Building my first workbench...not sure I like it

[Dan Babb]

Getting things all settled in my new shop and wanted to build a bench where I could roll my harbor freight tool chest under it.

The tool chest just fits under it, but I'm thinking it might be just a bit too tall to be a good workbench.

I still have to put in the center set of legs and take the handle off the box. It's very solid...no wobble at all.

I think I've seen a few other guys who took this approach...how do you like it?

Without the top on, the bench is about 44 1/2" tall. If I do a 3/4" top, then I'm at 45 1/4". I didn't want to take the wheels off and put the tool chest on the ground...but I might rethink that.

Plan is for the top to be 8 1/2' wide...naturally, the big box stores don't have anything I can use for a top that's over 8'. I have to wait till Tuesday when a real lumber yard is open to finish it up.

 

[rieferman]

Looking good, but it may be a bit tall for your main bench. To put it in perspective, kitchen counters are 36" tall. You'll be 10" taller than that - depends on what you work on, but that may feel a bit tall to comfortably work at.

 

[NUISANCE]

If you flip the 2x4s on their side that would save 2 inches in height. You could either take the wheels off the tool box or find smaller ones and then cut the legs to length. Either one of those, or both, would reduce the overall height of the bench.

 

[Cyberbear]

45" tall is too tall for comfort, especially if you want to sit down while working. Maybe another style tool box, or a bench with roll-out drawers will work.

 

[1938flatty]

Mines 44" tall and I love it. Not too tall at all. Get a bar stool to sit at and do projects. That's what I do. It is a very comfortable height to lean against to sip a beverages, too.

 

[BMack37]

I don't think that's too tall at all, but it really depends on what you're working on and how tall you are. If you can comfortably reach the back of the bench, you should be fine unless you are working on large items where you're going to have to reach.

A drafting chair(tall office chair) works well with taller benches and it's easier on your back when standing.

What I'd do if I was you, pretend you're working on the things you will be working on...go through the motions, is it comfortable or do you wish it was lower? There's your answer.

 

[Gotcha640]

First, I like a high bench, for stuff I want to look at. I have a saw bench that's 20" high for kneeling and sawing on, some heavy duty saw horses that are 30" high and get 4x4s and 1" ply top for beating things in the yard, and a light weight 40" assembly table (no vise, no hammering, just glue ups).

Second, could you make the bench 50" wide, and the cart roll in next to it at the same height? Or a section that was just for the cart to roll under, no heavy frame?

 

[Ilikeike]

Get the welder out and save 3-4" with metal. Or get smaller casters.
I built my home bench for my comfort,it's 42.5" I'm 6'4" and that's seems to be optimum for me,even while sitting on a bar stool.

 

[Jack Olsen]

When I did it, I took the wheels off and added just enough wood up top to clear the lip. I wanted a 37" bench.

 

[RustyGoat]

I just redid my work bench. The old bench was 40" tall and for a lot of things it was just too tall being 5'8" tall. The new bench is 34.5" tall and I haven't used it yet but I like the height a lot better. If I need to I'll space the wheels with 2x4s on their side to raise it another 1.5".

 

[Carves]

X 2 with this.

I don't think that's too tall at all, but it really depends on what you're working on and how tall you are. If you can comfortably reach the back of the bench, you should be fine unless you are working on large items where you're going to have to reach.

A drafting chair(tall office chair) works well with taller benches and it's easier on your back when standing.

What I'd do if I was you, pretend you're working on the things you will be working on...go through the motions, is it comfortable or do you wish it was lower? There's your answer.

Ive got a high one I use a stool at ... or stand and sort hardware whatever.

Definitely too high for an, only, allrounder bench, tho ... which is why Ive got a coupla different height work surfaces.

 

[ilovevocs]

If you want to lower the working height and maintain the rolling functionality of the tool box you could fav something to bring the wheels outside of the footprint of the box. Lots of aftermarket mobile tool bases like this out their. I have to imagine you could buy one and mod it or make your own.

That said I prefer my tops at 39" and work with a drafting bench. I don't like to be slumped over it hurts my back. I find taller work surfaces to be easier on my back because I don't have to slump over to reach them. Also like to be able to sit and stand and have both options be a comfortable working height. Like someone previously mentioned a bar height stool or drafting stool would suffice.

I do think you'll find the current height a little tall, but I would try it before modifying anything.

 

[Cato]

Well, I think it looks pretty good - strong and square.

Anyway, it's your first bench. Use it as a learning experience. Build your second one more to your likings.

 

[GYPSY400]

I would take the wheels off, you will loose 5" and put you at optimum height. You want to be between 36-40" high for an average height person.


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[rodsnratfinks]

For the purpose of this thread, I just measured my two favorite work surfaces:
The top of my rollaway - 47"
My 7' workbench - 36"

I use my tool box work surface a lot, and I really like it. It's great for use as a standing bench. While 47 is definitely on the side larger projects, I don't think 40 - 44 would be out of line for the height of a general purpose work bench for me. I'm 6'1" and like another poster said, I don't like bending over things. While I do a lot of work standing, when I sit, I prefer sitting on something more like a drafting stool height for when I do sit while working. My 36" bench is too low for my preference, while the countertops in my kitchen are 38", and I could have them several inches before I found it an ideal working height.

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[BMack37]

X 2 with this.




Ive got a high one I use a stool at ... or stand and sort hardware whatever.

Definitely too high for an, only, allrounder bench, tho ... which is why Ive got a coupla different height work surfaces.

That's the thing, you can use a lower bench for all the small stuff like say soldering by using a short stool(but you lose the ability to do it comfortably standing up)...but a taller bench is difficult to work on larger items. Ideally, you have one bench of each height but ideally I'd be a billionaire instead of a tech too. On my bench I work on mostly small items so my work bench is actually a little taller than his will be.