Lee Love on thu 12 jul 01
----- Original Message -----
From: "mel jacobson"
>
> the really sad part about sit down wheels is that
> so many folks do not use their legs.
Mel, before I started at the workshop, I was a little worried abo=
ut
sitting at the wheel all day, all week, because of my experiences at home=
,
especially with leg cramps at the Shimpo when I was getting ready for a s=
how or
sale. I had the Shimpo raised and I sat at a bar stool type chair, whic=
h
seemed to help a little. |
What I have noticed, is that the deshis don't seem to have any
problems with their legs or backs. We all throw on Korean kickwheels.
Everyone has a foot rest for their non-kicking foot. Some of us, includi=
ng me,
have a foot rest at each foot. Once you have the pot pulled up and you =
are
just thinning and forming, the wheel will coast a long time. You can set=
both
feet down to steady yourself when finishing or trimming. I tend to pul=
l with
my left foot and kick with my right. I am certain, that using my legs=
has
helped my legs and protected my back. This, combined with hump throwing
(because you are not bent over the wheel), and sitting on a platform seem=
s to
protect the body.
On the otherhand, the Forman and the graduated deshis that come b=
ack to
help when things are busy, throw on electric wheels. They always compla=
in
about back problems.
When we make the body conform to machines rather than have the ma=
chines
conform to the human body, the body usually pays for it. I'm wondering=
if
someone should develop a "smart" electric wheel. One that had a roller=
ball
(like a big version of my Logictech trackball mouse) or two on the floor =
and
required you to periodically give the ball a spin to make the wheel go ro=
und.
The speed at which you spun the roller ball would determine how fast the
wheelhead spun. Maybe I should =AEpatent =A9that. ;^)
--
Lee Love
Mashiko JAPAN Ikiru@kami.com
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