hand tools when your old and falling apart

[nicebutdim]

Wonder why the forum bans the link to Screwfix? Not particularly helpful in instances such as this where it stifles discussion.

 

[ipf]

I have an old RS ratchet driver (No. 2 pozidrive) and it is probably my most valued screwdriver! These days folks your power tools for most things, but in the olden days this saved a bit off effort and does not remove the finer manual control of a traditional driver.

I used to like the old Stanley Yankee, long before pozi's or battery drills/drivers. It's hidden away somewhere. That used to save some time first first fixing.
Don't think it would be much good for richy, though...could be a bit vicious, that thing.

 

[plugsandsparks]

I have mild arthritis in my right knee, lower back and hands. It all kicked off during Covid when i was working flat out, as holidays were too risky and my clients were still active. Shortly after an intense project i was forced to take 2 weeks off as my knee was so swollen i could not get in and out of the vehicle. My Xrays showed it was not a total loss so not ready for new joints yet but since then i have done a number of workarounds and since then my back and knee are manageable without pain killers.
Here is my new regime:
1. Break up repetitive movements like, climbing ladders or even climbing in and out of a scissor, i.e. Last job involved a high number of warehouse lights - 8M up. Normally i would prep the lights in one go and then hang them to reduce scissor battery drain. Now i will break up the prep work which reduces pain in my hands and when i am in the scissor , i stay in the scissor - my assistant passes stuff to me so i dont need to get in and out.
2. Reduce lifting to an absolute minimum, i use clients pallet trucks to move tools and stuff around and make many light journeys instead of trying to carry a heavy load.
3. Ladder work to an absolute minimum, a scissor although not cheap, is so much better. A job i would have previousy tackled with a ladder, i just dont do.
4. Again on repetitive work, like multiple cable terminations, i split it up with other work, it does take a conscious effort to walk away from another 20 odd terminations but i pull a few cables, then terminate, then pull a few more etc.
5. Have a holiday after a big job.
6. Monthly appointment with Osteopath to keep my back from locking up
7. Occassionally take 600mg of Ibruprofen to get me through the day but its rare and not recommended for long term use.
8. Keep mobile, my Osteopath recommended walking for my back, it does help.
9. Also i have found my muscles are now too strong for my joints so i dont try and push my muscles to the max.

Appreciate you are suffering much worse as i am not quite bone on bone, but i have found the nature of our work creates a repetitive action which, for me, causes inflammation, and hence loss of movement and pain.

Hope this helps.

 

[Vortigern]

In my view, I think you need a new doctor. You need to address the health issues you have. Clearly that is not happening with your current health care regime. Bottom line, improve your health, not your screwdriver.

 

[pirate]

The Bosch Go2 electric screwfriver is a fat handled unit. It also has variable torque, so is great for faceplate screws when set at a low level. You can turn up the torque for other work or lock it off. It saves time and obviously you don't need to use your wrists as much as with a normal driver.

 

[Rockingit]

Cheap dog walking grade small tennis balls with a hole in them to slip over handles, same deal using pipe insulation.

 

[pirate]

For the record, as a tennis player, I always recycle my tennis balls by giving them to my dog-owning friends...and I mean quality balls, not cheap crap! These used balls, from a premium maker, last at least 3x as long as the cheap ones! Once the dogs get them, we're talking at least 3 minutes!
Here's a quiz!
If you can name the tennis balls I use, I will donate £10 to RNLI, so get guessing!

 

[nicebutdim]

If you can name the tennis balls I use, I will donate £10 to RNLI

No problem - Jim, Steve and Trevor. You can consider them named and send the donation

 

[DPG]

For the record, as a tennis player, I always recycle my tennis balls by giving them to my dog-owning friends...and I mean quality balls, not cheap crap! These used balls, from a premium maker, last at least 3x as long as the cheap ones! Once the dogs get them, we're talking at least 3 minutes!
Here's a quiz!
If you can name the tennis balls I use, I will donate £10 to RNLI, so get guessing!

All the Slazenger tennis balls used to be made not for from me in a factory at Barnsley. They made them there for many years. Closed now unfortunately.

 

[ferg]

I have heard others with knackered knees suggesting sitting on toolboxes rather than kneeling where possible.
I was considering the Wiha speed e 2 as oddly my elbow hurts after using a screwdriver for too long.