wimpy wrists

[che]

Keep in mind most EVERYTHING I cut is usually near to horizontal:

Today I spent a little bit of time cutting firewood this afternoon....didn't even use up a full tank of gas. I had a couple smallish trees I wanted down, thought they'd be good to practice wedges and hinges, etc. (I'm glad no one was watching...I was quite bad. )

I found it difficult to hold the saw (Shindaiwa 488) horizontal for these cuts. Got it done...realized I need ALOT of practice.

Got home. Started dinner, and even draining the pasta was really hard to do....my wrists felt weak and hurt.

Is there some special tricks or secrets to this or do I just have wimpy girlie wrists? If so...anyone know how to stengthen wrists? (I do have problems with Carpal Tunnel sometimes)

Thanks,
Che

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Che,

when you flat cut do you roll your right hand to the side and use your thumb on the throttle? Eliminates the twist.

You must slide your left hand down the tube handle, right?

Do you kneel down to get closer to the cutting? Working at arm's length is terrible ergo positioning.

Don't forget to take your Vitamin I

Tom

 

[MasterBlaster]

Do you remember that old movie where Rachael Welch was getting schooled by a gunfighter how to shoot?

The wrist-developing exercise he showed her?

Just a thought.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Che, you might be hanging on too tight to the saw, change back to the smaller saw once in awhile, it will seem alot lighter. Hanging on to tight can cause fitigue. Not saying you are doing this, but I thought I would mention it. Saw use will also strengthen your grip and reflexes. It is also ok to hurt from head to toe, it's a good sign. After a good rest, you will want to get right back at it. It's all good.
John

 

[Qatanlison]

I'm sure you're not afraid of the saw, so keep it close to you, lessen the load of the saw by leaning the right hand on your right knee or even the saw itself when working with longer bars on large saws.
Are your saw equipped with falling dogs? These really helps when you've aligned the cut and started it.
And just keep on falling - you'll recruit new muscle-fibres at a quite high pace when experiencing the pain you described so soon after the work.

 

[che]

I guess I want it to be too easy RIGHT AWAY. I asked too much.

These were trees that were thwacking me in the head as I push past them with a round bale on the tractor's front loader...it was a spur of the moment decision to whack them. They are smallish hedge trees, with their branches curling down...nestled in amongst some older locust in a rocky (shallow) ditch along the roadside. No where to really get comfortable.

While I have no qualms about kneeling down for a larger bucking cut...dogs helping me out....I'd have to say this time I was concentrating more on getting a nicely shaped wedges, meeting exactly at the same point, etc. Never gave a thought to the weight of the saw...just did it. The trees were quite small too....not much to really work with...which probably worked AGAINST me.

I'm not sure I was hanging on too tight, but as I was having trouble keeping the saw 'up' and the bar parallel to the ground....it's definitely a possibility. I'll sharpen up the Jonsered and bring it with next time also, the Shindaiwa isn't ALOT heavier....but even using it for a bit of limbing (instead of the Jonsered) I can 'feel' it. But I've been lazy lately and only grab the one saw....I'm getting MUCH better at not being 'stuck' and have gotten away with it (do have a bow saw behind the truck seat though.)

I'm not sure about hurting from head to toe being a GOOD sign, John. I've been taking it more as being a "HEY!!! You're old and out of shape!" sign. But thankfully....our wonderful Vit I can fix alot of that.

I'll keep working on it thanks for all the suggestions. I'll watch HOW I'm holding the saw...and my body...next time I try it. I'll also find an ill placed...slightly LARGER.... hackberry or cherry to practice on.

Thanks,
Che

 

[ricksvar]

Mornin Che,

You might try a Ace(elastic type)bandage on your wrists for added support.

If you think they might make your look weird we will just call you MUMMY.

Rick

 

[tony marks]

i aint gonna be callin no women manning[please excuse che,i mean operating,,] a chainsaw ,wimpy.

 

[jokers]

Hi Che

I`d bet that the way you are holding the saw here is with your wrists curled. If I`m right, I`d be surprised if you didn`t have some carpal tunnel irritation which can make your wrists incredibly weak. Try to stand closer to the saw so that your wrists can be straight and relaxed, thumb on the trigger as Tom D. suggested.

Russ

 

[Pacific]

A good wrap handle works good so your wrists are not twisted causing strain. Like Gypo says you might holding the saw too tight try not squeezing so hard next time you don't need to crush the handles with you hands

To strengthen your wrists you need to do wrist curls or take a dowel and tie a rope to it with a weight on it then try roll the dowel and lift the weight like a winch.

 

[che]

To strengthen your wrists you need to do wrist curls or take a dowel and tie a rope to it with a weight on it then try roll the dowel and lift the weight like a winch.

I have a memory like a sieve....lots of holes...but I do remember this excercise from a PT some years ago after a hand injury. REALLY boring to do....but sounds like I'd better try it. Maybe I'll be able to open my own jars after a while then, too. Thanks.

Tony, I'm not calling ME wimpy...just my wrists (and hands)...so its ok.

I'm bringing in my computer to the 'computer doctor' this morning, who knows when I'll get it back. When I get back online hopefully I'll have something good to report about all this. Thanks again for all the suggestions...I'll work on it.

Mummy Che

 

[MasterBlaster]

Uhhh,

Rachael Welch?

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Che, you're syptoms may be a result of the damp cold weather. It is time to trade up to an Arctic- heated handles and carb. I have a demo 026 Arctic with your name on it if you like I can send it for you to try out.
John

 

[che]

OK Butch...I googled the movie...decided it may not be in my best interest to ask....but I'll bite: WHAT was Raquel's excercise? (cringe)

Hi John,

I think the problem is bad technique and old wimpy girlie wrists. I appreciate your offer...but I'm really just breaking in this one.

I've got everything I need backed up, and all these daylily gift certificates printed...I guess I'd better dismantle the computer and get it out. See you all.........................

 

[MasterBlaster]

Kinda like Pacific said, Che. The gunfighter had Rachael roll a stick with a rock attached by a piece of twine up and down, over and over again. Strengthening her wrists and forearms.



Then she went off and killed all tha bad guys!

She looked good doing it, too!

 

[Stumper]

Rachel boys, it is spelled Rachel. Having been to Bolivia I have to say that she was definitely not the norm in appearance among her countrywomen.

Take care of yourself Che.

 

[glens]

Hey Stumper, evidently her dad was Bolivian, but <a href="http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0000079/">Raquel Welch</a> ain't.

Che, I've found trees are harder to work until they get around 14" where there's then enough room for both a wedge and the bar in the back cut.&nbsp; If you make the upper face cut first, you can look through it while making the lower cut and they seem to meet much easier that way.&nbsp; It's almost magic, like the way a coping saw seems to just follow all on it's own the face along a mitered edge of trim.

Glen