Do steel hammers cause wrist damage?

[the-ex-files]

I have been in the HVAC trade now for almost two years. Just recently I was talking to a couple of older carpenters, and they said by using a steel hammer(like I use) for over a period of years,I would end up with carpel tunnel (which is like wrist cancer, I guess). In new houses, I noticed that almost all the carpenters use wooden handled hammers. Every once in a while my wrist does ache, and it got me thinking. Is this true? Any firsthand experinces or stories similar to this? Thanks.:)

[RMX500]

wood buffers out the vibration from recoil when you use the hammer and that lessens the long term wear it can cause on your wrist.

it's just like using hanlebar on a quad that vibrate less.. they are better for you too in the end if you ride a lot.

[wilkin250r]

Originally posted by the-ex-files
Every once in a while my wrist does ache,

It's not the hammer, you just need a girlfriend :blah:

[the-ex-files]

Every once in a while my wrist does ache,


Oh Boy! I should have worded that different!

[lil400exman]

I work with a framing crew when work is slow. We all use a long handle wooden hammer with the curved ends. To prove the point my uncle (owner) took my Eastwing hammer and took his hammer and pounded it with my hand on there. It rung like the liberty bell:eek2:

He then gave me his hammer. He did the same thing less then 1/2 the vibraton. It made a BIG difference. Hardly noticable. EVere since that i have been a firm believer.

[SGA]

Originally posted by the-ex-files
Just recently I was talking to a couple of older carpenters, and they said by using a steel hammer(like I use) for over a period of years,I would end up with carpel tunnel (which is like wrist cancer, I guess).
Carpal tunnel syndrome is not cancer. Cancer is uncontrolled division of cells in the body.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is nerves being pinched in the wrist, causing weakness in the hand. People that do repetitive
movments with their hands can get it. Mechanics, carpenters, assembly line workers, etc. Go to this link below, it will explain carpal tunnel syndrome.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ctsfs.html

[RMX500]

Originally posted by SGA
Carpal tunnel syndrome is not cancer. Cancer is uncontrolled division of cells in the body.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is nerves being pinched in the wrist, causing weakness in the hand. People that do repetitive
movments with their hands can get it. Mechanics, carpenters, assembly line workers, etc. Go to this link below, it will explain carpal tunnel syndrome.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ctsfs.html

he didn't mean literally that is was cancer. he just meant it's like cancer cuz' it screws you up and doesn't leave.

[SGA]

Also, RMX500 is right. Cutting down on jarring vibrations to your hands and wrists helps alot.

[batgeek]

CTD can be relived via surgery. also, many people have had great results lessening CTD with shark cartilage tablets :D for you holistic/natural medicine types.

[lukester720]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by the-ex-files

Do steel hammers cause wrist damage?

Guarantee'd! You should see what steel hammers have done to some of my fingers! I could only imagine what they could do to your wrist! Did you ever watch the movie Casino when they smash that dudes hand with a hammer. :eek2:

Just playin', I have friends in the carpenters union and they all use wooden handle hammers for that reason.

[bama400ex]

i prefer wooden handles over metal. i have a 24 oz. deathstick. it will "f" some nails up! lol http://www.deadontools.maasdam.com/ds_hammers_1.html

[CowsBitePeople]

never heard of a hammer being bad but it sounds reasonable, u can also get carpel tunnel from typing alot:ermm:

[bigbadbrad]

my father has always used a eastwing, and the eastwing hammers has become my favorite.
we have broken to many of thoose wooden hamers, but after a long day of nailing the vibration does get to you
how much did that daeth stick cost, i like the look of it, it might be my next hammer.

[Guy400]

"...and on the eighth day God created air nailers..."

[bama400ex]

the death stick was about $38 at the lumber yard. try one out its aolt better than an estwing. replacement handles are only like 7 bucks. ive had mine bout 3 mons and i aint had to replace the handle yet. we have any kind of nail gun you could ever need, but you cant always use them everywhere.

[Guy400]

Originally posted by bama400ex
we have any kind of nail gun you could ever need, but you cant always use them everywhere. No, but I'll use them everywhere I can. No sense in swingin' a hammer when I can just squeeze a trigger :D

[bama400ex]

yea no doubt. id probally hate my job if i had to build everything with a hammer. i feel sorry for all the old school framers.lol

[Bubba]

stanley makes a hammer that has a tuning fork inside the handle, so it has no vibration at all. Works pretty good, but kinda heavy for a hammer.

[Hammer trx450r]

Originally posted by Guy400
"...and on the eighth day God created air nailers..."

find me one that don't leave a tacked nail in micro lambs and ill put my hammer away

[Hammer trx450r]

Originally posted by bama400ex
yea no doubt. id probally hate my job if i had to build everything with a hammer. i feel sorry for all the old school framers.lol

For you framers out there, we used to hand nail everything even decks and sheathing. What would suck is if there were no saws!! sawing by hand sucks

[Hozed]

Originally posted by Guy400
"...and on the eighth day God created air nailers..."

lol... ya they are great... although about 6 weeks ago i put a 16d nail right through my right index finger... knicked the bone.. but shes all good now... mostly... its still feels a little numb at the tip of my finger.

[deathman53]

I used to use a eastwing, Stanley makes a anti vibe hammer, Rigid used to make one, I had one, loved it but can't seem to find them any more. I could hit that hammer against a steel beam and no vibes. I hurt my wrist and couldn't use a wood handle or metal handle. I lost that hammer now I have a wood handle for the few times I use a hammer now. I am a electrician and I used to do alot of new contruction work. Now I don't use a hammer too often.

[bigbadbrad]

hey Hozed what part of maine are ya from?

[SGA]

If I had a hammer,
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land

I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

You old timers will know what this is.;)

[Ryan]

Originally posted by SGA
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

You old timers will know what this is.;)


Must be somethin wit dem kentucy boyz :eek2: .

[tinner]

Residential work will wear you out before a steel hammer will.:D

[SGA]

Originally posted by tinner
Residential work will wear you out before a steel hammer will.:D
You mean as opposed to commercial work:confused:

[kx515]

SGA is right about CT. It really has to do with repeditive motion. There are a few ways that you can deal with this.

1. Engineer the hazard out-- Use a nail gun.
2. Administative controls-- Limit the time you use the hammer and take a short break (15 min's or so) every hour.
3. PPE(Personal Protective Equipment)-- Gloves to help with the vibration or just Change to a hammer with a shock absorber in it.

I deal with these kinds of things every day.
I am a safety engineer for a construction company.

Hope this helps. Good Luck and Be SaFe.....

Jeremy

[Hammer trx450r]

Originally posted by kx515
SGA is right about CT. It really has to do with repeditive motion. There are a few ways that you can deal with this.

1. Engineer the hazard out-- Use a nail gun.
2. Administative controls-- Limit the time you use the hammer and take a short break (15 min's or so) every hour.
3. PPE(Personal Protective Equipment)-- Gloves to help with the vibration or just Change to a hammer with a shock absorber in it.

I deal with these kinds of things every day.
I am a safety engineer for a construction company.

Hope this helps. Good Luck and Be SaFe.....

Jeremy

I can see you company gets alot done:huh 15 minute break every hour hahahaha

[bama400ex]

Originally posted by kx515
SGA is right about CT. It really has to do with repeditive motion. There are a few ways that you can deal with this.

1. Engineer the hazard out-- Use a nail gun.
2. Administative controls-- Limit the time you use the hammer and take a short break (15 min's or so) every hour.
3. PPE(Personal Protective Equipment)-- Gloves to help with the vibration or just Change to a hammer with a shock absorber in it.

I deal with these kinds of things every day.
I am a safety engineer for a construction company.

Hope this helps. Good Luck and Be SaFe.....

Jeremy
when in doubt, safetys out. you probally wouldnt like our jobsite. the first thing we do to new skil saws is take the guard off them. it makes them 10 times better ;) . i once got wrote up by a safety man because i was threading a 3/8'' nut on some allthread without gloves on :eek2: all joking aside it pays to be careful. i always(well most of the time) pay attention to whats going on around me and what im doing. what will get you hurt is getting in a hurry, thats always the reason i get hurt. ive shot my finger with a nail gun, and ive also shot a 2 inch staple in my forearm. ouch