ergonomics

[JimErn]

So Santa brings me a new office desk chair, out with the old as they say.

Out in this case is my shop, I was already sitting on a stool, fairly high stool that positioned me so that my elbows were just slightly higher than the scroll table.

This old office chair will not go that high, elbows are below the saw table, decided to tr it anyway.  Danged it I did not find it easier to control the wood being cut.

So now I am curious, when you are at the saw, are your elbows below, even with, or above the saw table?

[Scrappile]

I think mine are slightly below, unless I am cutting something real fragile and get tense.  Then I think my shoulders are up over my ears and my elbow are as high as my shoulders should normally be!!

[WayneMahler]

Mine are about even with my table. I bought a tall bar stool with a swiveling cushioned seat and cut about 2 inches off the bottom of the legs. Works great for me. 

[Rob]

About level for me or maybe an inch below.

Rob

[Rockytime]

I guess I am probably in the minority. I adjust my stool so that my saw table is about halfway between my elbow and shoulder. I cut with my wrists often on the table and my face very close ti the table. I use 3+ reading glasses and use red patterns. I admire the scrollers that can sit straight up or stand and see what they are doing. Gives me a good whiff of sawdust too. Don't worry about sawdust as other things will get me first.

[wombatie]

6 hours ago, Scrappile said:

I think mine are slightly below, unless I am cutting something real fragile and get tense.  Then I think my shoulders are up over my ears and my elbow are as high as my shoulders should normally be!!

I'm with you Paul.  I read what you had written and thought "That is me"  

Marg   

[ScollSaw Slasher]

I'm like a vulture hanging above his next meal. Wrists on table, elbows hanging loose and prefer using just my reader glasses versus the light magnifier which is pushed to the side for the light only unless I  really want to see something close. Good posture is definitely not my forte! Of course with being so close, large patterns run into my overstuffed belly and I have to roll the chair back a little.

[OCtoolguy]

I sit on an old office chair that is at its max height. My saw has a slight tilt to it so when I'm sitting at it, my elbows are below the table and my wrists are on the table. I use a lighted magnifier. I really try hard to remind myself to relax and move around a bit when cutting. So far, everything seems to be aligned about right.

 

[Rockytime]

I guess I'm not alone with my nose practically on the tabl3

[OCtoolguy]

18 minutes ago, Rockytime said:

I guess I'm not alone with my nose practically on the tabl3

Not a bit Les. I sit with my face pretty close even with the magnifier. That's why I started wearing a dust mask, I found that after a couple of hours of cutting, it truly effected my breathing and my nose got caked with the fine dust. I have a deviated septum, (crooked nose) so one nostril is almost always closed. The other one gets really messed up with the dust.

 

[SCROLLSAW703]

I sit in a barber chair when I'm workin' at the saw. Yes, it is a little heavy to move, so I made a 3'' high platform the size of the base for it to sit on to ensure I can get enough height if I need it.(the price of bein' built low to the ground.;) 

All 5 of my scroll saws have 2'' casters on them so I can easily move them myself, and get them to my chair. I can adjust the height of my chair to each saw by raising or lowering the seat with the foot pump on the chair.

My BM - 26 is higher than any of the other 4 in the shop, and most of my work is done at the Hawk. I usually sit so the saw deck is about elbow high. I wear bifocals, so I want to be able see what I'm cuttin'. I have my shop lights arranged so that I have good lighting over the saw. I don't have any issues with relaxin' at the saw. I reckon experience has taught me patience, comfortability with my saws, and to enjoy what I am cuttin'. I don't answer to anybody, so what's the hurry? 

Sawdust703(brad)

 

[Rob]

22 hours ago, SCROLLSAW703 said:

I sit in a barber chair when I'm workin' at the saw. Yes, it is a little heavy to move, so I made a 3'' high platform the size of the base for it to sit on to ensure I can get enough height if I need it.(the price of bein' built low to the ground.;) 

All 5 of my scroll saws have 2'' casters on them so I can easily move them myself, and get them to my chair. I can adjust the height of my chair to each saw by raising or lowering the seat with the foot pump on the chair.

My BM - 26 is higher than any of the other 4 in the shop, and most of my work is done at the Hawk. I usually sit so the saw deck is about elbow high. I wear bifocals, so I want to be able see what I'm cuttin'. I have my shop lights arranged so that I have good lighting over the saw. I don't have any issues with relaxin' at the saw. I reckon experience has taught me patience, comfortability with my saws, and to enjoy what I am cuttin'. I don't answer to anybody, so what's the hurry? 

Sawdust703(brad)

 

Hmmm?  bringing the scrollsaw to the chair rather than the other way around?  I like your style sir!

Rob

[SCROLLSAW703]

Howdy Mr. Rob,

Thank you for the kind words, Sir.

I don't know as I'd go so far as to call it a style, my friend. My ol' back & legs are shot from sittin' in the pilot seat of a semi all my life. I don't have much liftin' power anymore, so I had to figure out some way to move my saws around without liftin' them. Sooo, I installed 2'' casters  on them, and that solved my issue. 

Sawdust703(brad)

[Jim Finn]

I have my scroll saw table at chest height as I sit in an old rolling office chair.  This puts my face near the work and as I cut I am sitting up straight.  I also wear glass (not plastic) +3 glasses and a dust mask.   Dust does not stick to the glass like it does to plastic. I spend hours at a time at this saw.

[crupiea]

Below the table.

[Toothpick]

Mine are blelow when I’m sitting. I’m more comfortable standing at the saw. But my saw is to low to be comfortable standing at it. So I sit.