Work Bench Height - new question

[Zeppe807]

So I recently bought my first house and would like to build a work bench down one side. It will range from a metal topped HD bench, then smoothly transition into a tempered Masonite topped bench. I want to have my newly acquired cabinet, and my old tool boxes, along with some other items built in.

**My Question: I am 6'1" and prefer a 42" tall bench, and that is what I am planning on building, BUT my floor slopes bad. Over 18 feet, I have about 3" of fall. So Should I build my bench starting at 39" and at the end it will be 42", or should I build it all 42" and let it slope? (fyi: I hate the idea of my bench not level)

I am trying to piece everything together, then plan on demolishing the existing, and re-building the benches, one wall at a time. There is a lot I need to do.


Thanks for the input.

Joe Zeppe

 

[wolflrv]

Is there any way to level the floor first?? Maybe at least under where your bench will be?

Or use the 45 degree braces and mount to wall, as some have done here. Or at the very least shim or cut the legs to proper length as you go down the wall to keep it level. A sloping bench will have every nut, bolt and screw rolling down the bench. I'd stay level somehow.

 

[Zeppe807]

There are several factors you might consider. Will there be a vise on the bench? At what height are you comfortable with the vise? Even left or right handedness may play in. You could split the difference and make 42" in the center. Never slope your bench.

That is what I am thinking; splitting the difference. But will it be visibly noticeable?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[RobSmith]

Google "correct bench height"....The height of your elbow gets a lot of mention.....that's what I have.

 

[Jason641]

I would keep it level, and make the highest point 42". You will probably find that there is sometimes a need for a shorter bench. I am 6' tall and have a few benches in my shop, most are 34" or 36" high, and one is around 40". The taller bench is ok for working on small items and parts. But, I use the shorter ones 99% of the time because I can easily reach all the way to the back of the bench, and if I have something large to work on it doesn't end up being over my head or out of reach. If you have to use a miter saw, a vise, or other tools that stick up a few inches from the bench it starts to get pretty high.

 

[Kevin54]

Make it 42" in the middle. Then it will only vary by 1 1/2" at each end, low to high.

 

[NUTTSGT]

No way I would want a sloped work bench. Maybe a slight taper to the back to keep stuff from rolling foward and off the benchtop if anything.

If you have a 3" difference, I might consider making it in two sections, at different heights. I know you want it all the same but 18' of bench space, I think that could be easily split in half.

 

[Falcon67]

I would mount a level ledger board on the wall for the bench with it 41" in the middle. Secure the bench top to that, then cut legs as needed. I think you'll deal with a 1/2" high and 2" low better than anything a little high.

 

[dittle fart around]

Level is better. You probably don't want material rolling away from you. Plus it makes metal fab easier, use your magnetic level for 90 degree connections. I follow Falcon's level ledger board and fitted leg idea.

 

[GarageEnvy]

I have a similar situation and I've actually found it nice to have some areas that are a little lower. I built my welding table at 42" because of the elbow height rule and it's a bit too tall. Wacking about 4" off is on my "to do" list. I'm only 5'10" though so YMMV.

 

[lowbucktruck]

I would keep it level, and make the highest point 42". You will probably find that there is sometimes a need for a shorter bench. I am 6' tall and have a few benches in my shop, most are 34" or 36" high, and one is around 40". The taller bench is ok for working on small items and parts. But, I use the shorter ones 99% of the time because I can easily reach all the way to the back of the bench, and if I have something large to work on it doesn't end up being over my head or out of reach. If you have to use a miter saw, a vise, or other tools that stick up a few inches from the bench it starts to get pretty high.

Jason641 makes a very good point here... how do you intend to use this workbench? You may want to divide it into two benches, perhaps with a miter saw station or drill press station in the middle, for example. That might make it a bit easier to level out the workbench tops. With 18 feet, you have quite a bit of real estate to work with.

I built my long bench (7 feet) around two metal office cabinets, and my garage/home are on a concrete slab with a bit of a slope, so leveling everything was important to me. I used metal legs and spent alot of time adjusting to get it all level. My workbench height is 43 inches tall, and I'm 6 foot even, so I can stand at the bench comfortably. Depth of the top (a solid core door ripped down to size) is only 22 inches, so I can reach the back of the bench without difficulty. You may want to consider the depth or width of your bench top while planning the workbench layout.

 

[larry_g]

Are you like 90% of the people that usually has every flat surface covered with ****? If so be honest with yourself and figure out how you will use the bench and which end or middle you will use the most for working on and what part of the bench will be covered with stuff. Set your work area at 42" and let the rest run off level from that point.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Zeppe807]

I built my last garage at the rental house I was last at. I had different height benches throughout the garage.

I definitely want to have level benches, and the one that I seemed to clutter the most was my desk that I built to have a light table in.

As a reference the tool box is 41" high.

The top of the lathe and metal bench is 36"

I miss my old garage, and neighborhood.

But now I own.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Kevin54]

So I recently bought my first house and would like to build a work bench down one side. It will range from a metal topped HD bench, then smoothly transition into a tempered Masonite topped bench. I want to have my newly acquired cabinet, and my old tool boxes, along with some other items built in.

**My Question: I am 6'1" and prefer a 42" tall bench, and that is what I am planning on building, BUT my floor slopes bad. Over 18 feet, I have about 3" of fall. So Should I build my bench starting at 39" and at the end it will be 42", or should I build it all 42" and let it slope? (fyi: I hate the idea of my bench not level)

I am trying to piece everything together, then plan on demolishing the existing, and re-building the benches, one wall at a time. There is a lot I need to do.


Thanks for the input.

Joe Zeppe

I built my last garage at the rental house I was last at. I had different height benches throughout the garage.

I definitely want to have level benches, and the one that I seemed to clutter the most was my desk that I built to have a light table in.

As a reference the tool box is 41" high.

If your toolbox is 41" tall, then by all means you want your bench at 42" minimum to the bottom of the bench. I would make it 42" at the low point and let it be 45" at the high point. Your 3" difference between the bench and floor will not be noticed. And most definitely you want the bench level, so you don't want to go with the floor slope. With 42" at the lowest point you know that you can put your toolbox any place under the bench with no problems.

 

[Mike_C]

I built 2 work benches in my garage. One is a stand alone steel frame work bench, 11' long. I don't even notice the grade of the garage with it. The other is about 18' long, built into the wall with shelving underneath. I built it off the wall, made it level. I had to cut every leg a different length as I went.

sorry for the mess in this picture, I was still painting and moving things around. You can also see in the middle I have a dropped section for my sliding miter saw.