Back and neck problems.

macguy

macguy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have been working at lathes long before I became interested in cues. I recently am having back pain and neck pain I know is coming from being stooped over the lathe for hours at a time. Any one have any experience with back supports? My wife got me one like the people at home depot ware but and I feel a difference but I want something better if I can get it. I may see a doctor if I have to.
 
i used to have lower back problems........those little supports like they wear at home depot didnt do a thing for me. I did try wearing a heavier belt, like you use for weightlifting and it helped immensely. You can get them at walmart for 15 or 20 bucks......if lower back support is what your needing i highly recommend it. Just put it on and snug it really tight......should be fine when you are standing, too tight when ur sitting.
 
Lengthy use of Home Depot type of back supports, or any other type tend to weaken your abdominal muscles. If you do wear the Home Depot type make sure that the top of the support is below your belly button. Most people wear them improperly.
 
macguy said:
I have been working at lathes long before I became interested in cues. I recently am having back pain and neck pain I know is coming from being stooped over the lathe for hours at a time. I may see a doctor if I have to.
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Had the same problems. I assume your lathes are yours to do with as you please. If this is the case why are you STOOPED OVER? Isn't there a saying or something that sort of goes like "if your back can't take the stooping over to get your hands stuck in the chuck then move the lathe UP to your hands or comfort level". I RAISED all my lathes up to my comfort level. Put them on a different stand or put metal blocks (like shims on a pool table) under the legs (suggest you bolt them to the floor). The first picture on my web page shows the level of my lathes if you need a reference on how high to raise them. It works - my back doesn't ache from the lathes like it used to - don't understand why the makers put them so low - guess they think everyone is 5'1''. Good luck - it is a little work on your part but it works.
Jack Madden
www.johnmaddencues.com
 
Seems As if the lathes do not bother me that bad, guess I have the heights setup where I need it. Have you tried those mats under your feet?
the panto is what tears my neck up.
 
Cue Crazy} the panto is what tears my neck up.[/QUOTE said:
The pantograph also creates other problems - long time in same position with just your arm and hand moving. The arms go numb from the shoulders to the finger tips. And of course the stiff neck - one part hurts and the other parts you can't feel!! And don't breathe the dust as it is cutting!
John Madden
www.johnmaddencues.com
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Michael Webb said:
Jack Madden
Have you hooked up an air hose so as you cut it blows the dust away from you.
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Mike,
Yes, I have - invested a lot of money in a dust collection system for my whole shop. Changed quite a few things but like everything in life you usually don't do it right the first time, so I didn't have any dust system when I first used the pantograph. I now have a dust collection system and the good old shop vacs with clamped on hoses as a back up. Thanks - hopefully, some of the guys starting out will take notes and put the dust collection as one of the first things they set up.
Jack Madden
www.johnmaddencues.com
 
Jack Madden said:
Mike,
Yes, I have - invested a lot of money in a dust collection system for my whole shop. Changed quite a few things but like everything in life you usually don't do it right the first time, so I didn't have any dust system when I first used the pantograph. I now have a dust collection system and the good old shop vacs with clamped on hoses as a back up. Thanks - hopefully, some of the guys starting out will take notes and put the dust collection as one of the first things they set up.
Jack Madden
www.johnmaddencues.com
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Hey Jack,
I appologise for not repling sooner. Thanks for your concern, Unfortunatly I found out the hard way myself some time ago that even the panto will get you, as you seemed to have learned yourself from the sound of your post. I even made the mistake of hooking air pumps up to blow the grooves out LOL. to make It worse Cocobolo. needless to say I've probably done things to my lungs that can't be reversed. I am trying to improve my dust collection, but as you mention, to do It properly, can get Kind of expensive, but it is a priority as well. I do agree It should priority for anyone getting into this, unless they like staying sick all the time. Can't have any fun turning cues like that.

Greg
 
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Michael Webb said:
Don't be surprised, we all found out the hard way.
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Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one. I was thinking about starting to use my spray mask, and get a new one for spray. was thinking about rubber banding a couple of dust masks over the charlcoal canisters or something to help with the partical filtration. Think that would help any? Ofcoarse I still use a shop vac attatched to what ever cutter I am using now, and really do need a couple of collectors. Actually went to get one, and came home with a mill instead, which was a bad Idea. I still will be getting those. I was thinking about building a couple of hanging units also. Curious If anyone has built there own on those. Seems very doable to me, but then again I have not actually done it yet.


Thanks, Greg
 
Cue Crazy said:
Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one. I was thinking about starting to use my spray mask, and get a new one for spray. was thinking about rubber banding a couple of dust masks over the charlcoal canisters or something to help with the partical filtration. Think that would help any? Ofcoarse I still use a shop vac attatched to what ever cutter I am using now, and really do need a couple of collectors. Actually went to get one, and came home with a mill instead, which was a bad Idea. I still will be getting those. I was thinking about building a couple of hanging units also. Curious If anyone has built there own on those. Seems very doable to me, but then again I have not actually done it yet.


Thanks, Greg
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Cue Crazy,
If you use a mask to protect yourself from dust,make sure that it has a HEPA rating ,it will catch the realy small stuff that does the long term damage to the lungs,most cheap paper filters wont work.My "real"job in the mining industry requires me to wear one daily as it is a very dusty enviroment,what we wear is a 3M mask that is supposed to be disposable,but lasts a long time,it is also very lightweight.Your spray mask is most likely only for vapor protection.The 3M mask has various filters available including a snap on HEPA filter for vapor cartridges or just a filter for dust only.Hope this helps
Wayde
 
Wayde said:
Cue Crazy,
If you use a mask to protect yourself from dust,make sure that it has a HEPA rating ,it will catch the realy small stuff that does the long term damage to the lungs,most cheap paper filters wont work.My "real"job in the mining industry requires me to wear one daily as it is a very dusty enviroment,what we wear is a 3M mask that is supposed to be disposable,but lasts a long time,it is also very lightweight.Your spray mask is most likely only for vapor protection.The 3M mask has various filters available including a snap on HEPA filter for vapor cartridges or just a filter for dust only.Hope this helps
Wayde
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Hello Wayde,
My better halfs father use to be in that line of work many years ago, and have heard stories about the problems It can cause.
The mask I have is for the most part is vapor, and has something around 98% actual partical filtration, so is the reason I got the Idea to put something over it. the 98 just is not perfect, pluss wanted to try to keep the dust out the canister. I will do a search to see If I can find a canister more suited. Thanks for the input.

Greg
 
Back to the original problem for a moment: when I worked in the kitchen I was on my feet for 13-14 hours at a stretch, and my back was in excruciating pain for weeks on end (I'm only 23). The only thing that helped was good shoes, and in my case they were New Balance sneakers. I went through 7 different pairs, but NB did the trick.

If you're on your feet working on cues all day, you better get some supportive footwear.

-Roger
 
back pain

macguy said:
I have been working at lathes long before I became interested in cues. I recently am having back pain and neck pain I know is coming from being stooped over the lathe for hours at a time. Any one have any experience with back supports? My wife got me one like the people at home depot ware but and I feel a difference but I want something better if I can get it. I may see a doctor if I have to.
Click to expand...

i'm on a computer all day and for awhile, i was experiencing serious pain in my shoulder/back area........in trying to play my neck/shoulder would be very painful while trying to execute a shot so i went to a masseuse which helped & she also sold a very simple item for $15 called a wrist wand when applied correctly really stretches all your back & shoulder muscles......go to www.wristwand.com & get the information.......i use it every day & have not had any reoccurence.......
 
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