[Jewelry making - Article 00498] - Re: [Orchid] Benches - to cutout or not to cutout

[Bill]

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    I guess since I started this thread I should comment a little more. 
    In the 30 years that I have been a professional jeweler,  I have used
    many different benches, straight, cutout and some funky ones.  As
    human beings we are all creatures of habit and usually like what we
    use and sometimes don't have any room for alternative ideas.  This
    said, here are my thoughts.  I started out when I was 14 years old on
    a straight bench , one that my dad (who was a master hand engraver,
    jeweler and watchmaker) used for many years.  When I finally bought a
    cut out jewelers bench, (a real jewelers bench), I was very excited. 
    I used it for 2 years and hated the limited space.  On my straight
    bench, the bench pin is in the middle so I have elbow room on both
    sides.  My sweep drawer and tool drawer are the width of the bench so
    there is much more room.  I find that I sit straighter so my back
    does not hurt as much.  It is great for using the benchmate,
    especially the shelf that holds the engraving block.  The bench top
    has more space, and I have no problem catching all of my sweeps in
    the drawer.  Between the tool drawer, the sweep drawer , and  (if you
    remember from my first post) the two shalow drawers right under the
    bench pin, I have great arm rest at different heights.  I have
    trained 3 very good jewelers and they all used my old cutout bench
    until they built their own straight benches.  I finally gave away the
    cutout bench and haven't even thought about it until this thread
    started.  This all said, you can't go wrong either way, whatever
    works best for you.  It is very easy to build a fairly good straight
    bench cheaply. You might try it and if you don't like it buy the
    cutout.  I was lucky enough to have both at the same time to use. 

Good luck
Bill Wismar
enjoying the 70 degree temp in Denver
bill AT wismargalley.com


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