Sitting or standing?

[Sue]

Hi all, I need your advice already please. I'm having a lot of trouble with awful pain around the nape of my neck. It could be tension, but I'm also wondering whether it's normal to sit or stand when carving. I watched a bit of film on YouTube a couple of weeks ago and the chap said to always stand up and have your bench at about hip height. Due to the pain I'm experiencing my husband seems to think that I'd be better off if I sat on the stool so I said I'd ask you all what you do. Please help with this as at present, though I'm thoroughly enjoying the carving, it's awful after I've finished a session as it's then that the pain really kicks in. Incidentally, I wear glasses with bi-focals if that makes any difference re positioning. Thanks a lot, Sue.

[Buckskin]

Sue, I wear bi-focals as well and I usually sit while carving. Sometimes I stand, but more often than not I have my seat planted.

Good luck!

[arbarnhart]

Mallet work, palm tools or knife? Hip height might be okay for mallet work, but I want most stuff around navel level.

[Dan S]

Just a thought, Throw a pad on the floor where you stand. If you stand on concrete for long periods in will play havoc on your spine. They sell foam pads at Home Depot for garage floors. They really don't cost much. You can alos find a foam pad for backpacking for about 6.00 at wallmart. It will do as well.

Dan

[doris]

i do stand while carving,i had problem with neckmuscles as long as the carving was too low. now i have the carving fixed pretty high, so i do not need bend over. and all is fine, i can carve as long as i wish without getting pains (oh, and necessary to mention, i carve with chisels, and mallet...)

[santacarver]

Hi Sue....welcome to the carving world! I spend about 8 to 12 hours a day carving and can offer the following tips/advice for you. When I built my carving bench, I designed it to be used with both a carving arm (which I use to rough out carvings) and sitting (to complete the details of each carving). When using my carving arm, I'm always standing. When I sit at my carving bench, I use a drafting chair that you can buy at any Staples, Office Max, etc. I use a drafting chair because you can adjust the height upwards to accomodate any size carving you may be working on and still be in the seated position! This really helps to prevent any neck/back strain. Another advantage is that it swivels. It's up to you whether or not you want to use the wheels or not (I do, so I can roll around my carving room without getting up)! Another thing....don't carve too long at any one time without a break....I usually take a ten minute break every hour or so (about two or three CDs)! However, the bottom line is.....find what works best for you to prevent straining your neck, etc., and your carving will be much more enjoyable. Hope this helps!

[Joy]

I usually stand while roughing out a carving. Then i sit on a tall stool for details. When first starting it is important to give yourself time to develope the muscles....whether sitting or standing.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Like most of the others I use both sitting and standing while carving. I do have tri-focals and use both them and a pair of cheap reading glasses from Walmart. I have one of the "hood" type magnifiers and don't mind using it when carving alone; but, do not like to use it when other folks are there. Too isolating.

That being said, I have found that the most comfortable position whether sitting or standing is to have the carving just about at neck level. That lets me focus without bending my head one way or the other.

[markken5889]

Hi Sue,

One more opinion into the fray...I sit on a stool when using a bench knife for detail work or "whittling" and stand when using mallet tools. I have my bench about navel level, and use a pad, from Woodcraft, to stand on, which seems to help alot when working for longer periods.

Good luck!

Mark

[A Willburger]

I stand when I carve and I have a carving platform that I can move up and down. Take a break once in a while.
Andy