Does Anyone Still Use Power Tools?

[GregCA]

Approx. 99, 100 according to the db meter.

OK so that's more reasonable and closer to what your ears would be subjected to.

As per the tool manual it is lpa 72, lwa 84 and lpcpeak 84.

They don't explain how they measured, right? I wonder at what distance they measured.

And that confuses me.. is the manual wrong, or is my db meter strongly deviating...

Or you have a different way of measuring... or the "marketing material" diverges from reality...

At the end of the day it doesn't matter so much since you have a way to measure what your ears would be subjected to. That's what matters, right?

 

[Berik]

OK so that's more reasonable and closer to what your ears would be subjected to.



They don't explain how they measured, right? I wonder at what distance they measured.



Or you have a different way of measuring... or the "marketing material" diverges from reality...

At the end of the day it doesn't matter so much since you have a way to measure what your ears would be subjected to. That's what matters, right?

True, but I want to avoid that I'm overprotecting or create a unnecessary fear of sounds. I notice I've because reluctant due to the tinnitus, to use a lot of tools. Just out of fear of t worsening. thanks for the feedback.

 

[New Guy]

is improving for the most part

Awesome news!

 

[New Guy]

I did some research on backpack leaf blowers, one brand measures the sound level 50 feet away from the blower. From the echo website https://www.echomeansbusiness.com/pages/low_noise_blowers_why_they_are_better

So knowing all of this, where does the PB-250LN gasoline powered blower from ECHO fall in terms of decibels? Measured at 50 feet, it is a mere 65 dB(A)!

Also, there is a 'new' way to measure noise so a tool that is normally in the 90-100 db range comes out around 65-70. I was at a big box store and I spotted it.

You have to dig to find out how the measurement is taken.

In the end use a sound meter and confirm yourself, or have a friend without t confirm with the sound level meter.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I notice I've because reluctant due to the tinnitus, to use a lot of tools. Just out of fear of t worsening.

It Has worsened as a result of being around power tools, for some people on this forum. The risk is real.

Some noises can't be avoided. You can easily avoid being around power tools, so I am not sure why anyone would expose themselves to this risk.

create a unnecessary fear of sounds

It is ok to fear things that expose you to the risk of making your body uninhabitable.

I want to avoid that I'm overprotecting

Overprotecting is when you wear muffs at home when there is no noise. When you wear muffs around power tools is just insane, as the sensible thing to do would be to get away from the power tools.

 

[GregCA]

True, but I want to avoid that I'm overprotecting or create a unnecessary fear of sounds. I notice I've because reluctant due to the tinnitus, to use a lot of tools. Just out of fear of t worsening. thanks for the feedback.

I think it's pretty reasonable to use hearing protection around power tools. I don't know anyone who would say it's overprotective.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

When you wear muffs around power tools is just insane, as the sensible thing to do would be to get away from the power tools.

Huh?

 

[Bill Bauer]

Huh?

That should have began with "Wearing muffs around power tools is just insane"

In other words, I was trying to say that it is insane to take the risk that muffs will be enough protection. It is better to just stay away from the power tools, at least during the first few years after onset.

 

[Digital Doc]

Awesome news!

Thank you! I was slowly improving in the Fall with the hearing protection for loud exposures.

I got upset when I respiked 2 weeks ago after the alarm clock went off in my tinnitus ear (Murphy's Law). I got impatient, and decided to sleep with ear plugs in to habituate faster, and added green tea daily, as well as an omega 3 daily supplement. I also eat quite a bit of garlic, although not daily. Between it all, the T is fading a lot faster than I would have expected from my prior experience, although this is hardly any scientific proof of anything just me sharing my experience for whatever it is worth, and I only hope it helps somebody else.

Since doing the above, I have also been less reactive, and the touch of H seems to have faded as well. I also had a few potential exposures, including a semitruck air horn with a few blasts, and some brief yelling from a coworker (not directed at me, just an emergency), and no significant respike, where previously I would have had a more significant respike.

I also continue to wear foam ear plugs to avoid loud noises as I can, so not letting up on that even with the improvements. I am a heck of a lot better, but the T, much quieter, is still there as a reminder to keep this all up.

Hope yours and others gets better real soon!

 

[Emperor-Drax]

That should have began with "Wearing muffs around power tools is just insane"

In other words, I was trying to say that it is insane to take the risk that muffs will be enough protection. It is better to just stay away from the power tools, at least during the first few years after onset.

Muffs are fine. And not everyone's ears here are such delicate petals, that even muffs aren't enuff. And I doubt some people are keen on leaving their tasks requiring power tools to just sit there waiting for the next few years.

 

[Bill Bauer]

And I doubt some people are keen on leaving their tasks requiring power tools to just sit there waiting for the next few years.

I've never needed to use a power tool in my life. They are glorified toys, and are surely not something you can't go without.

Muffs are fine. And not everyone's ears here are such delicate petals, that even muffs aren't enuff.

They are fine, until the day when they are not fine. Unfortunately, you find out whether or not your ears belong to the "delicate petals" group only when it is too late.

 

[Digital Doc]

Muffs are fine. And not everyone's ears here are such delicate petals, that even muffs aren't enuff. And I doubt some people are keen on leaving their tasks requiring power tools to just sit there waiting for the next few years.

Yes, I do a fair amount of the maintenance work around the house, and need to use the tools, along with appropriate protection for the task at hand.

 

[Digital Doc]

I did some research on backpack leaf blowers, one brand measures the sound level 50 feet away from the blower. From the echo website https://www.echomeansbusiness.com/pages/low_noise_blowers_why_they_are_better

So knowing all of this, where does the PB-250LN gasoline powered blower from ECHO fall in terms of decibels? Measured at 50 feet, it is a mere 65 dB(A)!

Also, there is a 'new' way to measure noise so a tool that is normally in the 90-100 db range comes out around 65-70. I was at a big box store and I spotted it.

You have to dig to find out how the measurement is taken.

In the end use a sound meter and confirm yourself, or have a friend without t confirm with the sound level meter.

@New Guy

So frustrating that they do not put dB ratings on power tools. Who the heck cares how loud is a leaf blower from 50 ft away? I am far more interested in how loud it is for the operator to use. I would try and buy quieter equipment, but the data is simply not available to compare between manufacturers.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

I've never needed to use a power tool in my life. They are glorified toys, and are surely not something you can't go without.

Not everyone has the upper body strength to push themselves to chop wood, manually saw branches, cut grass with one of those motorless lawnmowers, or complete more involved woodwork and metalwork tasks in building and maintenance without some sort of specialised power tool. Often they save us time and effort.

They are fine, until the day when they are not fine. Unfortunately, you find out whether or not your ears belong to the "delicate petals" group only when it is too late.

Yeah, yeah, the old "you've been a naughty boy" spiel.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Not everyone has the upper body strength to push themselves to chop wood, manually saw branches, cut grass with one of those motorless lawnmowers, or complete more involved woodwork and metalwork tasks in building and maintenance without some sort of specialised power tool.

Why would you want to chop wood? I have been a homeowner for close to 10 years now (and before that, I lived at my parents' home for 12 years, my family bought a house when I was a teen), and I never needed to do any "woodwork/metalwork tasks". I can't begin to imagine what that might be all about. As for mowing the lawn, surely one could hire someone to do it 2 times a year.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

Why would you want to chop wood? I have been a homeowner for close to 10 years now (and before that, I lived at my parents' home for 12 years, my family bought a house when I was a teen), and I never needed to do any "woodwork/metalwork tasks". I can't begin to imagine what that might be all about. As for mowing the lawn, surely one could hire someone to do it 2 times a year.

I think I recall reading your previous posts suggesting how much you recoil at any kind of physical activity. Not everyone lives your sedentary lifestyle, as much as you want them to.

Anyhoo, what kind of grass do you have that needs mowing only twice a year? Is this a Northern Hemisphere thing? Mine needs a mow at least once a week.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Anyhoo, what kind of grass do you have that needs mowing only twice a year?

It's grass. I don't have a fetish to know the exact species of grass. One of my neighbours mows his grass once a week. Every time he does, I pray for bad things to happen to him.

The funniest thing is that, in my opinion, my front yard (that looks like a real woodland meadow) looks nicer than my neighbour's yard.

Not everyone lives your sedentary lifestyle

I don't have a sedentary lifestyle. I use my treadmill 1-2 hours per day, 7 days a week.

I really am curious - what are those metalwork/woodwork tasks that you spoke of?

Mine needs a mow at least once a week.

Trust me, nothing bad will happen if you mow it once at the start of July, and once at the start of September.

 

[Bill Bauer]

what kind of grass do you have

In addition to grass, I've got dandelions, and representative specimens of many other native plants growing around my home. Idyllic is what it is.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

@Bill Bauer

My grass is a breed called kikuyu, which shoots up like a weed in Australian climate, which makes a house look really feral if it isn't maintained.

As for woodwork and metal work, sometimes I like to do home repairs like patching up fences, building shelves, fixing floorboards, filing and cutting sheet metal to fit in certain areas where I need them (not the advanced stuff). If you have the knowhow, you don't need to hire some tradie for every minor home task.

 

[AZeurotuner]

It's grass. I don't have a fetish to know the exact species of grass. One of my neighbours mows his grass once a week. Every time he does, I pray for bad things to happen to him.

The funniest thing is that, in my opinion, my front yard (that looks like a real woodland meadow) looks nicer than my neighbour's yard.

In addition to grass, I've got dandelions, and representative specimens of many other native plants growing around my home. Idyllic is what it is.

So your lawn is overgrown and full of weeds, but the contrarian in you think it looks "idyllic". To top it off, you "pray for bad things to happen" to your poor neighbor for having some pride in ownership and properly maintaining his yard.

It's absolutely your prerogative if you want to an antisocial weirdo, but for goodness sake, stop trying to tell normal folks how to live their lives.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

Heh, basically he reckons a lawn only needs a mow once at the beginning and once at the end of Winter (the time of the year when it needs the least amount of attention anyway), and let it shoot up like an uncontrollable wheatfield during the Summer months. Because tinnitus or something. And the lawnmower shockwave will somehow penetrate the defences of a pair of 3M Pelters.

 

[Bill Bauer]

patching up fences

I live in a semi-desert, so the wood doesn't rot.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Heh, basically he reckons a lawn only needs a mow once at the beginning and once at the end of Winter (the time of the year when it needs the least amount of attention anyway)

I live in Canada. (For some reason I was convinced that you lived in the UK.) I have the lawn mowed half way through the summer, and at the end of the summer.

 

[Emperor-Drax]

Ohhh I'm obsessed with British lawns. I want to replace my kikuyu lawn with a buffalo (Sir Walter) lawn. It's more shade friendly and looks greener and lusher.

 

[Bill Bauer]

To top it off, you "pray for bad things to happen" to your poor neighbor for having some pride in ownership and properly maintaining his yard.

He is disturbing his neighbours.

 

[Bill Bauer]

It's absolutely your prerogative if you want to an antisocial weirdo, but for goodness sake, stop trying to tell normal folks how to live their lives.

It is your prerogative to channel Ali G, but please stop telling me what I can and cannot post.

 

[New Guy]

Why would you want to chop wood?

Chopping wood is a great stress reliever. I compare it to playing chess while jogging. It's not hitting a piece of wood with all the force you can. It's hitting the wood precisely where you want with a decent amount of force. It raises the heart rate, gets you out of the house and off Tinnitus Talk, and if you have a wood burning stove saves you money. There's also the benefit of being able to see your progress, something fewer and fewer get to see in today's society.

Cutting wood with a sharp, well tuned chainsaw is very satisfying too.

As I 'mature' I don't see the need for a perfectly manicured lawn, though I've made my fair of money giving people perfectly manicured lawns. I can go 3-4 weeks between mowings in the summer now and not care.

 

[AZeurotuner]

It is your prerogative to channel Ali G, but please stop telling me what I can and cannot post.

When you know and admit that you're an extreme introvert, that hates physical activity and properly maintaining your home, why would you try to push your atypical ideologies on the general public? Serious question...

 

[Bill Bauer]

There's also the benefit of being able to see your progress, something fewer and fewer get to see in today's society.

This is one thing I like about road trips - if you drive long enough, you know you will reach your destination.

It's not hitting a piece of wood with all the force you can. It's hitting the wood precisely where you want with a decent amount of force.

Interesting. I didn't know! Too bad I've got tinnitus...

 

[Bill Bauer]

why would you try to push your atypical ideologies on the general public?

I don't Push anything. I am informing them that there is another way that might work better for them, given that they have tinnitus.