Shopsmith Forums

dusty wrote:There does come a time when "the old guy" should avoid the use of power tools. I know because I am approaching that time.

Dusty along the lines of that train of thought I have started shifting from 18-24 volt cordless tools to the lighter and therefore more easily held 12 volt tools. I simply can not hold a 20 volt cordless drill over my head and accomplish any useful work. My new Ridgid 12 volt is easily held up there to accomplish things.

I was replacing my soffits with a handy man helping me. He fastened his end and handed me the drill. But after watching me try to adjust my bifocals to see the screw and then trying to hold the drill steady enough to hit the drill he reached over and with a smile took the drill and said you hold. We finished the house with me doing the ground work and holding.

I learned, next time I get TWO handy men and a lawn chair and iced tea.

I feel your pain, in addition I had a ruptured bicep in my dominant arm that didn’t respond as well as hoped after surgery for it an rotator surgery to same arm.

dusty wrote:There does come a time when "the old guy" should avoid the use of power tools. I know because I am approaching that time.

The development of good 'habits' will extend the time remaining. I never used to do the 5/4 check in the past but do so now ALWAYS.(at least after any setup change)

I teach Driver Safety for AARP and discussion of 'when to quit' driving is included. The key is HONEST self evaluation. Same here! At least in the shop one is only putting themselves at risk.

JPG wrote:

dusty wrote:There does come a time when "the old guy" should avoid the use of power tools. I know because I am approaching that time.

The development of good 'habits' will extend the time remaining.

Avoiding the use of power tools still allows for a lot of woodworking to happen. I love my SS, but I also think trying to do more and more with hand tools will add a few more good woodworking years. Its good exercise, and also less potential for catastrophe. All part of the inevitable adjustment to the realities of time passing.