Just wanted to say that because I was always bending over and most of my work was done on the floor. " living room no tables to work off of ".
Then about a week and a half ago, the back and " replaced hip " started to hurt like - well you know.
Now I put every thing I can on some sort of table, got those small coffee tables, and work off them.
The Chiropractor is doing some good. Finally starting to fell better.

Build those tables and get them at a good working height to work from, or you will fell it later.

Having a table to work on is important but probably more important is your height compared to the table when you're actually working at it. I started having some trouble with my back after spending even an hour at my workbench. I realized I was hunched over, lowered the chair about 3" and no more problems.

Bill; you hit the nail on the head. I can and do relate with your pain. Back in Feb. I started a new job. I was working constuction ( I'm a certified Industrial Electrician ) but my new job requires alot of desk work. Writing out job plans, updating plans, and scheduling work. I'm not use to this much stationary work. I have a couple of injuries from my earlier year as a cowboy. ( I rode bulls for a few years ) Now from sitting alot and of course the age thing, I have really started to feel the bad knee and broken hip again. So your advise IMO is GOLDEN. Lots of luck and happy healing.

ACUPUNCTURE......It has literally saved my life. There is no such thing as a horse that can't be ridden or a cowboy that can't be throwed. Trust me.

Derek

My primary care Doc has a sign in one of his examination rooms, that says, getting old ain't for sissies. Truer words were never spoken.

Later,
Gerald Mc

I FEEL YOUR PAIN BILL
im 41 with two back surgeries in less than a year and they are talking about a third.
when ya have to have help to get your shoes and socks on because you cant reach your feet anymore
it aint fun . everyone needs to take care of thier body and not get the idea that they are the ones that
think it only happens to other people. bending over; twisting; slip and fall; just little things
can wind up putting flat of your back and unable to get around.
hope your back heals well with no problems.
good luck

So, are there guidelines somewhere on the web or a back order of RM on the ergonomics of rod building?

Gentlemen,

I can certainly "feel" your pain. I was once (up until about a year ago) a guy who camped out in the gym. Weight lifting, bicycling, running - all took their toll on me because I couldn't seem to do anything in moderation. At 5'9", 210 lbs, I had the build of a runningback, the knees of my grandfather, and the back of my grandmother. But to tell you the truth, I did some of the most noteworthy damage to my physique leaning over my fly tying vise or rod building lathe. One would usually think that tinkering with such a "placid" hobby would have so little consequence to your health. But if you get as intense as me when shaping a grip on your lathe, or diamond wrapping an intricate pattern just "uptream" from your grip (and you know you're intense when you have the Michael Jordan Tonge thing goin' on), your posture always seem to take a back seat to your craft.

I can certainly appreciate a good chiropractor as much as anybody (in fact I developed an enormous crush on my last one - an Angelina Jolie look alike who knew better that to be receptive to my advances), but there's no substitite for pre-rod building stretching. Yes stretching. And not to sound like a health nut, but water increases vascular flow like nothing else - so push those fluids!

To good health, creative rod building, and good looking Chiropractors who say "yes" when you ask them out on a date!

Torin.

heck I got two hip replacements.
from doing body work for 30 plus years and of course there was never enough floor jacks so a lot of times I would just grab doors and bumpers and lift them off the car. Those 60's and 70's cars are not built like the ones today. They are made of thick steel. heavy ??? had to be a mocho thing.
Got a man as my Chiropractor, would love to have a woman so I could close my eyes and dream as she bent be up LOL
Plus in my younger days riding a Chopper Hard Tail bike did not help either