SDFWA

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association

Spotlight: Proper Posture Reduces Stress

We all want to continue woodworking as long as we can, proper posture can help avoid injuries and reduce stress on our bodies.

The best posture for woodworking involves a stable, balanced stance. Here are the key elements to proper posture when woodworking. If you are sore after woodworking, check your stance against this simple checklist.

Standing Posture

Feet placement: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, distributing your weight evenly. One foot can be slightly forward, like a baseball pitcher, to generate power.
Work height: Your workbench or work surface height should allow you to work with your forearms parallel to the floor, eliminating the need to reach or bend excessively.
Back and hips: Keep your back straight and your spine in a neutral alignment. When leaning down, bend at your hips and knees, not by rounding your back.
Shoulders and arms: Keep your shoulders relaxed, not hunched. Maintain a comfortable grip on tools, avoiding “white-knuckling” to prevent fatigue.
Balance: Brace yourself against the workbench or a machine for added stability when needed.

Here is a video that demonstrates proper posture while carving and for general woodworking. Check it out.

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.