Working Position

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

I'm starting to think I might need to reconsider the layout of my workspace and wondered what you experienced people would suggest. At the moment I have a worktop level area and I stand to use my torch. I tend to move the mandrel into my right hand then actually use both hands to steady things but them I'm standing to the right of the flame and not seeing the bead straight on.
I could move to my jewellers bench which is slightly higher and has a seat the perfect height but thats a huge shift around and will mean my silversmithing needs to move somewhere else. Its doable but before I shift everything I just want to see if anyone else works standing up, my poor results may be either due to my relative inexperience but might also be due to my working position
So, what do you think? Is working standing up something anyone else does or am I making things hard for myself?
Happy new year one aand all!
Helen

[Les]

I'd definitely recommend a tall stool for when you are working glass. I know of one or two people that work standing up, and I honestly have no idea how you all manage it, hehe ... I can't make anything remotely straight if I have to stand ... so hats off to all you stand up beaders !

I just use a £5 fold up tall stool that I got from either wilko or B&M if I remember correctly

Oh and hello from a fellow Leek person, by the way Although I have moved up the road to sunny Stoke now

[★★Terri★★]

My work space is so small I have no option but to stand - but I find that even when I have the option to sit I will always end up standing.  With that in mind I did make my work bench at a height suitable to work at standing - the torch is just set just below chest height - no where to rest my arms though and I'm not sure I could make the room to incorporate anything suitable. 

I tend to hold the mandrel in my left hand to wind the glass on and then immediately swap to the right and use both hands to shape - the mandrel then seems to swap back and forth between right and left.  This is probably why nothing I make is perfectly shaped.

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

I tend to hold the mandrel in my left hand to wind the glass on and then immediately swap to the right and use both hands to shape - the mandrel then seems to swap back and forth between right and left.  This is probably why nothing I make is perfectly shaped.

Thats sounding just the same way that I work except your torch is higer than mine which might be better but before I try that I'm thinking now that a simple shift so the torch faces slightly to the left would compensate for my standing slightly to the right (mainly so I can lean on the work surface to steady myself) My hands are not that steady but gradually I'm getting roundish beads
Thank you!

[Les]

Do you have a creation station ? I have terribly shaky hands and couldn't manage without mine now, the support for my wrists is brilliant

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

Do you have a creation station ? I have terribly shaky hands and couldn't manage without mine now, the support for my wrists is brilliant

No I dont have one but I have been thinking maybe I should go for it. My left side is worse than my right but maybe steady support would help. I thought Martin did them but cant see any on his site, where did you get yours?
Thanks
Helen

[Les]

I bought mine from Blue Moon Glass in the States. It might be worth dropping Tuffnells a line to see if or when they'll be back in stock

[turnedlight]

I used to work standing up, and as soon as I got my torch at a desk my stringer control improved. I don't think working standing up is ideal.. I don't use a creation station though, nor did I when standing up.

[SleepySnailSam]

Re: I thought Martin did them but cant see any on his site, where did you get yours?

Tuffnells have got them back in stock now - they re-stocked at the start of Jan.

Sam