BobRip
Elite Member
MossRoad said:I was wondering, since you cannot use an arc welder anymore, can you still use electric power tools, like a saws all? What about an air compressor and air tools? Drill press, etc...? I do not have any air tools but an impact wrench, but I have seen some great cutting with an air die grinder and cut off wheels.
The doctor did not mention any other tools. The tech rep said they were the most immune of all pace makers. Looking at some other literature, they gave various distances from equipment to pace maker. For example
Drill - six inches - Basically don't hold it against your chest while drilling
Electric motors - Two feet.
Most were under 3 feet. The welder is bad because you use it close to the chest and the currents are very high. They were particulalry concerned about currents over 100 amps, which I use routinely.
Air tools are no problem because of no magnetic fields.
Remember, this will not kill me, it just shuts down the pace maker temporarily and my heart still will receive signals from its regular system. Basically the pace maker monitors the regular heart signals and fills in as needed. Normally I dont need them. Worst case my heart will beat slower and I might feel something, perhaps a little light headed. My worse symptoms were while asleep and my heart rate would drop to the low 40s. Now the minimum is 70. I am being cautious because my doctor said so, and I don't want to worry my wife for a hobby. I am sure I would not enjoy the work if the wife were worried. You may be unhappy if your wife is happy, but you will be unhappy if your wife is unhappy. Sorry for so many words.
By the way, I walked 4 miles yesterday and 2 today. Very fast walks too.