My new workshop

[kev@frames]

Higher workbenches are generally better than "normal" height. we found this out by accident when Helen worked for us ten tears ago. Helen was what we call here, a "girt big maid"* about six feet and more. Cutting mounts (in pre cmc days) gave her back trouble, and she was only a slip of a thing in her 20s. so we raised a workebench up by 4 inches (on bricks) and voila, no more back trouble - for any of us. That then became the standard height of our workbenches from then on. 36 inches.



you notice as people are in general getting taller, most kitchen worktops etc are beginning to seem a bit low, even for those of average/ below average height like me (5'8). For a cornishman however, thats a Giant

even without a ponytail, moglet

*two definitions of "girt big maid"
a) the one that has had to many visits to the pie cupboard.
or b) one who is taller than her male collegues.

[Moglet]

...even without a ponytail...

Health 'n' Safety would probably come round and order you to chop it off for fear you'd trip on it, Kev...

[gesso]

Higher workbenches are generally better than "normal" height.

Being 6'2" When I moved into my present workshop I built the mounting bench at 45 degree reducing the 'angle of bending' (scientific term). After 22 years of cutting mounts the Jane Fonda way I'm now the proud owner of two slipped discs. This angle also enables the operator to cut huge mounts with very little effort.

[Adrian]

Some really useful advice here - yes, why not have a workbench made higher than normal or a cutter at a more comfortable angle if, like me, you're 6'2" and get fed up of constantly leaning forward, or hunching forward on standard height workbenches or kitchen worktops, or calves hanging over the end of supposeldly comfortable reclining deckchairs or sofa beds and - I could go on....and on..... and THEN to be told by your physio and osteo that you 'sit hunched and stand hunched' after years of inadvertently compensating for the more vertically challenged!?

Sorry - just to put the record straight I'm typing this whilst suffering (to put it mildly!) from a suspected prolapsed disc in the base of my neck and waiting for the results of an MRI scan, the possible result I'm told, of 'years of bad posture'.

I'm just starting out in this business, but these things are obviously very important - after all it's what most of you do (and I'm hoping to do) i.e. spend the best part of every day in a workshop over a Morso, an underpinner, a workbench.... Keep the advice coming - it may seem obvious to you, but to the likes of myself and Deepjoy your experience is invaluable. And thanks for it!

[Moglet]

Just a thought for the taller peeps:

if you're looking for a mountboard storage rack from Keencut, it might be worth having a direct chat with them to see if they can increase the height of the verticals to give you a bench that's at a more comfortable working height. They're a very helpful lot at Keencut!

[gesso]

Sorry - just to put the record straight I'm typing this whilst suffering (to put it mildly!) from a suspected prolapsed disc in the base of my neck and waiting for the results of an MRI scan, the possible result I'm told, of 'years of bad posture'.

My sympathies

[Adrian]

Thanks Gesso!

And btw Deepjoy, I wasn't meaning to speak on your behalf in my previous post - just meaning 'us newbies'!

Adrian

[Bill Henry]

The problem with spinal problems is that most people aren’t too sympathetic because they can’t see the injury.

Try limping.

Seriously, I wish you well.

[Adrian]

Thanks Bill! Very thoughtful of you and I must say I admire your digital artistry! Would have been even more impressed if you could have fitted 'Amitriptyline' on those tablets.

If you ever thought you had a dry mouth with a hangover you should try taking these things (not to mention what they do to the other end)! Then again, maybe swillin' 'em down with red wine ain't too clever! Doctor tells me they used to be prescribed for depression but now as a sedative or for bedwetting (prevention one assumes)

..............what was this thread about...............?

[Moglet]

Thanks Bill! Very thoughtful of you and I must say I admire your digital artistry! Would have been even more impressed if you could have fitted 'Amitriptyline' on those tablets.

If you ever thought you had a dry mouth with a hangover you should try taking these things (not to mention what they do to the other end)! Then again, maybe swillin' 'em down with red wine ain't too clever! Doctor tells me they used to be prescribed for depression but now as a sedative

Nooooo!!!!! Don't go there!!!!

Seriously, amitryptiline was the drug that nearly cost me my business: it's the one that triggered the month-long closure. Seems the doc forgot to prescribe the vino....

or for bedwetting (prevention one assumes)

Depends on the type of "betwetting." It's sod all good for night sweats...

[Not your average framer]

I too can sympathise with those suffering from back trouble, mine is probably connected with a road traffic accident when I was in my twenties. The thing I find most difficult is the long periods of time I spend looking down at work surfaces while working. It's not only often painful, but I sometimes can feel pressure in my ears and feel like I can't continue without feeling that I'm going to pass out.

I've never found any solution to this problem and would appreciate any advice which works. My doctor says that it's just wear and tear, plus my artharitis.