Thread: Hands Cramping

Originally Posted by mobjack68

Hey Paul, think about gloves....Now before you guys jump all over me about "the feel" or "dexterity", they make mechanics gloves (Lowe's carries them) that have a great feel and they also offer gloves for bikers (motorcyclists) that have gel inserts. I have a probelm with the vibration sometimes. My leather biker gloves have helped a great deal. Biggest problem is, you gotta stop every once and again and shake the shavings out

Gloves while turning may be a matter of enlightened debate. Generally advised against in the AAW Lathe Safety Guidelines, along with long hair and loose clothing. Probably less severe admonition(s) for an experienced turner.

Cheers,
Joe

I also use a South Bend 10" swing metal turning lathe and read the Practical Machinist forum. Many tales there of fingers, hands, and arms torn off because of using gloves.

Lots of good suggestions above, I do quite a few of them.

It did occur to me later that the morning of the cramps I had changed out 4 ceiling light fixtures at church. Two hours of screwing and unscrewing with a manual screwdriver, followed by two hours of finish scraping and sanding that afternoon probably did the trick.

Other than the gloves, I will incorporate all of the above.

Thanks to all.