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Ian Mitchell  
#1 Posted : 14 November 2012 15:01:45(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Ian Mitchell

Afternoon All,

I am trying to search out a product I remember that allows the user to hold a stake/ pin at arms length when driving it into the ground. I recall it being on the market around 5 years ago but a search on Google doesn't turn anything up.

I want to use it on a construction site so that the operatives don't end up hammering their thumbs instead!

Thanks
jfw  
#2 Posted : 14 November 2012 15:32:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jfw


Are you refering to a "Post Driver" ?

http://www.drivall.com/f...ls/fencingpostdriver.htm
NickH  
#3 Posted : 14 November 2012 17:18:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
NickH

Or a pneumatic post driver (sometimes referred to as a stake gun). Although, there are probably vibration issues with these with prolonged use.
Graham Bullough  
#4 Posted : 14 November 2012 19:50:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Ian

I can readily envisage the sort of device you describe, perhaps through having seen a sketch of one many years ago during a temporary job in conservation work which included repairs to eroded parts of the Pennine Way. If it's not available as a proprietary device (as you say nothing appears during an internet search) it should be very cheap and simple to make one from two pieces of wood connected together by a suitable length of nylon cord, ribbon or some other reasonably durable and flexible material. The lengths and diameters of whatever is to be hammered into the ground should influence the approximate dimensions of the improvised device. In this regard it might be worthwhile experimenting with variants in design. The device is used by temporarily twisting its flexible component around the stake to enable its user to safely grip and hold the stake in position while it is being hammered either by the device user or someone else. After the stake has been sufficiently hammered into the ground to remain in position by itself, the user can simply let go of the device. [My apologies if this description is somewhat long-winded. By contrast I could draw a sketch of the device - and how it is used - far more quickly than it takes to type this! :-( ]

If fence posts or similar stakes are to be hammered, I can recommend a proprietary manually-operated post driver device of the type illustrated on the website mentioned by ifw. They're simple, very effective and by the nature of their design and use eliminate the need for any other device to temporarily hold a stake in position while being hammered. However, as they're quite heavy their users need reasonable muscle strength and stamina to operate them!
roshqse  
#5 Posted : 15 November 2012 10:48:01(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
roshqse

stuie  
#6 Posted : 15 November 2012 13:04:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stuie

it was called an apprentice a few years ago!!
stuie  
#7 Posted : 15 November 2012 13:06:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stuie

When i nod my head - you hit it!!!!
Safety Smurf  
#8 Posted : 15 November 2012 13:31:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

stuie wrote:
When i nod my head - you hit it!!!!


.......Ouch!!........Not my head you cretin!!
Ian Mitchell  
#9 Posted : 15 November 2012 16:48:55(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Ian Mitchell

It isn't Friday just yet!

To clarify, it is for steel stakes (about 30mm dia) rather than fence posts or larger items like that.

The finger saver may work, although the one I remember had like a clamp on the end rather than a twisting mechanism. It was yellow too if that helps ;)

I think it was in the rail industry, but memory may be playing tricks here...
Phil W  
#10 Posted : 15 November 2012 16:58:49(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Phil W

would a pair of blacksmith's tongs do the job?

Phil
NickH  
#11 Posted : 15 November 2012 17:18:11(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
NickH

A couple of marquee companies I used to know used the 'stake guns' for driving in stakes for the guy ropes. Probably a similar size to the stakes you're on about. They introduced them as they had a lot of injuries with people being clouted by sledge hammers. I remember one particular incident where a guy received a direct hit in the gentleman's area...! Don't ask me how they managed that, as I have no idea!
Ian Mitchell  
#12 Posted : 15 November 2012 17:30:41(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Ian Mitchell

All

I have approached the principal contractor with a view to trying out the 'finger saver' thingy. It looks quite good.

Regards

Ian
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