[Jewelry making - Article 00430] - Re: [Orchid] Jewelers bench use and design

[brainnet]

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Hi All,

    Thank you to those who have responded to the survey on the bench so
    far, the information is shaping up very nicely. I thought I would
    share a snapshot of the answers to one of the survey questions, and
    it is posted below, and when I complete the project I will make all
    the information available here at Ganoksin. 

    This project is an example of Group Mind, one of the strengths of
    Orchid and the Ganoksin Project. Please consider adding your
    experience to the bench survey:

    http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=83902866525 

    thank you,
    Charles

    What would you tell someone who had never had a jewelers bench that
    is important to know about having and using one? 

    1. ergonomics! ergonomics! ergonomics! Everything at the right
    height for YOUR body (height, arm length, where your elbows are
    located along those arms) Save yourself future back, neck, shoulder
    problems which may impair/discourage/prevent you from doing what you
    love. An adjustable chair without wheels. The problem I see most
    often is a bench that is a few inches too low, so that you are
    hunching your neck and upper back; and a rolling chair, which diverts
    unnecessary energy/focus into anchoring yourself to the floor with
    your legs and feet... 

    2. Sit down at a prospective bench and make sure you are comfortable
    there, and everthing is, or will be within reach. Think about real
    estate, both on top, and in drawer space. Will the bench have room to
    hold all of the things you intend to have? 

    3. purchase a bench made with as much solid wood as possible (as
    opposed to pressboard), assembled using quality fasteners (not
    staples and brads), and which incorporates a reasonable amount of
    storage (like a column of drawers built in to one side) 

    4. It needs to be high enough to work at without bending over. 

    5. Bench height & chair height are very important. Tool storage and
    bench size are secondary but should still be a consideration. 

    6. three things: stability, placement and lighting. I placed my
    bench on blocks to bring it up to a height that was comfortable to me
    then bolted it to both the wall and the floor. There's nothing worse
    than having a bench that moves around when your pressing on it; and
    securing it reduces vibration on the bench when you have to hammer on
    it. Make sure that you have your bench in a convenient area and that
    you place your bench away from distractions while keeping in mind the
    traffic flow of your shop. It can be very unnerving to be totally
    concentrating on work and have someone innocently come up to you and
    startle you. Lighting...make sure you have a good amount of it.
    Natural light is good but it is inconsistent, so augment it. I like a
    mixture of florecent and halogen light at my bench. 

    7. It must be affixed to the floor or wall It must have a white top,
    like a kithcen counter top. 

    8. Proper work height and tool storage is most important. Armrests
    are a good addition. 

    9. Make sure it: - is solid (doesn't wobble around) - is a
    comfortable height - can take a beating - won't be inordinately
    damaged by a little hot metal falling on the surface every once in a
    while - isn't made of plasic 

    10. The important thing is working at a correct height with correct
    posture, and having your tools (and light source) easily accessible.
    A commercial bench is good for this, yet it is possible to make your
    own or make accessories that can be clamped to a table top when one
    cannot get a bench (due to expense or space). 

    11. Get a bench and chair that will put you at the right comfortable
    hight to work. 

    12. It needs good storage and a way of holding your tools at hand.
    The height needs to adjust to you (I am 5' 1" and have a hard time
    reaching, while my 6' 4" husband has the opposite problem. I wouldn't
    mind a "bullet proof surface. 

    13. Assumiing this person is a total beginner, I'd tell them the
    bench pin should be at their shoulder height. To get quality, but
    that it is not necessary to go overboard. To think about what kind of
    drawers are important to them. 

    14. You need to customize it to cooperate with how you work. 

    15. correct height, bench top relative to chest height 

    16. Figure out what you are planning to be making, including scale
    and techniques required, design around these requirements. If you are
    doing lots of chasing the bench should have a section at the right
    height for this task. If you tend to make larger objects, the bench
    should be scaled up to accommodate the work. 

    17. Get a proper chair, or you're turn into a humpback whale like
    me. That, and attach a strip of magnetic metal to the top of your
    bench somewhere, its really handy for keeping track of loose bits 

    18. Look at many different designs and if you can't find one you
    like then custom build one to your specs. 

    19. Needs to be sturdy with at least one pull out tray
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