auto mechanics does and donts ?

Several comments

by Theknotguy - 2019-03-01 12:19:18

I've written on this forum about working in a shop several times.  I volunteer at a charity woodshop and run all the equipment in the shop.  No problems.  So I'll outline a few things I've run into and what problems I've had.  I have a Medtronic Surescan, dual lead.  In addition to being a pacemaker it runs two programs for afib.  

First, I work around the power mains coming into the shop.  Sometimes less than three feet away.  Granted these are the 220 volt mains so they aren't as powerful as what you would run into at 440 or 880.  No problems.  I can trip the circuit breakers if need be with no problems with my pacemaker.  I'll plug into 110 and 220 volt outlets for running equipment and haven't had any problems with my pacemaker.  

Second, we use the Kreg Jig pocket screw jig system.  We'll drill up to three pocket screw holes at a time using one of the heavier DeWalt 110 volt power drills.  Since we'll do 200 apron pieces at a time that's 600 holes at a pop.  Was running the table one day, got tired of using my arms and started pushing the drill with my shoulder.  Completely forgot about my pacemaker and drilled about 200 holes with my pacemaker lying on top of a running drill.  No problems.  I don't recommend doing it, but I'm not worried about it either.  

Third, as I said before, I run all the equipment without any problems.  Table saws, drills, routers, sanders, etc. with no problems.  I also do precision cuts for the furniture repair guys so I'm up and down all the time moving pieces and running equipment.

What does bother my pacemaker?  Strange you should ask....  We were cutting the corner off planks to use in our bedframe.  We were lifting about 40 pounds of planks at a pop, swinging them onto the chop saw, cutting the corner, then lifting them down to a pallet.  The lifting and swinging was pinching my pacemaker between my shoulder and my ribcage.  Really hurt and I was getting sore.  "Enough of that noise!", I though.  Brought the planks over on a pallet.  Got some large clamps and clamped the planks like a sandwich on the pallet.  Grabbed a Saws-all reciprocating saw, made a cut mark on the corner and proceeded to slice off all the corners at one go.  Completely forgot about my pacemaker....  Since my Medtronic has an accelerometer in it to kick up my heart rate if I'm walking fast or running, my pacemaker thought I was sprinting and kicked my heart rate way up.  One of the guys in the shop came over and asked if I was OK?  "You had the strangest look on your face!", he said.  So if I run the Saws-all I have to watch the vibration.  

We also have the big trucks.  Usually I'm riding instead of driving - stupid insurance laws.  And they bounce all over the place when they're empty.  As I'm riding I'm usually holding onto my pacemaker because the bouncing causes my pacemaker to think I'm running and it kicks up my heart rate.  Looks like I'm riding down the road giving the truck driver one of those ancient Roman salutes.  Things they didn't tell you when you got the pacemaker - ah well.  

We don't do welding in the woodshop.  Sparks and sawdust is not a good combination.  So I can't comment about that.  There have been discussions on the forum about ARC welding as well as MIG and TIG welding.  So you'll have to go elsewhere for that information.  

One thing you will have to watch.  If you are having problems with afib and they've given you heart drugs to slow your heart you will have to be especially careful around power machinery.  You think you're safely out of the way but you're not.  The heart drugs slow your reaction time so you have to make sure hands and fingers are out of the way before starting the machinery.  You're supposed to do that anyway, but you really have to make sure and do the second check before squeezing the trigger.  They pulled me off production table saw work because I didn't get my hand out of the way and the saw grabbed my glove and pulled my thumb into the saw.  Since it's a charity wood shop they want me to donate furniture and not fingers.  

Last but not least.  Right after I went back to the wood shop and started working again my pacemaker pocket area got really sore because I was doing heavier lifting and movement than normal.  Most people don't swing 40 pounds of wood around at a pop, nor do they move 2000 pounds of wood when the cut crew is in and is cutting for the week.  I'd work one day, then have to take Tylenol and use hot and cold packs until the soreness stopped.  The trade off is when I go into my EP's office and he says I'm in good shape for my age.  There were days though, when I'd go home and it felt like my pacemaker was wrapped in sandpaper.  But I'm over that now and can do whatever I want.  So eventually your body gets accustomed to it.  

Hope this helps.