingers, kind of like chain smokers have....

robo hippy
 
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