| Soldering with Shaky Hands [message #69231] |
Mon, 29 August 2011 10:01  |
Chicken
Messages: 300
Registered: August 2011
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Grand Master |
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I'm learning how to solder, but unfortunately my hands tend to shake so it's challenging. Does anyone else have this issue, and how do you deal with it?
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| Re: Soldering with Shaky Hands [message #71436 is a reply to message #69231] |
Mon, 20 February 2012 18:41  |
FloydV
Messages: 124
Registered: November 2011
Location: Boise, ID
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Master |
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I have the same issue. I have intention tremor, sometimes called essential tremor. This means that when I intentionally move my hands (or try to hold them in a certain position) they tremor. A reverse Parkinson's disease if you will. If my hands are relaxed they are very steady.
You can take Klonopin for it. It's a benzodiazapene that has much less sedation than the usual benzos, but it does lessen the tremor.
The problem is in your brain, not in your muscles or nerves. The more you use your hands, the more that part of the brain gets excited, and the worse the tremor becomes. Beta blockers also help, but they have a really mind deadening effect.
If the tremor gets really bad, I stop working for a while, and then start back.
I also try to support my wrist or arm on something to help steady it.
Floyd
He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. -- Albert Einstein
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| Re: Soldering with Shaky Hands [message #72694 is a reply to message #71436] |
Sat, 12 May 2012 09:48 |
mixinlady
Messages: 52
Registered: December 2011
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Baron |
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It sounds like you should practice steadying your hands first doing less dangerous/crucial activities. Using some of those hand grip exercisers could help to strengthen your mitts and perhaps train you to be less shaky.
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| Re: Soldering with Shaky Hands [message #72710 is a reply to message #69231] |
Sun, 13 May 2012 15:04 |
FloydV
Messages: 124
Registered: November 2011
Location: Boise, ID
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Master |
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Try this. Take a pen or pencil and try drawing a spiral from the inside out. If your spiral isn't reasonably round, but rather like a jerky series of circles, then you have intention tremor. Also, try holding your hand out fingers stretched. They should be reasonably calm. Then try closing those fingers letting your forefinger touch your thumb.
If your fingers tremor during this second, closing, exorcise, you have intention tremor and the problem in in your brain, not your hand.
Also, the more you repeat a specific action like opening and closing those fingers, the worse the tremor will get. Intention tremor is like a reverse Parkinson tremor. Your hands are steady at rest but tremor when you intentionally move them.
Floyd
He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. -- Albert Einstein
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