Bench and Microscope Ergonomics for Jewelers with Blaine Lewis

Join Blaine Lewis, the founder of New Approach School for Jewelers (newapproachschool.com), to learn about the importance of good ergonomics when working at a workbench and using a microscope. Watch as he explains how to customize your working height while seated at your workbench using the GRS® BenchMate® adjustable height bracket, the GRS Encore® QC BenchMate, and the GRS Original Slide & Lock system, as well as ergonomically setting up your microscope.
Shop some of the suggested products based on those seen in this video:
GRS® BenchMate® Adjustable Height Bracket ow.ly/9a5150GwPQ1
GRS® BenchMate® Encore® QCX Stone-Setter Kit ow.ly/tBPz50GwPQz
GRS® Slide & Lock Original Bench Tool-Holding System ow.ly/fCNV50GwPRz
GRS® BenchMate® Mounting Adapter ow.ly/w5sp50GwPSj
GRS® Fixed Mounting Plate ow.ly/OLgW50GwPSz
GRS® Alexandre Stone Setter's Package ow.ly/1Rys50GwPTb
Leica® A60 Microscope Kit with Acrobat® Versa Stand ow.ly/AyuX50GwPTz
Leica® Camera Mount for Leica® A60 Microscope ow.ly/9bgH50GwPTY
Rio Grande Jeweler's Workbench ow.ly/Bpa650GHJL0
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[@fragozzo827]

Blaine Lewis is a legend in the jewelry world

[@pbjsilverstudio4882]

This has to be the best information available for proper (think healthy) bench ergonomics. Before I started my full time career in jewelry, I worked for a small office supply company and became our in house ergonomics advisor for our commercial accounts. If someone at a company had some problems working at their station, whether it was a desk or counter, I went in, tape measure in hand, and worked with them in establishing the best heights and distances for THEIR body. Sometimes it was as easy as duct taping some old phone books together and putting them under their feet to take the pressure off the back of their thighs like you mentioned. I also teach jewelry and metal arts at our high school and am always talking to the kids about how to work with better ergonomics explaining that in the real world of jewelry making, proper ergonomics helps a jeweler work a full day at the bench without getting tired the first hour in. Thank you for taking the time to make this very important video. Greatly appreciated!

[@DavidNormoyle]

A great technician, I have watched a number of Blaine’s descriptive videos and they are all first class.

[@RioGrande1944]

We're so glad to hear that, David! Thank you for sharing.

[@elainefeather9465]

Thank you , this is incredibly useful .😊

[@lou196t]

That was so kind of you to share your knowledge. As usual your explanation and visuals are spot on. You're simply one of the best and I thank you Blair.

[@pbjsilverstudio4882]

And now this is helpful once again as I just got this microscope and I had to come back to this video to remind me about how to get the scope in focus. Thanks!!

[@andyvan5692]

great video, interesting that both micro-surgeons, pro welders, and you do the same things, from looking at videos, you all use your hands in that precise and dextrous way, so YEAH, why not look after your most important tools, your hands, eyes and back!!

[@colethynne]

Very informative and professionally done video. Thank you so much for the information. I have my GRS ball vice and Leica a60 on the way in the mail right now. Excited to set up, and start to learn with it the PROPER way. ❤

[@RioGrande1944]

We are so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jimbeckett8246]

I went to his school. I had a great time and learned more than I expected I would in the amount of time.

[@brygidaugustyn2931]

Blaine is my teacher now 🥺👏

[@soona2011]

I come back to this video every time I have to move my bench set up (!) Thank you so much!!

[@RioGrande1944]

We love to hear that!

[@denniss8644]

What a great video. I'm in the process of setting up my bench and this video is immensely helpful.

[@Jezza586]

The best video I didn’t even know I needed to watch! Thank you, so incredibly helpful :)

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you Jasmine, we really appreciate your support!

[@michaelmcglashan6117]

Thank you. Exactly the information I needed.

[@antonioflambo7211]

Great video I bought both your DVDs can you do one on pave and how deep the bright cut should be

[@MuhammadFahad-pw2oo]

I m interested this video

[@annpritchard3933]

Hi Blaine, thank you for your videos they are great and so easy to follow. I have a question, do you think you could advise me o how to set up my microscope, with the fact that I am blind in my right eye. Your help with this would be great and I do appreciate it Ann.

[@CharmingIronybyAalia]

Quite interesting for a jewelry maker like me. Thank you for the video.

[@RioGrande1944]

We're glad you enjoyed! Let us know if you have any questions, we're happy to help in any way we can!

[@CharmingIronybyAalia]

@@RioGrande1944 Thank you soo much for your kind response :)

[@jessiekml]

Thank you for sharing, this has been helpful, as my neck and upper back n shoulders are taking the beating because of my setup. Need to invest in a microscope or I will be spending that money at the doctor's instead.

[@dragonshoarddesign3094]

Hi Blaine, I attended a stone setting course at New Approach. I am wondering about the microscope/camera/screen set up you had going on. How do I set something like that up.

[@shantkevorkian889]

Howdy y'all from Sydney Australia :) I am just updating my meji microscope to Leica A60, any comments?thanks in advance, stay safe

[@andijvie3119]

Hi there, I have some question about the working distance, if you would go with the 0.5x lens plus adapter I would get a working distance of approx 200mm right, that means that anything beyond 200mm will not be in focus and anything between 0-200mm will stay sharp right?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi! The working distance is 200mm - that is how far the center of the objective lens is from your piece and where you can focus in. The focus will deteriorate beyond 200mm and before 200mm. Adjusted correctly, your piece will stay in focus throughout the full zoom capabilities of your microscope; however, if you move the piece closer to the objective lens or further away it will not be in focus. Hope this helps answer your question!

[@andijvie3119]

Rio Grande Did Mr. Lewis use the Leica adapter in this video?

[@gwaaiedenshaw8310]

You’ll have about 199mm-201mm. Roughly. I think it would be 197-203. (I think that was it) if you are using the A60. Which doesn’t seem like much but is 2-3x the depth

[@draganakostic3337]

Koja je cena mikroskopa akrobatik ,dali mozete da posaljete za Srbiju pozdrav

[@urangsunda3244]

Is it ok for our eyes health using this microscope for long time period?

[@urangsunda3244]

because based on my experience. Almost all jewelers who use a microscope to setting the diamonds, majority of them suffer hypermetropia.

[@RAJESH65655]

Pl send me address to purchase best microscope and ring wise that full setting u had shown in your video

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello, these items can all be purchased at riogrande.com, and you can view most of them here with these links: GRS® BenchMate® Adjustable Height Bracket ow.ly/9a5150GwPQ1 GRS® BenchMate® Encore® QCX Stone-Setter Kit ow.ly/tBPz50GwPQz GRS® Slide & Lock Original Bench Tool-Holding System ow.ly/fCNV50GwPRz GRS® BenchMate® Mounting Adapter ow.ly/w5sp50GwPSj GRS® Fixed Mounting Plate ow.ly/OLgW50GwPSz GRS® Alexandre Stone Setter's Package ow.ly/1Rys50GwPTb Leica® A60 Microscope Kit with Acrobat® Versa Stand ow.ly/AyuX50GwPTz Leica® Camera Mount for Leica® A60 Microscope ow.ly/9bgH50GwPTY Rio Grande Jeweler's Workbench ow.ly/Bpa650GHJL0 Please let us know if you need anything else.

[@lou196t]

Sorry, I meant Blaine!

[@pijnto]

Old style bench mate is way way better design than the encore

[@jgrizzle4166]

My main every day struggles are being a left handed jeweler. So few if any options for me out there. Other problems are my current employer just won't spend the money to get any thing that would make our job easier.

[@ruud4508]

I might have a solution for you, rotate your head 180 degrees, assume reversed position on the workbench and, behold, the left handed jeweller has become a right handed one, all without spending a dime. Or, become a freelancer, and feel free to invest in yourself, and keep the fruits of your talent and labour for yourself. I've made that decision 20 years ago, never had any regrets about that.

[@pijnto]

Nothing in this video that can not be used either right or left handed