Post #739614 by AlohaTexasTikiCo on Wed, Mar 18, 2015 12:38 PM

On 2015-03-18 06:43, AlohaStation wrote:
There could be several causing factors:
How do you carve? - are you hell bent on getting something done with one swing or do you tap your way through a carving?
How long do you carve? - when your done, are you done (meaning that you have exhausted all your energy) or do stop often?
Where are the logs that you carve in relation to body position? - WillCarve showed me that bringing you carving up to your own personal level will help with fatigue. We use a system of stacking cement blocks (to adjust the height) and using 4x4s as rails (so the logs can easily roll). Straining to reach a certain angle or position will add to the discomfort of your elbow, or back, or neck - so make sure to move around.
What type of mallet are you using? - Urethane mallets soften the blows. The mallets weight could also be affecting your injury - I use a 20oz mallet for the roughing an a 12oz mallet for detail, and a small homemade tapper for fine detail.
How sharp are your chisels? - Sharp blades means less effort in getting them to cut (Benzartism). Knowing how to sharpen a blade can not be stressed enough!
Is it a repetitive injury or something you did with one misguided blow? and kept working?
TOOLS - there are a million of them to choose from. Work smart, not hard. Good luck and feel better.

Thanks Alohastation. To be honest, my mallet and chisels are all pretty cheap. In fact all my tools are cheap even my chainsaw. I guess I'm just not ready to drop 40 or $50 on one chisel you know? I'll get there but I'm not quite ready to make that kind of financial sacrifice. As far as how hard am I working and how long do I work? I only spent about an hour yesterday. I wouldn't say I was swinging exceptionally hard. I was striking with a rubber mallet at about chest height. Trying to hollow out the top of a piece of cedar to place a tiki torch canister in for a Disney Pele order. I was picking up the log quite a bit. I bet that is what led to the injury. Who knows. I've seen pictures of your set up and it looks pretty optimal. I may try my own version of that. I really appreciate you chiming in and lending me your advice. I think you're right on the better the tools the less the stress on your body.