From:
"Walter S. Arnold" <walter@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date:
Sun, 06 Jun 2004 10:23:28 -0500
Subject:
Air hammers
At 05:22 AM 6/5/04, StoneSpider wrote:
Quoted text begins.The easiest to use was the pistol grip Froelich &
Kluepfel: a lovely tool.
End of quote.
In my personal opinion, the pistol grip air hammers, billed as being
"ergonomic", are much less ergonomic and more uncomfortable for extended
use than the traditional Cuturi/Trow & Holden types. My reason for this is
that you need to cock your wrist to use the pistol grip hammers. I keep my
wrist straight and relaxed with the traditional straight air hammers.
Generally I have a very straight line from the chisel, through the hammer,
to my wrist and forearm. This minimizes stress on the wrist, and any
vibration moves smoothly. With the pistol grip any vibration hits a wrist
which is not fully supported by the forearm. (although, for carving, I get
almost no vibration with the traditional hammers, because I just cradle the
hammer and chisel softly in my hands and guide them, I don't squeeze them
or fight them. For stone cutting- moldings profiles, etc., I'll hold the
chisel tighter... but that's another discussion).
I change my hold constantly, sliding my hand to different positions on the
hammer (overhand, underhand, or at different parts of the hammer) depending
on the angle and height of the work, so that the wrist remains straight.
(straight, but NOT stiff or rigid). You don't have that option with a
pistol grip, you're locked into one position regardless of the angle or
height of the work.
Also, squeezing a trigger puts more tension into the hand, a tension of the
muscles in an angle which doesn't correspond to the angle of the wrist or
the movement of the hammer, creating more conflict within the hand. So,
while the pistol grip tool might seem seductive at first, consider whether
it will be appropriate for your particular application for extended use.
Walter S. Arnold * walter@---------------
Gallery: http://www.stonecarver.com
Gargoyle postcards: http://www.stonecarver.com/postcard.html
- References
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