gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,019
|
Post by gemfeller on Apr 1, 2016 13:41:11 GMT -5
I took a hint from the well-known illustration of old-time German cutters in Idar-Oberstein, Germany who laid on their bellies and used rests for their forearms while grinding on the huge six-foot diameter water wheel-powered sandstone wheels.
It gives me a tremendous amount of control in shaping cabs which I do free-hand, no dops. I have back problems and this arrangement allows me to spend more pain-free time at the wheels than when standing. Them Germans must have had wide elbows! Interesting you do free hand. Me too. I was wondering even before I got to your post about how another poll might be had for sitting / standing v back problems. I sit all day at work ('cept now I have a standing desk) so stand, but yes, control can be an issue, and it can be more than irritating watching a rock grind away as I scr*wed up a bevelled edge. I guess that now I know what I need to do ... arm rests. Diameter, Metalsmith, not Width! Although those big sandstone wheels were pretty wide too. Some had special grooves for shaping bowls and other decorative items. One of these days when I can organize my shop to look respectable I'll take some pictures of my humble set-up. I cut a lot of opals and find the arm rests invaluable in working those sometimes finicky cabs.
|
|