Art table, drafting table, sofer's table, what do you use?
I am also curious about what angles, positions, and sitting positions you find best.
Please share any experiences and information.
Thanks!
I am also curious about what angles, positions, and sitting positions you find best.
Please share any experiences and information.
Thanks!
I use a sofer table very similar to the one in your first picture. I just got it about 2 years ago. Before that I wrote 5 sifrei torah on a folding table with a board propped up on a couple of wooden blocks. The fancy table is definitely more comfortable, but my old system worked just fine as well.
ReplyDeleteRe angle, just keep in mind that the steeper the angle, the lighter the ink flow will be. So depending on how you prepare your quill, how thin your ink is and how fast you write, you should adjust the angle to get a good ink flow.
I was a designer, so I had a Ridgeway Drawing Stand and I've found it adapted fine to Sofrut. http://www.blundellharling.com/products.asp?recnumber=49 is similar. However the key really is to get up and stretch or at least lean backwards periodically to compensate from all the leaning forwards!
ReplyDeleteI use this one http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Designs-Futura-Craft-Station/dp/B001KWEYP4
ReplyDeleteI've used the sofer tables and they are triple the price. The only thing missing from a drafting table is the fact that they are on an angle precludes leaving an inkwell on the table (sofer tables have a flat ledge)
where do you put your ink?
DeleteTo participate myself, I currently use a computer table with a smooth board from an old cabinet propped up at an angle, similarly to what Reb Aaron Shaffier mentions above.
ReplyDeletei use the first table pictured and find it works great with a slight angle. the angle you may choose depends on personal preference, quill angle and just what feels comfortable to you
ReplyDeletei also went to a tin guy (פחח) and asked him to cut a strip of tin that covers most of the writing surface
the local craft store has an A4-sized magnetic sheet that has adhesive on it's 2nd side. i cut the sheet in half and adhered both halves to opposite sides of the writing surface so that the magnetic side holds the tin strip in place on the writing surface
the craft store also has little magnets (comes in packs of 12) which i use to hold the klaf in place. it is much cleaner, neater and easier to adjust as the writing progresses
have fun experimenting
l'chaim!
I started with a drafting table but switched to a “Yanai” sofer table (the one pictured at top). Besides the fact that the sofer table has a place to put all your tools (on the top shelf), another advantage is that your arms can rest on the table while keeping your elbows close to your body. With a drafting table, either your elbows are far out — which creates an unnatural writing angle for your hand, or you need to write at the lower edge of the table and your elbows are at a comfortable angle but hanging in the air.
ReplyDeleteI also have a magnetic board on the table which slides freely from side to side and moves up or down in set increments. The klaf is held down to the board with strong magnets and moves with it so my hands stay in the same position and angle all the time.
I tried several times to write on a light-table but it didn’t work for me, although I know several Sofrim who swear by it.
I sit on a Varier Kneeling Chair which made a *huge* difference in my productivity by enabling me to sit and write comfortably for longer periods of time.
This comment is already too long, but I have a second table at standing height that I use for corrections, sorting, and other activities that benefit from a larger work surface. I designed this table myself with several shelves and drawers that are big enough to hold full-sized yeri’os flat for drying or storage. I can post pictures and plans if anyone is interested.
Could you send more pictures of this first table, especially on the sides and bottom.
ReplyDeleteI live in Brazil and would like to ride this table here
Thank you
Ezra Khafif
You can send by mail
ekhafif@chabad.org.br
I might know of a safrus table that is here in america (they ship it to Israel it is similar to the first picture and probably cost 300 it is hard to adjust the height(you could adjust it a little but for big adjustments you should use a chair that goes up and down)it is made entirely out of wood and is smaller than a yanai table PS if you want to really go in to safrus seriously than a safrus table is a good investment(you can write for longer,nicer and with less pain)
ReplyDeletePlease post where the table is available in the U.S.
ReplyDelete