Stumbled Onto Something

[EricMilfeld]

Yesterday I tried out some of the various bending stock that David Ostlund has sent me. Thanks again, David! And by the way, I know a lot of us are already doing this, but trading bending stock with guys from the board is a lot of fun. Give it a try. It's neat to try unusual stock from around the country, or even the world. Anyways, I had a go with a piece of .323 X 7" drill stock. This stuff is crazy! Not only was the crushdown way harder than a Red, it seemed as if the steel gained strength as it was being bent. So after somewhat quickly getting to the crushdown phase, I hit a brick wall. Several more attempts moved it just a little further along, but I still couldn't quite grip it like a gripper to finish it off. And this thing was going nowhere as I attempted crushing it with my fingers interlocked. I must have given it about five more all-out efforts, with no advance. Despite my usual amount of very thick padding, I noticed that this thing was starting to hurt my palms just a little bit. So, I decided to double over the end of the padding on the left side. Now this would serve to only decrease leverage by making the range of motion greater, and I was already worn-out, but darned if it didn't start moving again, allowing me to finish the bend. Here's what I deduced from this. I think my body was shutting down due to the pain being inflicted on my palms by the rod. The interesting part is that I didn't feel like the pain was that significant. So apparently, our bodies can shut down due to pain without us even being aware of it. I thought this was very significant. It helps to explain why my bending suffers to such a great extent when the padding doesn't quite feel thick enough. I guess this is just another aspect of the bending game to keep in mind as you chart your progress and critique your workouts. Now I see to what extent tough, thick fingers can help a mimimally padded bend. Not only strength, but both mental and physical TOUGHNESS are needed for mimimally padded bends. Or maybe the moral of the story is that I am simply a big baby! My wife would surely opt for the latter explanation.

[gazza]

Eric

As always you are good enough to share you findings with people here on the board

Dont sell yourself short,all the padding in the world wont make me and alot of other people a red nail bender,when it comes down to it i just aint strong enough yet.

I am going to adapt the new freestyle bending tag,bend what i like,when i like and with resonable padding,but every other workout i am going to bend just useing thin leather cloths ouch,i am also going to bend 1 session useing double overhand,the next session useing double underhand and i hope to have alot of fun in the process.

That drill rod sounded really painfull,but i think with 20plus years in the iron game you know a thing or too about pain

[EricMilfeld]

Sounds like you've developed a good strategy, future Red Nail bender! Go get it, Gazza!

And a little correction: Doubling over the pad's end wouldn't serve to increase the range of motion, it would only force the hands further apart, making the leverage less advantageous.

Edited April 29, 2004 by EricMilfeld

[tmmicklabs]

Great report Eric and great job on that new stock Brother.