Sitting and standing at the same bench

[Jack Olsen]

I'm hoping some of you guys out there have pictures that would help me on this. I've seen benches where there is a lower section that is desk height (~30") and an area on either side that steps up to counter/bench height (~36"-40"). Or at least I think I've seen them.

I've got an idea in the back of my head about putting together some kind of bench that works for sitting and also for standing. I know you can put a stool up to any standard-height bench and it will work. But I'm trying to think of setups where there's been some specific thought to how you'd be able to reach stuff without getting up or rolling the chair. It would also be nice to have a task light and a magnifying light handy.

I took a quick look through some of the 'show us your workbench' threads. But I haven't found an example of what I've got in my head.

Any pictures? Links?

 

[trbomax]

How about building the bench at 36-40 and haveing another bench top under it that would slide out,like a computer table.

 

[gorilla]

Check out industrial ergonomic lift tables, they should do what you want. We used a ton of them where I use to work for just that sort of thing. they make a really nice table for TIG welding.

 

[onewaydave]

I am going through this idea design at the moment, also. I just picked up 2 cabinets that will stand 38" off the floor with the top installed. I thought about making a lower middle section, closer to 32" for a more standard work height (I'm not that tall). I have since talked myself out of this as I think having as much flat surface area as possible would be more beneficial than having the stool lower to the ground. So, I elected to adjust the stool height to the bench surface.

Sorry. No pics at this time.

Dave.

 

[Warrenator]

The lab I used to work in had lower desk height areas of bench for desk work and then work bench areas, all matching cabinetry, for bench work. The desk areas tended to not get used, they are sort of out of the way so they get piled with papers and the writing and paperwork tends to get done at the bench instead.

The most convenient arrangement, I found, is to have a knee cutout area, about 2 1/2 to 3 feet wide, so you can sit in a rolling lab chair right up against the bench, with drawers on either side so you can access all required tools for the job at hand without getting up. Lab chairs are about the same height as a barstool.

 

[Alan Douglas]

I usually put a box or equipment cabinet on top of the bench and do close-up work on that. But the bench is already at standing height.

 

[mpire]

Of all people, I would think Jack would be able to work out some hydraulics or a mechanical system to raise and lower the same bench top.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks guys. I guess what I'm looking for are some examples of good sitting areas for focused work. A place with a lot of light focused on what you're doing, with good access to the tools you'd be using. I'm honestly not sure there would be a way to incorporate it into my garage, but it's something I'm thinking about.

This is NOT what I had in mind. But it's the picture that -- for whatever reason -- got me thinking about this.

 

[Brad54]

I made my bench 36 inches tall, and took into account my shop stools as well as a working height while standing. I've got two benches in my shop--one is a repurposed mail room sorting desk from Pitney-Bowes, the other is a bench/table I just built. The desk has sliding doors on the front, so there's no place for a chair and your knees. I'm thinking that needs to change shortly.

Unless you've got two-in-one, with something like an "addition" added to the side, I don't know what another solution would be. At least one that wouldn't divide the bench down the middle (the long way) so you can work at one side, and sit at the other. It'd be like a kitchen island--you'd need access to both sides.

-Brad

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jeweler's and Watchmaker's benches have some interesting features.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Jack, you don't want anything like that, it looks cobbled together.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I usually sit where the drill is at and work to the left of the TV. Luckily, I have plenty of workbench space and it's well lit. I have considered getting one of these just to have as needed.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/daylight-magnifier-convertible-lamp-319640/

hmmm. They have a 40% coupon that I can print off.

 

[onewaydave]

Ok, now focus the search criteria on us will ya?

A friend is a jeweler and sits to work. But there are reasons. He is usually wearing loops or using a microscope with the object held in a vise and they are working at 4-10x power. Their work benches are usually raised to a height that while sitting the work is at eye level. Not something anyone but a young ophthalomologist would want to do standing.

When I do meticulous work in what I call micro detail; violin bows, violins or split cane fly rods, I almost always end up standing even if I started sitting. I don't like sitting and my work is not as motion sensitive as the jewelers. I tend to move around to relieve aches and to get better purchase on whatever I'm doing. I hate it when I'm so engrosed on the work, I sit back on thin air.

When in school, there were labs that had lower desks (26-28") and standard height lab benches (36-38") for microscopes. I never noticed any difference, except that if you choose to sit at the higher desk, put some thought into the design of the chair/stool.

Again, for me, having large flat work surfaces is more beneficial than having a desk top at a certain height. I can always get the chair up to whatever height is needed.

Dave, wondering where he would put his tools if he didn't have lots of large flat work surfaces.

 

[GarageEnvy]

Jack, I don't have any photos for you but in a prior office setting I had the typical L-shaped cubicle with a dropped section by the computer. Eventually that morphed into a C-shaped setting and then a full circle. I basically sat in the center of the circle and could turn the chair and reach all sides without having to roll it anywhere. The round top on the inside and outside worked great. What didn't work so great was the flip up section to get in and out. That was a dumb idea but the whole circle configuration with cabinets and counterspace all the way around was great. Somewhere along the line I thought it would be cool to sit at my grandfather's desk. It's a great piece of family history but ergonomically I wish I hadn't scrapped the old circle setup. Honestly, I have no idea how you'd fit that into your garage though.

This picture is about as close to half of what I had. Mine did not have anything above the desk level but that might provide a spot for your task lighting.

 

[Yotaforce]

I like my work bench height stool (swivel on wheels) because it's easier to stand up and sit down numerous times while working on something and having to go get tools/parts around the shop. If I had an "office chair", I'd just nap more in the shop, and that's what my recliner inside is for. lol

 

[Mike K.]

Look for a drafting table & just replace the top. My wife & I use them at home for desks. Very sturdy metal frames & large tops (44 x 72). Ours have at least 8" of travel & will also tilt.

Mike K.