[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest              Monday, 29 November 1999      Volume 09 : Number 801

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 22:34:44 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6878] Carving/Printing bench. 

John  Amoss wrote....
>Now that my arm IS feeling well enough to raise it and ask Matt (along with
>the other hanga dudes and dudettes):

Re Printing.....
For about 4 years I did my printing sitting on a chair 32" high at my
printing table which is 36" high.
For the first 6 months of this year I took phsyo therapy to fix the
shoulder where the protective tissue between two bones got damaged.  (Don't
remember the medical terms. {I can remember having hot cereal for
breakfast}) Occupation hazard they tell me.

Now I stand at my printing table and have a lot less trouble with the
shoulder although it should be operated on to make it 100%   Someday....

I was printing with my upper arm out at a 45 angle rather than almost
straight down.  The Dr said this was an absolute no no....  At a standing
position which is a must for me, it is such that the pressure comes more
for upper body weight rather than arm and muscle strength.... I do not
rotate my upper arm and shoulder as much as the rotation from the elbow to
the wrist.  Made I much easier.  Now if I can get my legs to ......well
that's another story.

Re Carving.....
You have seen the device I use for carving....you used one at boot camp.
http://members.home.net/woodblocks/wksp2.html  One of the images shows
Barbara working in a very upright position.   This is an absolute must for
me and the need to care for, and have better back posture.  It allows you
to sit more upright and not curve the spine.    Also a very important
physical requirement for me.
I believe I posted the construction of my carving board ..... didn't I?

There is one more body part to consider.....  When washing out my inking
brushes I give them that shake with a snap of the wrist..... watch this
motion.   Most difficult and the joint.  I have tried several devices to
eliminate that motion.  Still have not got a good suggestion other that
using the full arm along with a wrist motion....  This requires going
outside to have room for the motion....


I am amazed at Dave sitting cross legged to do the job.....  I guess in my
late 40 I could have done it.
I don't want to nag but.... well you know what..... Probably the worst
possible posture of any occupation.

Graham


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End of Baren Digest V9 #801
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