Members Talltales08 Posted November 12, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 12, 2012 DOUBLE U LEATHER: Glad to hear you have so much work in front of you, congrats. As of a few seconds ago, the pain in my thumb is all but gone. I'm sure, as many have suggested, I was holding the tool wrong. You know how it goes, we all have to find our own comfort zone. I'll take your suggestions and not put a death grip on it in the future...lol Thanks everyone Quote
Chief31794 Posted November 12, 2012 Report Posted November 12, 2012 Wow.....what a timely post for me to see. I got an order from a horse show association about 2 weeks ago wanting 4 messenger/briefcase bags and 2 notebooks to give as awards. With my schedule and their awards banquet, I've got until Thanksgiving to finish them. Of course, they wanted alot of lettering and some floral tooling on them. I've been tooling between 10 to 14 hours a day, everyday trying to get all of it done. And my left thumb feels wrecked. Same tingling, nerve feeling that's being described. It feels like a sliver or something the size of a postage stamp. I can push on it and it doesn't hurt, but if I slightly rub it, pains goes half way to my elbow. I've been putting horse linament on it and it seems to be getting better. The thumb, along with my shoulders, neck, right forearm, etc. get real sore by the end of the day. But such is life. I'll post pics when the order is all done. They're gonna turn out real nice, but I may be a cripple when it's over....LOL. I'm looking forward to seeing them, I always love your work. One tip, you might try hitting the tool instead of your thumb! LOL Chief Quote "Life's too short to carry ugly leather"
Members Talltales08 Posted November 12, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 12, 2012 Everyone around the table was talking about hitting their fingers, at that moment I nearly hit mine..lol Quote
Members chadnorth Posted November 12, 2012 Members Report Posted November 12, 2012 It could the start of carpel tunnel syndrome. I have that problem and need to shake it off after the tingling. Its a constant battle for me. Quote
Members Talltales08 Posted November 12, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 12, 2012 I can only hope not. Quote
MadMorbius Posted November 19, 2012 Report Posted November 19, 2012 How about tennis elbow from the mallet? Quote
Members Talltales08 Posted November 19, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 19, 2012 Nope, elbow is fine...lol Thumb finally returned to normal so I'm going to pay close attention to how I'm holding the tool next time. Quote
Northmount Posted November 19, 2012 Report Posted November 19, 2012 How about tennis elbow from the mallet? Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are tendon damage due to sudden stretching / straining impact. Tennis elbow from a backhand hit, golfer's elbow from a regular swing. Golfer's elbow gets the inside (next to your body) side of the elbow, tennis elbow gets the outside side of the elbow. Same type of tendon / ligament damage, just opposite sides of the elbow. By the way, arthritis in your elbow can be misdiagnosed as tennis or golfer's elbow. I'd hate to see what your leather looks like if you are hitting that hard with your mallet! Happy stamping! Tom Quote
Members rosiart Posted November 19, 2012 Members Report Posted November 19, 2012 Saturday is leather class day at my local Tandy's. I went to my third class, and if I wasn't hooked before I am now. I finally felt comfortable holding the stamping tool just right, or so I thought. I didn't notice it till later in the day, but there's a slight "tingle" in the tip of my thumb on my left hand, the one that holds the tool. The tingle is still there, and though not painful, I can't wait for it to go away. Is this some sort of nerve damage that goes with this craft? Will it go away? I'll be gratefull for any input you have. I get the same thing and figured it was from the knurling on the tool? Quote Rosemary RosiArt's Blog
MadMorbius Posted November 20, 2012 Report Posted November 20, 2012 (edited) I'd hate to see what your leather looks like if you are hitting that hard with your mallet! Happy stamping! Tom According to my doctor, Tennis Elbow is an overuse / muscle strain injury attributable to repeated contraction of the forearm muscles used to straighten and raise your hand and wrist....start with a heavier mallet, and stamp out a basketweave on a 50" belt... A total of 700 musculoskeletal repetitive strain injuries (RPIs) were entered into the register, representing a fall of 13% from 2009, almost half epicondylitis (tennis elbow). RPIs appeared in all age groups, but mostly among 45–49 year-olds, most prominently in food industry, textile, sewing, footwear and leather work; and in other industrial work. Forty per cent of sufferers were women. Of all RSIs, 40% were recognized occupational diseases. I Lost 2 months of work while it healed, and now I'm terrified it's going to flare up any time I stamp out a border. I have to go "tools down" as soon as I feel a twitch. Edited November 20, 2012 by MadMorbius Quote
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