[Woodcarver] Proper bench height

[Joe Dillett]

Hi Jean,

The bench height of one hand width below your elbow is for relief carving
with the board lying flat on the bench, typically grain running horizontal,
with a thickness being of an inch or two. Woodworkers benches are typically
lower to give the proper leverage for pushing hand planes or placing a piece
of furniture on top without being too high, however that height is too low
for carving because it does not allow you to stand erect while you carve.
Carving arms are designed to position the work so you are carving, typically
at eye level, so you are standing erect without bending or stretching.
Standing while you are carving allow the feet to interplay with the force
and control of your tool especially if you are pushing a chisel by hand.
Some of us need to sit because of health reasons or because of the unusual
size of the carving. When I sit I still find myself moving my feet to gain
additional leverage for tool control.

Proper carving height is when you can stand or sit in an erect position
without bending or stretching. Putting your body in a comfortable position
is the key to carving for longer periods of time with fatigue and develop
less health problems.


Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552
(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.com
jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett
http://www.citizenactions.org
**************************************************


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jean Athey" <atheyjm at yahoo.com>
To: "Woodcarver MailList Submission" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 4:47 PM
Subject: [Woodcarver] Proper bench height


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> Hi Joe,
> Regarding the bench height you mentioned, I noticed
> one Lister talked about relief carving on his bench.
> Hence a question....does the "one hand below elbow
> height" measurement refer to then laying a board flat
> on that benchtop, as in a relief carving, or do you
> need to put your benchtop height even lower than your
> suggested measurment if you are using a carving vise,
> such as the Veritas rotating vise I use? Once a
> carving, say a figure, is mounted on that vise, it
> makes the cutting range a lot higher. I think my bench
> must be too high--it's at elbow height, but I usually
> use my vise for 3D carvings, which must jack it up
> another 6" at least above the base of the vise-mounted
> carving. Any advice?
> Jean
>
>
>
>
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