Grinding position - which?

[Plain ol Bill]

OK guys - need some feedback here. The Unigrinder I am building is getting closer to completion daily. Rob Frink is making my wheels and I am at the point now to decide whether to grind standing up or sitting down. Seems to me (but then what the heck do I know)that you would have better control in a sitting position. Which do you feel is best, and why?

 

[Possum]

Howdy There Mr. Bill...!
I thought that I would throw my two cents worth in. I do my grinding standing up, and here are the reasons why.
I grind with the edge of the blade up and I like to look down on my guidelines to see exactly where I am as to the thickness and I seem to keep my grind straighter that way.
I seem to have better control for myself by standing when I grind. But, it is all in what works for you. Good luck...!
"Possum"

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Thomas Clegg

 

[george tichbourne]

The thought of sitting there with my legs spread apart exposing some tender areas to injury while I work with sharp objects causes chills to go up and down my spine.

Standing gives me a better than 50% chance of the knife missing my body enitrely if I lose it, actually I have never had one bounce off me yet while standing.

Another thing to consider, when a belt breaks and you are sitting there you will definitely get first hand experience.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[Eric Shaw]

Bill,

I grind sitting down because I do my best thinking that way. Only kidding! The reasons why I grind sitting down are:
1. I feel more control with my elbows on my thighs rather than in at my sides.

2. Sitting on a chair leaning forward puts your important pieces parts farther away than standing.

3. 98% of knifemakers in the U.S. grind standing up. Don't quote me on the fuzzy math

4. 98% of knifemakers in Japan grind sitting down. Again Fuzzy math

It really is personal preference whether to stand or sit but, those are my reasons.
I incorporated a vacuum system into the cabinet I built for my grinder (Bader B-III 1 1/2 HP variable speed 220v). It also gives me space to store my accessories.

Hope it helps

A real cut up one blade at a time!

 

[C L Wilkins]

Standing, period.

1. How else are you going to make use of your "organic tool rest"?

2. Better control. You never grind with your arms and hands. They are there just to hold the blank.

3. When you grind, remember, elbows in, and don't move the blank with your hands, you need to sway with your body.

4. If you sit, all the dust and filings end up in your face.

5. George Tichbourne's statement above. Safety first. There are less painful ways to get a vascectomy.

6. You will ultimately end up standing anyway, why not start out that way?

7. Grinder or contact wheel heighth is very important. It must fit YOU! Not your chair.

8. You are not always getting up and down to change belts or grinder set ups.

9. Standing is easier on your back than sitting.

10. The last time I checked, this ain't Japan

C Wilkins

 

[peter nap]

I've gotta go with C.L. I have mine mounted higher than most people because I have more control but that's just a personal thing. No matter the height, standing is the best way I've found.

 

[Eric Shaw]

Bill,

I guess if you have a thicker middle sitting would be uncomfortable and standing would be the answer, that way you could use your organic tool rest. If you are organically challenged sitting might just be for you.
Safety is always a priority. We should be aware of the signs of a worn or defective belt (thump thump thump). Don't align yourself with the belt when you start that grinder up. We should also be focused on the task at hand. There are some days when we're just not meant to grind. It is up to you to decide if you are up to task. The height of the grinder should fit you regardless if you're standing or sitting. Whether you stand or sit dust is a factor but, no advantage is to be had standing or sitting that mug of yours is no closer either way.

Ultimately it's your choice
Whatever floats your boat

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One Riot, One Ranger

 

[Plain ol Bill]

Thanks for the feed back guys! Now another questin for ya -- height of the contact wheel at axle equals -- what? Belly button, or ????

Will finish construction for standing (can always cut it down later for sitting if my legs won't take the strain - that is why I was considering the sitting position)

 

[Danbo]

I like the position with me sitting on my ass watching TV, and some custom knifemaker doing the grinding for me.

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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo

 

[NickWheeler]

Bill-

The best thing to do is to come up with a way to mount that Unigrinder at different heights and see what feels the most natural.

Of course you can mount it anywhere and just aclimate to it, but I saved a lot of wasted steel by setting mine up so that I could vary it's height...which lead to the heighth of the bench it's on now (the one you have seen).

My contact wheel is pretty much centered at my belly button, give or take a little depending on my stance.

When you get tired of standing in front of that beast, go do some handle work

Let me know how that monster is coming along!

Later,
Nick

 

[tom mayo]

I will agree that sitting down is NOT a safe option.....I know a few knifemakers who could tell you stories about this... You want to be able to JUMP back at any time! NO JOKE!!

 

[Bruce Bump]

John Davis has his burr king mounted to an old barber chair hydraulic lift. He took the chair off first. He can just pump it up to any height he likes. People here in Washington are just smart like that. Bruce