Automotive Style Air Hammers

["Walter S. Arnold" <walter@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

There is a German made pistol grip air hammer for stone, IMHO it has
the same basic design flaw as the automotive hammers. The German one
is marketed as being "ergonomic", but I feel it is non-ergonomic.

With the Culturi, Trow & Holden, Dallet and similar hammers, there is
a straight line from the tip of the chisel to your elbow. Any
vibration passes right through, and since there is no twist to your
wrists, its easier to keep a very loose hold minimizing vibration*,
and to move around to change the cutting angle. With the pistol grip
hammers the line from the tip of the chisel to your elbow goes
through two right angle turns, at your knuckles and at your wrist.
Therefore any vibration, and any force you might apply from your arm
or body, puts stress on your hand and wrist.

*I generally hold the hammer and chisel very loosely, just floating
in my hands and guiding them; I haven't found that as easy to do with
pistol grip hammers, I have to "control" them more.

Walter S. Arnold  * walter@---------------
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