Sycamore67 Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 I started with the scroll saw due to back problems as I could not spend a long time on my feet. My lower back was fused and I have a bunch of deck screws in there. I also have a metal hip and other things. I suffer from chronic back and leg pain. More than a year ago I got an spinal cord stimulator put in and it helps with the pain. Now I am bionic, I have to keep my battery charged. There is typically no one cure for back pain but a bunch of different things. Note: Taking someone else's medication is not a good idea no matter what it is. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 4 hours ago, octoolguy said: I can tell, you were never an air traffic controller were you? Nope, 50 years married! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 8 minutes ago, Scrappile said: Nope, 50 years married! I can relate. 48 in and working on 49. I also have what they call "selective hearing". I seem to miss a lot. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 55 years here. And to the same woman! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyred Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I am a lot like the others here with back problems, can't stand for very long. One of the best things I have gotten for my shop is a drafter's chair, basically an office chair that can be raised to the height of a bar stool. It has a back on it for support, and arm rests if you want them (I don't use them, they just get in the way). It is on wheels so it is easy to move from one work station to another. Most of my working career was as a drafter, so this was a no-brainer for me. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 2 hours ago, jollyred said: I am a lot like the others here with back problems, can't stand for very long. One of the best things I have gotten for my shop is a drafter's chair, basically an office chair that can be raised to the height of a bar stool. It has a back on it for support, and arm rests if you want them (I don't use them, they just get in the way). It is on wheels so it is easy to move from one work station to another. Most of my working career was as a drafter, so this was a no-brainer for me. If I want to buy one, where would I go? Is it a Staples item or a specialty? Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blights69 Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 On 28/01/2018 at 1:50 AM, octoolguy said: How do you folks work in your shops without making your back scream at you. I can't stand on my feet anymore. If I sit, it makes my back sore. Anybody have any input on how you help your back? I inherited my Dad's bad feet so I have a terrible time getting shoes that are comfortable too. I'm a mess. I'm just curious as to whether anybody else fights the lower back pain. Ray I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back no chance of surgery yet too young and have not exhausted all avenues of pain relief yet so at the moment I take strong meds Morphine and codeine and diazepam for the spasms, I also have a regular epidural injections under xray to the affected area I have trouble sitting and standing for any length of time I tried all chairs stools etc in the end got fed up with trying and them not working so made my own to suit my size height etc out of stud frame timber I now use that and stand sit as I feel comfortable to do then go walkabouts when it hurts too much but it has allowed me to carry on tinkering, at the moment I have my saw flat on the bench no angle I found this worked better for me for some reason at an angle it hurt more may of been the neck position looking down onto saw or something not sure but it is easier for me to have saw flat others find it easier angled but here is my chair I know it looks like Jack and the beanstalk giants chair but it is made to my exact height no struggling getting on or off and a great high back I also now have cushions pinned to the seat and back, I have yet to get her indoors to let me bring it in the house The main thing is to use something whether bought or made to keep you in the shop now and then as there is no better medicine than being in the shop no pill will ever be as good as making something with your hands and mind that is the best therapy for any ailment in my view so whatever you need to do to get there do that OCtoolguy, bobscroll and Lucky2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevan Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I can relate but my issues are in my neck and I have thought about getting an adjustable chair/stool. If you go this route, how do you use/control your saw foot pedal? (I'm like all of 5'5" and my feet are not going to reach the floor if I'm sitting on an elevated chair). OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, stevan said: I can relate but my issues are in my neck and I have thought about getting an adjustable chair/stool. If you go this route, how do you use/control your saw foot pedal? (I'm like all of 5'5" and my feet are not going to reach the floor if I'm sitting on an elevated chair). Stevan, mount the foot control, so that you can operate it with your knee. Install a piece of wood on the chair or stand in a way, that it's comfortable to use your knee to operate it with. Doing his will cause you to have to learn to use your knee to keep the saw running, but that shouldn't take very long. Len stevan and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunkthekid Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I know I am just a pup and most of you have been working your butts off longer than I have but I am right there with you when it comes to back pain. I have been bucking shingles since I was 18 and there were a few times that I had some serious issues but since I was young and invincible I just kept working through the pain. Well now that pain never really goes away. Sometimes it's my lower back and I catch myself standing like a question mark. Other times it creeps up to between my spine and shoulder blades. The "tens" unit that Kevin is talking about is basically a smaller version of what they hook you up to when you go the chiropractor. They stick different electrodes on the problem areas and then pump electricity through them. Its like a deep massage and feels really good. I bought a home version at walgreens and it is surprisingly powerful. It is no bigger than a small ice pack and runs for about 20 minutes. I spent around $30 for it I believe but you have to buy new sticky pads every so often, $14 for 2 sets. I wish I had a solution that really helped but I am to the point that the only thing the gets me past the pain is to grin and bear it. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 (edited) I worked in the Machines shops standing on concreet floors for 8 to 10 hours a day, that's hard on the back too. I made me a wooden slatted platform to stand on and It really helped a lot I found that it was better than rubber mats. A wooden platform about 3/4 " above the floor would probably help. My shopn is a wooden shed 8''X12' with plywood floors. when sawing I useally take a break every 3/4 to 1 hour and I can work all day with out my back bothering me much at all. My saw is on a homemade stand wit the baack up about 2 " at the hight of standing with the stool that I use. I am 78 years old so pain in the back is a common thing but I just bear it. IKE Edited January 29, 2018 by ike OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrampaJim Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Anyone here NOT have back problems? I have sciatica and also cant stand for long. I found that an exercise called planks or planking helps a lot. bobscroll, OCtoolguy and stevan 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 (edited) Going to say something, Ray,,, I think the reason there are so many back problems is probably most of us scrollers are getting pretty "long in the tooth". We already spent many years abusing our backs and the rest of our bodies. We are bound to feel pain. Getting old is not for the faint of heart. We just hobble along and wish we had been better keepers of our carcasses. Edited January 29, 2018 by Scrappile jollyred, blights69 and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hineps Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 We used to get over the aches and pain,now we just get used to them. Phil OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 I veryseldon have back trouble due to sawing. I have a wooden floor cement is a killer even with a rubber mat. IKE OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyred Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 12 hours ago, octoolguy said: If I want to buy one, where would I go? Is it a Staples item or a specialty? Ray Got mine at Staples. I would imagine most office supply stores would have them or could order one. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 7 hours ago, blights69 said: I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back no chance of surgery yet too young and have not exhausted all avenues of pain relief yet so at the moment I take strong meds Morphine and codeine and diazepam for the spasms, I also have a regular epidural injections under xray to the affected area I have trouble sitting and standing for any length of time I tried all chairs stools etc in the end got fed up with trying and them not working so made my own to suit my size height etc out of stud frame timber I now use that and stand sit as I feel comfortable to do then go walkabouts when it hurts too much but it has allowed me to carry on tinkering, at the moment I have my saw flat on the bench no angle I found this worked better for me for some reason at an angle it hurt more may of been the neck position looking down onto saw or something not sure but it is easier for me to have saw flat others find it easier angled but here is my chair I know it looks like Jack and the beanstalk giants chair but it is made to my exact height no struggling getting on or off and a great high back I also now have cushions pinned to the seat and back, I have yet to get her indoors to let me bring it in the house The main thing is to use something whether bought or made to keep you in the shop now and then as there is no better medicine than being in the shop no pill will ever be as good as making something with your hands and mind that is the best therapy for any ailment in my view so whatever you need to do to get there do that I like it. Plain and simple is the best way. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, jollyred said: Got mine at Staples. I would imagine most office supply stores would have them or could order one. I did a Google search for them and was surprised at how many different variations there are. And, Staple does have them. I will have to drop over and see if they have any that I can try. Either that or I'm going to build a stand for the Hegner as I did for my Dewalt so I can just use the same chair for both. I don't seem to have the problem when sitting at my Dewalt. Thanks for your suggestion. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl S Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 This one from Sears looks pretty comfortable, Yesterday it was $10.00 cheaper. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-hydraulic-stool-red/p-00982941000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweb Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 That’s the chair I use, craftsman’s, but black, very comfortable, RJ OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianr24 Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 13 hours ago, blights69 said: I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back no chance of surgery yet too young and have not exhausted all avenues of pain relief yet so at the moment I take strong meds Morphine and codeine and diazepam for the spasms, I also have a regular epidural injections under xray to the affected area I have trouble sitting and standing for any length of time I tried all chairs stools etc in the end got fed up with trying and them not working so made my own to suit my size height etc out of stud frame timber I now use that and stand sit as I feel comfortable to do then go walkabouts when it hurts too much but it has allowed me to carry on tinkering, at the moment I have my saw flat on the bench no angle I found this worked better for me for some reason at an angle it hurt more may of been the neck position looking down onto saw or something not sure but it is easier for me to have saw flat others find it easier angled but here is my chair I know it looks like Jack and the beanstalk giants chair but it is made to my exact height no struggling getting on or off and a great high back I also now have cushions pinned to the seat and back, I have yet to get her indoors to let me bring it in the house The main thing is to use something whether bought or made to keep you in the shop now and then as there is no better medicine than being in the shop no pill will ever be as good as making something with your hands and mind that is the best therapy for any ailment in my view so whatever you need to do to get there do that This looks like it’s missing electricity. Lol reminds me of an electric chair. a nice one tho! OCtoolguy and blights69 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 5 hours ago, Karl S said: This one from Sears looks pretty comfortable, Yesterday it was $10.00 cheaper. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-hydraulic-stool-red/p-00982941000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4 I've got one very similar to that one but I'm not sure if it's exactly like it. Same shape and configuration. The back rest is too short for me and I don't get any use out of it. The seat is too small for my butt and the back rest is too close to the seat. Other than that, it's perfect. Ha! If you lived closer, I'd give it to you. Ray meflick and Lucky2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blights69 Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 10 hours ago, Brianr24 said: This looks like it’s missing electricity. Lol reminds me of an electric chair. a nice one tho! Shhhhhhhhhh she may well hear you and plug me in bobscroll, meflick and OCtoolguy 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted January 30, 2018 Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 I have that Craftsman chair and it works and supports my back. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted January 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2018 13 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said: I have that Craftsman chair and it works and supports my back. How tall are you and do you consider yourself average size or ????????? I'm 6' 1" and I weigh 225 lbs. I found the shop chair that I bought from Northern Tool to be too small for my size. It looks like the Craftsman chair but might be smaller. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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