The Readers' PageLETTERS ABOUT WORKING WITH DISABILITES
from SGN #68:• Diane Hosteter
• Margaret Jambor
• Lisa Warriner
• Bert Ochterbeck
• Sue Vitagliano
• Richard Alley
• Shirley Dooley
• Pam Wegner
• Ron Chase
• Joanne DiNardo
• Vickie Kamerik
• RICHARD ALLEYI too cannot stand in one place for long periods of time without back and neck pain not to mention my knees not liking it either. There are only two operations I have to do standing in my shop
I have a drafting table for drawing. This is an old tilt top draftsman's table which I can lean against or on to relieve some of the stress as I work on new patterns. When cutting I also must be standing to have the degree of control I need for cutting intricate shapes. I use a Fletcher II cutter which is great for pattern cutting. I use a two handed cutting method for all pattern cuts, which gives me the control and accuracy that comes with 20 plus years of cutting glass. When grinding, only one or two passes across the grinder, and the glass is ready to foil.All other process such as foiling, soldering and cleaning are done from a seated position. I have a large table that is 36" deep by 60" wide and 32" high. On large panels, I solder from the center towards myself then spin the panel and solder the other side. I have several 3/4" thick pieces of plywood that I do my work on. This allows me to move the project as I work on it for the most comfortable position. On panels that I do not use zinc around the perimeter, I have made a tool that allows me to spin the project on its edge as I wrap it with a thin copper wire and solder. This strengthens the project and gives me the rounded edge that I prefer to see on my projects. I can do this step from a seated position and rotate the glass on its edge leaving both hands free to apply the wire and solder to even the most intricate edges of a project. I developed this tool so I do not have to have someone holding the project as I work the edges, and the area I am working on is always level. Even round panels are easy to wrap with the wire and solder.
I spend as much time as I can in my shop and have been known to work through the night. Bottom line is if one position is not good, look for an alternative way to do it. Or break the project up into smaller sections. Cutting a few pieces at a time, then siting down to foil them. And repeat the process until all pieces are cut, ground and ready to solder. This is such a wonderful hobby and brings so much joy not only to the person making the panels but to those who receive them too. If I have learned one thing working with glass through the years, it is do not give up—there is always a better way. And what works for me may or may not work for someone else.