"Arthritis-friendly" tools query

Bobstamp, I sent you a private message on here.

knox

Watchman,  you’re a genius!  Well done. 

Thanks Knox.  Not a genius, just a copy-cat. ;)  When I was getting the feel for the new Grex, I realized that the handle it came with was a bit too small, so I did an internet search for "custom airbrush handles" and found that Grex sells an extra handle with a blob of polymer clay. A boxy of Sculpey was cheaper than their kit, so I went that way.

BootBoyx2

Hey Watchman, great idea for your Grex. Due to neuropath in my hands, my hands also cramp up using my TRN 1 Iwata. What kind of Sculpey did you use? I searched at Hobby Lobby and found 4 different ones. Some of them say to bake it to harden. Did you do that? Any tips you have to form it to my hand would appreciated. Also, is it permanantly fixed to the AB.Thanks,BootBoyx2.

Hi BootBoyx.

I went out to Michael's and got a 1lb box of the "Original Sculpey", the kind that you bake in the oven.  It bakes at a low temperature, so your TRN-1 handle should be fine.

I made a little stand out of a small piece of 2x4 and a dowel sticking up so I could bake it in the oven.  It also made a good place to keep the handle between sculpting sessions.

As far as the forming, I just warmed up a chunk of Sculpey by kneading it in my hands, wrapped it around the handle then squeezed, poked, and prodded it until it felt "good". I put most of the clay at the back of the handle to keep enough room at the front so the action of the trigger wasn't impeded I also added a little extra to the palm side of the AB.

After baking, I used a #10 hobby blade to do some cutting and scraping, then went over the whole thing with some fine sand paper. Since I took the pictures, I've painted it with some black acrylic craft paint and given it several coats of urethane wood finish to seal it.

It's permanently fixed to the handle of my AB, but I can remove the handle from the rest of the AB.

I'd love to see how yours comes out. Good luck!

P.S. Try to complete the sculpt before you bake it.  Trying to add more Sculpey after baking can be difficult, as the new clay doesn't always stick well to the old.

Watchman,  you’re a genius!  Well done. 

Watchmann

Nice mod, Jon!  Those Grex handles were the inspiration for the wooden handle on my Iwata.  I have a lot of scrap wood in the basement, so I thought I could whip one up.

 

Adapt, Improvise, don't spend beer tokens unnecessarily!

Nice mod, Jon!  Those Grex handles were the inspiration for the wooden handle on my Iwata.  I have a lot of scrap wood in the basement, so I thought I could whip one up.

The biggest aid I have found for arthritic or shakey hands (I have both) is to maintain your two hands in physical contact.

Here is an exercize to illustrate the technique.  First, extend your arms and try to touch the tips of your index fingertips together accurately and light pressure.  If you are like me this is hard to do.  Then, place your third fingers together and then the index fingers- easier.  Now, place base of thumbs together and put the index fingertips together- much better.

The hands do not have to touch each other- you can have them both touching some solid object.  Try resting the bases of the thumbs on a heavy block on your bench and then hold a small object in your left hand.  Using tweezers in your right fingers, touch the object.  Much easier than when you are cantilevering your two hands with your arms.

The reason I like a block is to get the hands a little closer to my eyes without bending my head down too much which is hard on bad neck joints.

Neat idea Watchman

I Didn't go quite so far with my Grex Handles,  I have them on my Iwata HP-CS & Badger 4000.  (Badger 150 retired)

Bob;

      Before I replied to Bill Morrison I checked my Brushes. The last four I bought had the fatter handles. I went back to Hobby Lobby and found three more and one is a " Proffessional" Striping Brush. Ya know, for Boot topping on a ship! With the same handles. I bought some the ladies at the Art League recommended.

Ah Bill;

     Turns out the Landlady and her Daughter figured the Parkinsons thing before I was willing to admit it, and the final diagnosis was in. So much for being a shaky old man! I work through all of it in the seating at my bench, optical aids and lots of "Extra or Second Hand" Tools and Braces made out of LEGO then Padded. Works for me.

    The biggest problem for me right now is the poor quality ( Thinness) of both X-Acto and Excel knife blades. I don't realize sometimes how much pressure I put on them and they snap easier. So, for long straight cuts I went to a crafter's Rotary Knife. Now I hope they don't borrow it in a pinch to cut Pizza! LOL.LOL.

      There is also a smallish retractible knife( very small blade) that works well for rounded and regular corners in both plastic and paper. I put one of those rounded triangular cushions on it and it now works fine. I saved a bunch of " Dr Grip" pens I once had and cut them off at the fat part and modified them to fit the X-acto handles.

    Will I ever stop Building Models? Only if I can't see them. So There! Oh! Merry and Safe Christmas to you and the Missus. Would either of you object to being put on my prayer list? My Missus went throught the same. I prayed, and I think it helped, But it's just a matter of one's faith.

      I went to a toy store and bought a metal cap gun. The handle now adorns my older Binks Airbrush. Works great too. It was a handgun that was a life sized version of ( Detective Harry Callahan's ) Gun. It made my day too!

Hi Bob,

I like your solution to your paint brush.

While I don't have arthritis, yet, my hand does cramp something awful while using an airbrush.  Here's the solution I came up with for my Iwata brush.

I had to put a dab of epoxy putty on the knob since my figer kept slipping off.  It's not perfect since my trigger finger position is still a bit awkward.

I bought a Grex Tritium TS this year.  I tried one out at a show a few yeas ago and fell in love.  The handle was still a bit small, and my middle finger kept ending up under the trigger.  Grex sells a custom handle set that comes with an extra plastic handle and a blob of polymer clay, but a box of Sculpey is cheaper, so I made my own.

This feels soooo much better.  It did add a bit of weight, but I think it will be okay.  Now, I've got to make a custom stand for it.

Nice improv, I built a propelling pencil with 2 layers of thisk soft leather wrapped round it for comfort. Works fine for me.

Search for Triangular Art Brush in the search engine of your choice.

You should find something like these from the online vendors of your choice, such as Major Brushes Triangular Grip Detail Paint Brush Set of 6.

You can also get Triangular pencil grips, and from the tattoo tool box, EGO Pencil Grip - White - 27mm

or these designed for pencils:

some information here: https://therapyfunzone.net/blog/pencil-gripspros-and-cons/

How about taking some hard foam insulation board and drilling a hole in the middle to glue the handle, (might even work with just a friction fit), then shaping to something comfortable to hold.  Plus you can get more contact along the length of the fingers, should help with tension buildup of muscles.

There are brushes available with larger or bulbous handles.  I think the micro mark catalog has both types.

You might search in jewelry making with arthritis. I don't make jewelry but a lot of what I browsed through made sense to me.

Aternate ways to replace tying knots with CA drops.

See what you can find.

bill

A lot of us have the shakes.

Or poor eyesight.

I can't answer myself, but my attitude tends to be to be happy with what I can do.

Pain is awful, my wife cries at night. She uses ice a lot, and exercises the joints in question.

Listen to music or books on tape while you model. It helps to take your mind off of the focus on physical ability.

Someday we all may be reduced to telling our grandkids history, but the route from here to there should be considered a triumph however it goes.

Bill