Hand stabiliser. Anyone use one ?

[Bryian]

Hi guys,
starting to get some minor tremors in my hands due to my old age, and was considering purchasing a steady rest for working on my ship models.
Looking at the product made by Dspaie or similar. Just wondering if a member here has used something like this ?

thanks in advance.

 

[ConsNZ]

Bryian, never knew such a Stabilizer existed. For PE I usually rest my hand on my clenched fist while making sure both elbows are on the work desk/table. Works ok for me but seeing your post has me curious. As far as Dspaie is concerned they manufacture top quality only. Sorry to hear about the onset of hand trembles. Cheers.

 

[OlivierF]

When I was drafting before the advent of CAD I often used a “Mahl Stick” to avoid smudging the drawing and keep my hand steady for lettering. Never thought about that for modeling but maybe you’re on to something. I may look into a steady rest further…

 

[Bob Cleek]

That gizmo caught my eye, too. I gave it some thought, but decided it really wouldn't be that useful for me because I already had dealt with the ergonomics of my workspace and it seemed like the range of useful "reach" for this device was rather limited to rather small area. For instance, it wouldn't be much good for rigging work on the model itself. There certainly is a validity to the concept if one finds a use for it. The whole point of stabilizing the hands for fine work is to provide a solid rest which virtually eliminates unsteadyness.

As the saying goes, "There's a tool for that." It's called a "jeweler's bench pin." Jeweler's or watchmaker's benches are near-perfectly designed to serve the ship modeler's needs in the same way they serve jewelers, watchmakers, and others who do fine handwork professionally. Below is a selection of examples. Googling "jeweler's bench" "images" will get you tons of photos that will provide all sorts of ideas for making your own.

Jeweler's benches can be purchased from jewelers' supply houses for exorbitant amounts. Most professional jewelers apparently build their own to suit their own personal requirements, which is easily done by converting an old surplus wooden desk or even just building a "box" affair that can be laid on top of a desk or table.

There are a few distinguishing features of a jeweler's bench.

• The main (or "upper") work surface is at about the height of the sitting user's armpit. This permits the user to get "up close and personal" with the work for the best view. Most of us work on a "writing table" height surface, which is actually too far from the eyes for a lot of close work on miniatures.

The front edge of the bench top is cut in a "scoop" shape or similar to permit the user to rest their forearms on the "arms" of the scooped area to provide solid forearm support to keep hands steady. Alternately, as in the first photo below, some benches have articulated "arms" to provide this solid forearm support. This feature makes a huge difference in steadying hands and limiting fatigue. There are articulated forearm supports which may be attached to any table... for a price. Amazon.com : VIVO Universal Clamp-on Adjustable Armrest, Desk Cradle Rotating Elbow Cushion, Above Table Extension Platform Arm Support, Black, MOUNT-ARM01 : Office Products When the need arises next, I plan to buy a set of these clamp-on articulated ergonomic arm rests that can be attached to some sort of adjustable stand to permit their use when doing tedious rigging tasks, such as tying ratline clove hitches. Steady hands go a long way in avoiding flying parts, too. An example of a "store boughten" adjustable ergonomic forearm rest. Amazon.com : articulating arm rest (Two needed for jeweler's bench.) These are primarily marketed for use by tech industry keyboardists.

• Jeweler's benches usually have secondary working surfaces at "writing desk surface" level, sometimes in a form that permits their sliding out towards the user. It may be used for storing tools or catching flying parts. Others may have even more creative solutions for the problem of dropped small parts. In the second photograph below, there appears to be an elastic-fronted cloth "catch basket" that does its job with no more attention by the user than the user's pulling up their chair.
• Most jeweler's benches will have a "jeweler's bench pin," sometimes with a pin holder that integrates an anvil. This suitably shaped piece of semi-sacrificial wood is used as the primary working surface on the bench and generally replaces the "self-healing cutting mat" used by so many ship modelers. It's used to rest parts on for cutting, filing, and sanding. Some bench pins have a "forked" shape to be used in conjunction with a jeweler's saw for extremely fine sawing applications. (See the sawing pin on the third bench pictured below.) Bench pins are usually placed directly in the middle and in the front of the top working surface, although some users their bench pins wherever convenient. Around $25 USD https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jewelry-...Clamp-Steel-Block-Jeweler-Workbench/605151591

When working on the bench pin, the pin is used to support the hands and the workpiece which controls any unsteadiness of the hands. I'd suggest that if you aren't already using a bench pin, you pick one up and see whether it doesn't steady your hands considerably.

• Most users customize their benches with the goal of storing as many tools as humanly possible within arms' reach and the heights of creativity to which many rise is quite remarkable. A selection of online images of jeweler's benches is a rich source of storage ideas, to be sure. The more readily accessible tools are stored, the less time and energy is consumed in accessing them and the more time for productive work becomes available, a basic principle of "working smarter, not harder," especially when one's "time is money." Less reaching means less fatigue and, hence, steadier hands.

Note on this bench how the simple pull-out arms provide support for the elbows while the bench pin provides support for the hands. Another purposeful feature of the jeweler's bench is its height, which brings the close work to eye level, which is much easier on the neck and back muscles.



A common feature of jeweler's benches is a scooped front table top edge. The sides of the "scoop" provide for elbow and forearm support. This table has a "catch cloth" that minimizes hands and knees searches for small parts.







Simple conversion of an old desk:


In use, it might be said that a "wrap around" jeweler's bench is practically "worn" by the user. Some examples of benches in use by professionals are below.

Note how these professional jewelers all use their jeweler's bench pins and anvil as their primary working platform and how they use the bench pin as a steadying rest for their hands. Note, too, the working height of the benches. Also, these photos all demonstrate how the use of the bench pin tends to prevent the problem of finding dropped small parts: they just fall into the lower drawer or "catch cloth" and usually can be retrieved without ever getting out of your chair!

 

[Rich Carlstedt]

Bob, That is one of the finest postings on the subject that I have ever seen !
Thank you for that. I took a Jewelry Class many ,many years ago and they said nothing about what you covered
for our tool benches or support. I guess it was --you figure it out ?
Much appreciated
Rich

 

[Rob444]

That gizmo caught my eye, too. I gave it some thought, but decided it really wouldn't be that useful for me because I already had dealt with the ergonomics of my workspace and it seemed like the range of useful "reach" for this device was rather limited to rather small area. For instance, it wouldn't be much good for rigging work on the model itself. There certainly is a validity to the concept if one finds a use for it. The whole point of stabilizing the hands for fine work is to provide a solid rest which virtually eliminates unsteadyness.

As the saying goes, "There's a tool for that." It's called a "jeweler's bench pin." Jeweler's or watchmaker's benches are near-perfectly designed to serve the ship modeler's needs in the same way they serve jewelers, watchmakers, and others who do fine handwork professionally. Below is a selection of examples. Googling "jeweler's bench" "images" will get you tons of photos that will provide all sorts of ideas for making your own.

Jeweler's benches can be purchased from jewelers' supply houses for exorbitant amounts. Most professional jewelers apparently build their own to suit their own personal requirements, which is easily done by converting an old surplus wooden desk or even just building a "box" affair that can be laid on top of a desk or table.

There are a few distinguishing features of a jeweler's bench.

• The main (or "upper") work surface is at about the height of the sitting user's armpit. This permits the user to get "up close and personal" with the work for the best view. Most of us work on a "writing table" height surface, which is actually too far from the eyes for a lot of close work on miniatures.

The front edge of the bench top is cut in a "scoop" shape or similar to permit the user to rest their forearms on the "arms" of the scooped area to provide solid forearm support to keep hands steady. Alternately, as in the first photo below, some benches have articulated "arms" to provide this solid forearm support. This feature makes a huge difference in steadying hands and limiting fatigue. There are articulated forearm supports which may be attached to any table... for a price. Amazon.com : VIVO Universal Clamp-on Adjustable Armrest, Desk Cradle Rotating Elbow Cushion, Above Table Extension Platform Arm Support, Black, MOUNT-ARM01 : Office Products When the need arises next, I plan to buy a set of these clamp-on articulated ergonomic arm rests that can be attached to some sort of adjustable stand to permit their use when doing tedious rigging tasks, such as tying ratline clove hitches. Steady hands go a long way in avoiding flying parts, too. An example of a "store boughten" adjustable ergonomic forearm rest. Amazon.com : articulating arm rest (Two needed for jeweler's bench.) These are primarily marketed for use by tech industry keyboardists.

• Jeweler's benches usually have secondary working surfaces at "writing desk surface" level, sometimes in a form that permits their sliding out towards the user. It may be used for storing tools or catching flying parts. Others may have even more creative solutions for the problem of dropped small parts. In the second photograph below, there appears to be an elastic-fronted cloth "catch basket" that does its job with no more attention by the user than the user's pulling up their chair.
• Most jeweler's benches will have a "jeweler's bench pin," sometimes with a pin holder that integrates an anvil. This suitably shaped piece of semi-sacrificial wood is used as the primary working surface on the bench and generally replaces the "self-healing cutting mat" used by so many ship modelers. It's used to rest parts on for cutting, filing, and sanding. Some bench pins have a "forked" shape to be used in conjunction with a jeweler's saw for extremely fine sawing applications. (See the sawing pin on the third bench pictured below.) Bench pins are usually placed directly in the middle and in the front of the top working surface, although some users their bench pins wherever convenient. Around $25 USD https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jewelry-...Clamp-Steel-Block-Jeweler-Workbench/605151591

When working on the bench pin, the pin is used to support the hands and the workpiece which controls any unsteadiness of the hands. I'd suggest that if you aren't already using a bench pin, you pick one up and see whether it doesn't steady your hands considerably.

• Most users customize their benches with the goal of storing as many tools as humanly possible within arms' reach and the heights of creativity to which many rise is quite remarkable. A selection of online images of jeweler's benches is a rich source of storage ideas, to be sure. The more readily accessible tools are stored, the less time and energy is consumed in accessing them and the more time for productive work becomes available, a basic principle of "working smarter, not harder," especially when one's "time is money." Less reaching means less fatigue and, hence, steadier hands.

Note on this bench how the simple pull-out arms provide support for the elbows while the bench pin provides support for the hands. Another purposeful feature of the jeweler's bench is its height, which brings the close work to eye level, which is much easier on the neck and back muscles.



A common feature of jeweler's benches is a scooped front table top edge. The sides of the "scoop" provide for elbow and forearm support. This table has a "catch cloth" that minimizes hands and knees searches for small parts.







Simple conversion of an old desk:


In use, it might be said that a "wrap around" jeweler's bench is practically "worn" by the user. Some examples of benches in use by professionals are below.

Note how these professional jewelers all use their jeweler's bench pins and anvil as their primary working platform and how they use the bench pin as a steadying rest for their hands. Note, too, the working height of the benches. Also, these photos all demonstrate how the use of the bench pin tends to prevent the problem of finding dropped small parts: they just fall into the lower drawer or "catch cloth" and usually can be retrieved without ever getting out of your chair!

Thank you for all these amazing examples. You have made me jealous for those desks! I am afraid my Admiral would make me walk the plank if I suggested getting one!

Rob

 

[Korsan]

That gizmo caught my eye, too. I gave it some thought, but decided it really wouldn't be that useful for me because I already had dealt with the ergonomics of my workspace and it seemed like the range of useful "reach" for this device was rather limited to rather small area. For instance, it wouldn't be much good for rigging work on the model itself. There certainly is a validity to the concept if one finds a use for it. The whole point of stabilizing the hands for fine work is to provide a solid rest which virtually eliminates unsteadyness.

As the saying goes, "There's a tool for that." It's called a "jeweler's bench pin." Jeweler's or watchmaker's benches are near-perfectly designed to serve the ship modeler's needs in the same way they serve jewelers, watchmakers, and others who do fine handwork professionally. Below is a selection of examples. Googling "jeweler's bench" "images" will get you tons of photos that will provide all sorts of ideas for making your own.

Jeweler's benches can be purchased from jewelers' supply houses for exorbitant amounts. Most professional jewelers apparently build their own to suit their own personal requirements, which is easily done by converting an old surplus wooden desk or even just building a "box" affair that can be laid on top of a desk or table.

There are a few distinguishing features of a jeweler's bench.

• The main (or "upper") work surface is at about the height of the sitting user's armpit. This permits the user to get "up close and personal" with the work for the best view. Most of us work on a "writing table" height surface, which is actually too far from the eyes for a lot of close work on miniatures.

The front edge of the bench top is cut in a "scoop" shape or similar to permit the user to rest their forearms on the "arms" of the scooped area to provide solid forearm support to keep hands steady. Alternately, as in the first photo below, some benches have articulated "arms" to provide this solid forearm support. This feature makes a huge difference in steadying hands and limiting fatigue. There are articulated forearm supports which may be attached to any table... for a price. Amazon.com : VIVO Universal Clamp-on Adjustable Armrest, Desk Cradle Rotating Elbow Cushion, Above Table Extension Platform Arm Support, Black, MOUNT-ARM01 : Office Products When the need arises next, I plan to buy a set of these clamp-on articulated ergonomic arm rests that can be attached to some sort of adjustable stand to permit their use when doing tedious rigging tasks, such as tying ratline clove hitches. Steady hands go a long way in avoiding flying parts, too. An example of a "store boughten" adjustable ergonomic forearm rest. Amazon.com : articulating arm rest (Two needed for jeweler's bench.) These are primarily marketed for use by tech industry keyboardists.

• Jeweler's benches usually have secondary working surfaces at "writing desk surface" level, sometimes in a form that permits their sliding out towards the user. It may be used for storing tools or catching flying parts. Others may have even more creative solutions for the problem of dropped small parts. In the second photograph below, there appears to be an elastic-fronted cloth "catch basket" that does its job with no more attention by the user than the user's pulling up their chair.
• Most jeweler's benches will have a "jeweler's bench pin," sometimes with a pin holder that integrates an anvil. This suitably shaped piece of semi-sacrificial wood is used as the primary working surface on the bench and generally replaces the "self-healing cutting mat" used by so many ship modelers. It's used to rest parts on for cutting, filing, and sanding. Some bench pins have a "forked" shape to be used in conjunction with a jeweler's saw for extremely fine sawing applications. (See the sawing pin on the third bench pictured below.) Bench pins are usually placed directly in the middle and in the front of the top working surface, although some users their bench pins wherever convenient. Around $25 USD https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jewelry-...Clamp-Steel-Block-Jeweler-Workbench/605151591

When working on the bench pin, the pin is used to support the hands and the workpiece which controls any unsteadiness of the hands. I'd suggest that if you aren't already using a bench pin, you pick one up and see whether it doesn't steady your hands considerably.

• Most users customize their benches with the goal of storing as many tools as humanly possible within arms' reach and the heights of creativity to which many rise is quite remarkable. A selection of online images of jeweler's benches is a rich source of storage ideas, to be sure. The more readily accessible tools are stored, the less time and energy is consumed in accessing them and the more time for productive work becomes available, a basic principle of "working smarter, not harder," especially when one's "time is money." Less reaching means less fatigue and, hence, steadier hands.

Note on this bench how the simple pull-out arms provide support for the elbows while the bench pin provides support for the hands. Another purposeful feature of the jeweler's bench is its height, which brings the close work to eye level, which is much easier on the neck and back muscles.



A common feature of jeweler's benches is a scooped front table top edge. The sides of the "scoop" provide for elbow and forearm support. This table has a "catch cloth" that minimizes hands and knees searches for small parts.







Simple conversion of an old desk:


In use, it might be said that a "wrap around" jeweler's bench is practically "worn" by the user. Some examples of benches in use by professionals are below.

Note how these professional jewelers all use their jeweler's bench pins and anvil as their primary working platform and how they use the bench pin as a steadying rest for their hands. Note, too, the working height of the benches. Also, these photos all demonstrate how the use of the bench pin tends to prevent the problem of finding dropped small parts: they just fall into the lower drawer or "catch cloth" and usually can be retrieved without ever getting out of your chair!

Bob my compliments
This is the most informative and a very detailed practical excellent article.
Kind Regards

 

[Rob444]

Hi guys,
starting to get some minor tremors in my hands due to my old age, and was considering purchasing a steady rest for working on my ship models.
Looking at the product made by Dspaie or similar. Just wondering if a member here has used something like this ?

thanks in advance.

View attachment 538070

I see similar products on Amazon, also look at artists hand bridges. I find that reducing the level of caffeine I drink is a big help with shaking. Also you may want to consider magnesium supplements (I use magnesium glyconathe from Costco). I find this helps greatly, also has eliminated the muscle cramping I often got. Take it before bedtime, it helps with sleep.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Thanks Bob, I never gave the idea of Ergonomics any thought. I can see how these ideas might really improve things.

Roger

 

[Bob Cleek]

Thank you for all these amazing examples. You have made me jealous for those desks! I am afraid my Admiral would make me walk the plank if I suggested getting one!

Rob

Show her a picture of this one below. It looks like a nice piece of traditional furniture but opens up to become the mother of all jeweler's benches! It may look like some amazing antique, but, in fact, it's a piece of "steampunk" art made in the present era. The metal drawer slides are the giveaway.

Tell her you're going to treat yourself to one. When the yelling stops and the smoke clears, you may come away with a compromise to build a lesser bench to your own design. This tactic has worked for me on many an occasion.

As a tool wonk, I really wish I could get my hands on this monster and study it in detail. Found these pictures, but no other information on this bench. They appear to have originated in a Russian jewelry making forum, but just as sort of a joke in a thread on jeweler's benches. No details as to the maker or origin of the bench. The Russian jewelry forum was interesting, though. See: https://www.jportal.ru/forum/

 

[johnd2117]

My word Bob how do find anything on that conglomeration?!!

 

[Bob Cleek]

My word Bob how do find anything on that conglomeration?!!

Got me! But I'm sure it's owner spends a lot less time looking for a 1/4" widget wrench working at that bench without leaving his chair than I do walking all over my entire workshop!

 

[ConsNZ]

Bryian, never knew such a Stabilizer existed. For PE I usually rest my hand on my clenched fist while making sure both elbows are on the work desk/table. Works ok for me but seeing your post has me curious. As far as Dspaie is concerned they manufacture top quality only. Sorry to hear about the onset of hand trembles. Cheers.

yep! had a look online and the many examples. The DSPAIE looks to be the best as far as mobility ie working on a table, switching to a different work surface instantly like me, where I use the grandkids students desk, the outdoor BBQ table and even the dinner table when wife isn't home or the coffee table when watching sport on TV. All during a period of an hour or day. Looks to be a fantastic "Pick Up n Go" modeler's tool for use on various scale models 1/200, - 1,200 PE, miniature figures and model ship hulls as in SOS. Best of all it doesn't require a permanent work bench space. It's on my Christmas suggestion list. Thank you Bryian for bringing this to my attention.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Timely stuff! I am presently making two 1:96 scale steam Deck Engines and duplicate parts for four steam hoisting engines required down the road. Each finished mechanism will fit on a 3/8” x 1/2” rectangular pad. All from soldered brass.

The key parts are four supports for the gearing; two for each engine. Each is a triangle atop a rectangle with the bearing for the axle on top of the triangle. They are surprisingly complicated to make with do overs required to get the process down.

Today while sawing some excess brass off one, I launched it into the black hole that lurks in my shop. After wasting a good bit of the afternoon looking, I finally gave up and will make a new one.

I like the wrap around bench idea with arm supports. It should be easy to modify my bench.

Roger

 

[Wedgie01]

Hi guys,
starting to get some minor tremors in my hands due to my old age, and was considering purchasing a steady rest for working on my ship models.
Looking at the product made by Dspaie or similar. Just wondering if a member here has used something like this ?

thanks in advance.

View attachment 538070

Hi Brian,
Starting to note that a little myself; damn that ageing process. I'd be very keen to hear about how effective such a tool is. Will visit the web site and have a look.
Cheers,

 

[Bryian]

Found a cheaper hand stabiliser on Ebay for half the price.

 

[pugwash]

I made this; it straps to the edge of my table.
A rest for the fore arms, the 'pads' angles are adjustable.

Cost me less than a £