Paging the one armed man

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I figured this ought to get someone to have a look, even you two handed weirdos   I was told there was a gentleman around here with limited/no use of an arm and I wanted to pick your brain.  I was curious how you get around your shop using the tools you need to cut, grind and weld.  I have a few ideas in mind that I'm considering for myself but I wanted to hear your experience.I lost the use of my left arm about 12yrs ago in an auto accident.  I have some anterior delt and bicep for really light support but no use of my hand.  In essence I can do a curl but that's the extent of strength and use for my left arm.  With that in mind I'm no prissy girl.  I workout regularly, athletic/sports all my life, I do manual labor, chop my own firewood, work on my own truck, ride motorcycles and in general ain't afraid to get dirty and work like a man.  I own my own leather business building gun holsters and gear (oh yes, I shoot/hunt too).  In short I'm very familiar with customizing and modifying to find ways I'm capable of performing the desired task.  I'm looking for no particular thing to solve, just wanted to hear ideas or considerations when doing some metal fab.  Thanks!  Oh, yes I like long walks on the beach, yes I'm married and yes I have a sister - she's married too.  Last edited by Monica; 08-31-2010 at 12:31 PM.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Monica,Kudos to you for a "can do" attitude in the face of adversity.I truly respect people who meet life’s challenges head on and succeed.Cheers!
Reply:You rang? :-DI figured this ought to get someone to have a look, even you two handed weirdos  I was told there was a gentleman around here with limited/no use of an arm and I wanted to pick your brain. I was curious how you get around your shop using the tools you need to cut, grind and weld. I have a few ideas in mind that I'm considering for myself but I wanted to hear your experience.
Reply:After Diane Lane and ~Must like dogs~  long walks on the beach just lost their status with me   I know I know, ~unfaithful~ is out   sheesh, there is a lady present fellasAnywho,  Building holsters is no EZ task, I got to see a bit of Bianca Holsters in Temecula once. Quite a place.  I suppose you have looked at prosthesis of various kinds and sorted all that out?  I once had a one handed guitar player come to the store for awhile, good player and used a small glove like item to hold the pick, it snapped into a clamp. IMHO what Drs. say is "true" may not be at all... the human is more resilient than they would imagine.  Today digital items are developing faster than lightning, so there wil be something useful soon, count on it.  So, please keep looking for ways to do what you wish and want and lights will come on when needed.Last edited by PapaLion; 08-31-2010 at 10:45 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966Monica,Kudos to you for a "can do" attitude in the face of adversity.I truly respect people who meet life’s challenges head on and succeed.Cheers!
Reply:ha, yeah i know what you mean i used to trail ride a trx450er before i sold it two months ago. what I ended up doing was flipping the throttle over the bars to the left side, so i worked the clutch & throttle at the same time, went without a front brake (interesting lol)... a fun trick I found was wool socks... no kidding. they worked great as a glove. i still use them for the sheet metal class when i need a barrier but not a glove. still wanna get a dual sport bike someday. Mom doesn't like this idea at all.speaking of, that's a pretty good idea using your mouth for the iron, i found i traded off, once i got the solder on there, i would put it down and swap the iron to my hand and work the iron, then stop, switch, pick up solder, add solder. and so forth.heres the thin grip grinder i found, maybe see if it's at the local home depot like mine is.grinderhorizontal band saws would be an option. you could also use a guide bar on one side and leave it stick up and stationary so you only need to apply pressure to one side to get it to go forward on a vertical bandsaw. like a table saw guide.as for the hot metal i figured I could put a wool sock under the glove and use an aluminum reflective pad add on as an insulator to the forearm, when i start welding with the miller 252 I think i'm going to need to invest in that as i destroyed my other glove in about 2 hours of welding...a local leather company sewed that up for me, the first time they just cut the fingers off, that made the glove to shoot and wide, second time around, i had them cut open the fingers and restitch it. works better this way but a cap of leather could help a lot.The previous version of that glove had a strap, and it was cool, however i found out quickly why it's a bad idea to make sure welding gloves don't slip off easily.... got a nice burn in class one day because i couldn't get my glove off fast enough."...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:The grinder is a Rigid!  I was wondering - a few months ago I picked up their one handed reciprocating saw from HD.  http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R3030-On...w/EN/index.htmI haven't used it a whole lot, mainly on some wood and pvc but it is pretty easy to use.  I'll have to go take a look at that grinder.  Thanks!I hadn't thought about needing to get the glove off fast but that makes sense about not having it strapped on.  Since I don't have feeling in my left arm (unless its elbow or higher) I usually end up getting cut, bit or burnt and don't know it until I get cleaned up and find the wound.  I try to be vigilant about where I lay my arm. Putting a cap of leather on the there would probably help you.  The top grain would protect a lot better than the more fibrous flesh side of the suede.  I might experiment with some of my scrap and see what's the thinnest weight and still protect.  Funny about the wool sock.  I did that when I couldn't find my Isotoner glove for my left hand.  It's the only glove I've ever been able to work all my fingers into the slots.That's crazy you went without the front brake on your bike  lol  I guess the upside is you were on the dirt were lots of rear brake is ok, unlike the street.  I'm still looking to add a little dirt bike to the mix, maybe a dual sport.  I wanted one forever when I was a kid but only got to ride my uncle's bikes when we went to grandpa's farm.  I don't blame your mom, most moms don't like motorcycles anyway.  But then when arider only has use of one arm, everyone around them is pretty surprised - "you're riding a what!?"Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Originally Posted by MonicaI've been looking for a small grinder but that's a real task to find one that comfortable yet still light enough with an easy operate trigger.  The other concern is handling the grinder.  When it's smooth it's smooth, but sometimes they catch and kick which can be ugly.  The hunt continues.
Reply:My personal favorite grinder is the new makita. It's the lightest and has the smallest diameter motor housing of any electric 4 1/2 angle grinder.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...atalogId=10053 <------ lighter and smaller hand grip than the makita....just sayinnothing fancy, just a few hot glue guns for metalwww.sicfabrications.com
Reply:This morning I was working with my 4" Makita and a cut off wheel... and just because I had to... I tried to see if I could even do that with one hand... Hmm... that is harder than it looks and I don't feel like i have control of the thing.  Well what if? you build a yoke which screws in to the handle threads in the head of the thing and then attach the yoke to an arm... could be a spring loaded arm or a very precisely controlled arc or whatever U think... then you could control it BUt you wouldn't have to support and guide it with the one good arm.   The yoke coud swivel giving you one arc, then the arm could move giving you a second vector and finally movement along the object could be a final direction... a ~ball joint~ maybe at the base of the arm, spring loaded to retract to a zero... maybe go looksee at some robotics type assembly line gear to get an idea or two.  The idea of using smaller air driven  sanders and grinders is excellent too... combined with a support arm... maybe? enjoy, Bret"gentleman"? well ok, IR but ~ U trying to ruin my "devil may care" facade here aboutsLast edited by PapaLion; 09-01-2010 at 03:13 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Sounds like when I attached an angle grinder to a plank with large hose clamps, and then attached that to my milling machine head to have a makeshift surface grinder.  It did what it needed to, what more can I say.That ridgid tool is nice!  I've heard many good things about that sawzall, but never saw the matching grinder before.  Both truly revolutionary designs.Oh, and there's a big difference between a 4" and a 4 1/2" when it comes to one handing.I'm ok with using the 4 1/2" for sanding (blending with a flap wheel, etc), but not really for grinding, and certainly not for cutting with one hand.
Reply:I'm comfortable with a 4.5" grinder one handing it, but a rat tail grinder is a completely different beast and is not capable of being one handed safely, i'm thinkin of pickin that rigid up when i get a paying job..."...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:Damn!  I feel inadequate, and I have TWO hands.  You both have my sincerest respect!Nctox,  Stickmate LX  235AC/160DC  HH210
Reply:near where i live they have a device that fits in a sawsall with a brush attachment and several file attachments dont see why a grinder attchment wouldnt work maybe an rpm issue  or perhaps a wired in foot switchmiller maxstar 150   hobart handler 210 w mig conversion hobart 250 arc force plasma cutter    boston ind cutting torch miller performance auto darkening helmet milwalkee 14in chop saw 10,000 watt generator huge drill press and industrial band saw
Reply:As many of you know I temperary lost the use of my right hand due to a stroke, fortunently I got most of the use back. Not only did I have to learn to be 1 handed I hand to lean to be a lefty. The first thing is to take your safety more seriously. Wear your leather for grinding as well as a full face sheild. Use a paddle switch grinder. No good could come out of it if a grinder kicked back and got knocked out of your hand still running. Realize that you will get tired faster because you'll be using you back more to position yourself than others do. Push yourself to do more each day but do it safely. I probably pushed to hard sometimes but got lucky a few times.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:Tresi, glad to hear you're making progress.  The one thing I haven't had to do in my lifetime of bumps and breaks is to learn to do everything with my weak hand.  I'm sure I'd be one angry bee.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:As some suggested before me an angle die grinder with a 2" disk or even a pistol grip air sander/grinder with a larger disk really would be safer than a 4 1/2 electric grinder. Funny, when aircraft was my career an electric grinder wasn't even in my tool box and now days unless it's too drive a scotch brite wheel it's a forgotten tool.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:Will the die grinder be as capable as a 4 1/2" angle grinder?  Can someone compare the two?  Let's figure working with 2" square tubing/angle iron on down; eventually some 3/16 or 1/4" steel plate.At this time I don't have a garage compressor.  Like every other tool, it takes time and cash to acquire.Last edited by Monica; 09-02-2010 at 08:59 AM.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:The bigger tool can do more and can do it faster, but it weighs more and is physically bigger and (usually) has more power behind it.  Which is why it weighs more and can do more faster.A 9 inch grinder can grind faster than a little 2 inch disc on a little air grinder or electric die grinder.  But the 'little' tool is lighter and easier to hold and (generally) control and can (usually) get into tighter/smaller spaces.Like most things, it's all about trade-offs.In this/your case, you need to trade off some of the power and weight and speed of the tool in order to be able to use a tool one-handed.  And I don't think even someone the size of say Brock Lesnar could really one-hand a 9 inch grinder!  So you have to accept the trade-off of using a smaller lighter easier to control tool to use it one handed.NOTE:  Even a 'little' tool can still do a lot of damage in less than the blink of an eye! Let's say a 1/4 inch (shank diameter) die grinder with a 'little' cutter in it, mabe a 1/2 inch OD carbide burr or so.  That little tool may be spinning that cutter tip at 25,000 rpm.  Which means that the OD of the cutter is moving at a speed of 3272 ft/min or 37 mph.  If or when that tool 'grabs' or kicks-back, it could happen F-A-S-T.So brace yourself as best as possible and keep the rest of yourself out of the path of the tool/cutter especially the path the tool/cutter will take if it grabs/jumps or kicks-back.btw, a 4.5 inch grinder running at 11,000 rpm has the OD of the disc/wheel/etc running at 12,959 ft/min or 147 mph.You can get a 'die grinder' in electric powered or air powered versions.  Like most things, there are trade-offs there too.  Electric:  Self contained, has power cord, heats up to varying degrees (no pun intended   ) as the electric motor uses electric power and some of that is converted to heat from resistance in the motor and friction in the moving/rotating parts.  Is generally more efficient (if that matters) in converting electrical energy to rotation compared to an air tool.  Is generally bigger and heavier, to varying degrees, than a 'comparable' air-powered tool.Air tool:  Needs a source of compressed air as its power source, has an air hose instead of an electric cord, is (generally) smaller and lighter than a 'comparable' electric tool, gets cool (or down right c-o-l-d) as it is used (because the air rushing through the tool expands and thus cools it down).  Is way less efficient (if that matters) in converting the (original) electric energy (assuming an electric motor on the air compressor) into rotation compared to an electric tool (because there are energy efficiency losses originally converting electric power into compressed air in the compressor and then in converting the compressed air into rotation in the air motor in the air tool).  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Originally Posted by MonicaWill the die grinder be as capable as a 4 1/2" angle grinder?
Reply:What do yall think of bench grinders?Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:Bench grinder?  Sure.  But sometimes you still have to bring the tool to the workpiece and not the workpiece to the tool (bench grinder).  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseBench grinder?  Sure.  But sometimes you still have to bring the tool to the workpiece and not the workpiece to the tool (bench grinder).
Reply:I think U mentioned U were in DFW area? There are several WW fellas around there i think. Maybe you can go ~test drive~ some gear without having to go buy it and see what is the direction to proceed.   U can come here and test some stuff, all 3 girls are married off or gone and my wife and me rattle around in the house.. there is a catch, it's a long way #1 ... and  it's 116 today, sheesh. Maybe some folks closer can help. A yoke on the piece attached to the unit and at the base of the yoke a ball joint with limiting stops for directions 1 (bear down) & 2 (rotate), then a  joint at the support post with limits for direction 3 to rotate in a large arc to move along the item... U cannot be the only person who needs some help controlling a grinder?  Illness, injury, and other reasons,safety of course, and even above average control and precision?  this could be a good accessory for grinders.Last edited by PapaLion; 09-03-2010 at 01:15 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more toolsOriginally Posted by PapaLionI think U mentioned U were in DFW area? There are several WW fellas around there i think. Maybe you can go ~test drive~ some gear without having to go buy it and see what is the direction to proceed.   U can come here and test some stuff, all 3 girls are married off or gone and my wife and me rattle around in the house.. there is a catch, it's a long way #1 ... and  it's 116 today, sheesh. Maybe some folks closer can help. A yoke on the piece attached to the unit and at the base of the yoke a ball joint with limiting stops for directions 1 (bear down) & 2 (rotate), then a  joint at the support post with limits for direction 3 to rotate in a large arc to move along the item... U cannot be the only person who needs some help controlling a grinder?  Illness, injury, and other reasons,safety of course, and even above average control and precision?  this could be a good accessory for grinders.
Reply:Monica, I like your drawing. Build it.Do consider air tools. A big compressor is valuable in so many ways that you can't even enumerate them. The tools are smaller and tethered with the hose. Easier to attach to forearm and  triggers don't require much pressure to activate. With a good compressor, you have lots of power.My experience is that you need a big compressor, and can get away with lesser tools... Of course the better tools are still well worth it...My electric milwaukee grinder has tapped hole in the top for the handle. attach the handle to top and re wire switch to top... Might be easy with the right grinder.
Reply:I saw a guy working as a welder with a prosthetic arm.  He had the hook/claw thing down to a science.  I was amazed while watching him.  You couldn't tell he had a prosthesis on by how he worked.  I saw it so I know he had it on, but to see the work and how efficient he was you wouldn't know it.
Reply:Monica, that would work fine! I like the idea, you'd just have to make a yoke type of design that has both sides screwing into the handle threads on each side with bolts and maybe around the guard to keep it from moving forward and back?"...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:Originally Posted by MonicaJust for fun on the grinder I did a sketch of the idea that I'd like to see.  Actually building it with details is another story.
Reply:Hi Monica!Perhaps you could look here and see if there is something you like; http://www.dynabrade.com/dyn10/conte...d#metalworkingAlso I saw a reference to soldering, Radio Shack used to sell these things below, I got it to one hand and get in tight places.My Grandmother's sister lost her arm below the elbow in the late 50's and she learned to write left handed in 6 months. She only used her gripping hook to go out (made her dress look better I guess). At home she was one-armed normal, but still nuts! I can recall Grandma and her darning socks, Grandma had a sock egg and she had the stump it was an equal deal on speed.Matt Attached Images
Reply:We bummed around HD just now and I handled the grinders in the tools section.  I tried that Ridgid and the grip felt good, but I didn't like the thumb safety button.  It was a little awkward to reach, but ok after it was engaged.  The length of the body was a bit long.  Honestly the grinder that felt the best in hand was a 4 1/2" Dewalt with the paddle trigger.  It's the only type of trigger that allows me to use and feel like I still have a proper grip on the tool.  Those thumb triggers are just an accident waiting to happen, even on those slim-bodied Makitas.  Whoever does the R&D for ergonomics and anatomical grip has no idea what they're doing.  I also handled a Milwakee with the vertical grip rod (like I have pictured in my sketch).  It was a pretty stable design.  It just needed a trigger on the stick and that forearm support to be just right.  It was a big bodied, heavier grinder compared to the rest.I looked at the pnuematic grinders but I couldn't reach any of them to look up close.  They had them "displayed" on the direct middle of those isle racks where you couldn't reach them.  Well, no rush on a decision.  Just good to have handled them to have a better idea of what's out there.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:You could get a foot pedal switch, and just leave the trigger switched on.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanYou could get a foot pedal switch, and just leave the trigger switched on.
Reply:Here's an example:http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CONNTROL-FOO...item4cefcfb2c1It plugs into the wall, and the foot pedal controls an outlet.  You just need one rated for enough horsepower to control the motor you're running.
Reply:Matt_Maguire, I like that soldering iron.  Originally Posted by rlitmanHere's an example:http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CONNTROL-FOO...item4cefcfb2c1It plugs into the wall, and the foot pedal controls an outlet.  You just need one rated for enough horsepower to control the motor you're running.
Reply:Now that I'm thinking about it, while all angle grinders have threaded holes on each side of the gearbox to put the handle on the right or left sides, I've seen ones with a third hole on top, to have the handle vertical.  I'm pretty sure it was on a Milwaukee (which is exactly what was described earlier in this thread).I'm actually not a fan of the paddle switches.  With my shorter fingers, I feel that I have less grip on the machine as I'm releasing the paddle.  Even though its off, it is still running with plenty of momentum.  You lose no grip with a foot switch, although I'd look for one with a top guard, so you're less likely to accidentally step on it.The paddles on air grinders don't bother me, because the barrel is so much smaller.
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanNow that I'm thinking about it, while all angle grinders have threaded holes on each side of the gearbox to put the handle on the right or left sides, I've seen ones with a third hole on top, to have the handle vertical.  I'm pretty sure it was on a Milwaukee (which is exactly what was described earlier in this thread).I'm actually not a fan of the paddle switches.  With my shorter fingers, I feel that I have less grip on the machine as I'm releasing the paddle.  Even though its off, it is still running with plenty of momentum.  You lose no grip with a foot switch, although I'd look for one with a top guard, so you're less likely to accidentally step on it.The paddles on air grinders don't bother me, because the barrel is so much smaller.
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiHowever the problem with air tool, other than needing a compressor, is that it's really hard to hook them up 1 handed.
Reply:I'm glad to see yall talking through the air tools.  Yall are mentioning things that I forget happen or don't think about - all those little things that only I (or another one hander) would run into.  Just like the push-lock connectors being tough to work.  And they can be a handful.  I've used dad's pneumatic tools and getting the male connector into the female end at the same time holding the collar back takes some grip strength.  Getting it off is easy, just pops out from the pressure.  But glad to hear from rlitman that quick connects are made that don't require pulling that collar back.  This weekend I used my Dremel a whole lot for some grinding/cleaning and starting the cuts on some C channel.  That thing got pretty hot in my hand.  I had to set it down in front of the fan to let it cool down before going another round.  I had air tools and it's cooler temp benefits in my head as I worked.Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:The universal connectors are all I use now.  They not only fit both styles of 1/4" coupler (milton/auto and amflo/industrial) and can be pushed straight on, but they also leak less, so you get less hissing when a tool is pulling on the connector at an angle.Holding the collar back to release the ball bearings to put a tool on is just too much of a pain.A $10 HF air die grinder beats my dremel every day.  I keep the flex shaft dremel around for when I'm not near a convenient air source (which is pretty rare in my house), but even prefer the pencil air grinder (although sometimes the oil that spits gets annoying).
Reply:Anyone use an angle die grinder?  I like the 90* "angle" compared to the straight shaft.  It's easier on my wrist to manipulate the tool.  It's kind of why I need convincing on the pneumatic tools, aside from picking up a compressor.    Would I still be able to use grinding/abrasive wheels on an angle die grinder?  Looking around online the discs are smaller compared to a 4.5" grinder disc.  Common sense says they'd get used quicker.  Anyone use these?I need to get a grinder to finish out my modified press project and I'm at the point where I'm going to drop some cash to get on with it!  Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:I have a mangled up right hand and would recommend air tools for the control and weight.  I give up some speed for the control.