Work bench height recommendations

[snowman51789]

I just finished building my 24x32 garage and I want to build a new work bench, I'm thinking 8' long, 32" deep. Underneath I want to have 2' wide shelves on each side and an open area in the middle.

My issues it's that I can't figure out a good height I will mostly be standing at it but there are times that I will be rebuilding snowmobile/dirt bike motors so I want to be able so sit on a stool at it (that's why I'm leaving the middle area open)

Any suggestions would help. I searched but could not find anybody that had this type of set up and listed height.

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[PWC Repair]

I have found that 40-42 inches works great for me. I am also very tall. Most benchtops sit at 36" give or take.

 

[bad_idea]

Height of bench is contingent on your height. Height of bench is irrelevant when sitting on a stool, it's adjustable. Rule of thumb I go by - about 2" below your elbow. Arms at side, elbows bent 90 degrees to body - should be 2" above bench top. I'm 6'2" and my bench is 40" IIRC. Makes it a bit unwieldy working on something in the vice, but that's what they make step stools for.

 

[mustang68408]

I did mine at 40, I’m 6ft and it’s perfect no back bending and I can rest my fire arms on it comfortably

 

[AMCguy]

I'm 6'2''. I made two benches, both 8' long and 30'' deep. One is 40'' high. I use that one in my fabricating area for mostly flat work. I also have a welding table on that side. It's 36'' high.

My other bench is 36'' high. It's open in the front, so I can sit at it if I want. I use it in the vehicle maintenance half of my shop. 36'' is good for working on things that are slightly above bench height, like small engines, cylinder heads in rotating fixture etc.

Since I'm getting on in age and need reading glasses, my most important consideration is having my work in focus.

 

[rjacobs]

belt buckle height...

 

[lbperry]

x2 on belt buckle height

 

[dogdog]

belt buckle height is about a good advise.... I asked the same question last year or so. Tested my comfortable work height between various tables and kitchen counter tops..... 36" is a good height...
But it all dependents on what you are working on as well. I end up with a 40" height good working height for small stuff and working on computers standing. If you were to assemble tall stuff a lot of times, you might want to lower it.



https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340109
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10489
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=348904

 

[bob15]

What you are asking is a personal preference question. At what height do you like working on stuff?

A good starting point would be your kitchen counter's height? Do you like that height? Base it from there.....add or subtract height from that.

Someone who is 6' 4" will probably have a different preferred height than someone 5'3".

 

[audioworks04]

All of mine have been set at 40”, which also matches the height of my bottom tool box. I like this so that when next to each other it is a smooth transition. As a dude note I might warn against making a bench deeper than 24in as typically the excess depth just become packed full and hard to reach. I made my old bench 36in deep and it was hard to reach anything that far back at bench height.


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[kbs2244]

Go stand at your kitchen sink.
If it is a comfortable height for washing your hand (or the dishes) it will work.

The same idea goes for the depth.
How much stuff gets set back against the wall?
The same thing will happen in your shop.

Think about it.
A kitchen is a shop.

 

[619DioFan]

I am 6'4'' so I built my benches 42'' tall. I never sit at them so no consideration there. also they are only 20'' deep. don't like them any deeper.

 

[timdgsr]

As a dude note I might warn against making a bench deeper than 24in as typically the excess depth just become packed full and hard to reach. I made my old bench 36in deep and it was hard to reach anything that far back at bench height.

I came here to say exactly this.

 

[GRHebard]

this works for me

 

[Hephaestus29]

The above would be rediculously low
for me. I'm 5'6" about 5'8" with work
boots. 33" to 36" is comfortable to me.

You should probably just experiment
with a few general things to find out.

 

[taumac]

this works for me

I agree. Here’s another guide to determine bench height depending on “what” your working on.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I couldn't settle on a certain height, since I use my workbench for several purposes including a table saw outfeed table. If I'm building cabinets or larger projects I like a lower height like 30", my table saw top sits at 39", and for electronics and small stuff I like 42-44" for standing.

I gave up and made an adjustable-height bench using a Harbor Freight scissor jack and some locks for the legs. I also used it for some heavy welding projects like mowing decks, I could put them on low and raise it up to a comfortable height.

 

[txvwnut]

I’m 5’ 11” and my first bench was 44” high and I didn’t care for it. My current bench is 34” high and just right for me.

My opinion on bench height is build what you think is comfortable for you.

 

[taumac]

I couldn't settle on a certain height, since I use my workbench for several purposes including a table saw outfeed table. If I'm building cabinets or larger projects I like a lower height like 30", my table saw top sits at 39", and for electronics and small stuff I like 42-44" for standing.

I gave up and made an adjustable-height bench using a Harbor Freight scissor jack and some locks for the legs. I also used it for some heavy welding projects like mowing decks, I could put them on low and raise it up to a comfortable height.

Got any pictures of this adjustable bench?

 

[uscarry45]

i like stand up arms at my sides and take a measurement to my wrist and build to that height

 

[coljar]

I'm getting ready to build an island work bench in my newer garage and have pondered this same question. If you count the work benches along the wall, the ones in the older garage, and the ones in my basement workshop, there are 6 of them and not one is the same height. I'm thinking around 38" for the island work bench.

Here is the wall work bench in my newer garage. The island work bench will replace the table in the bottom left of the picture and will be 7' x 4'.

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[Moparman390]

Mine is between 40" and 42", I forgot exactly. What I did was sit on a stool and see what height the workbench would be at with comfortable room for my legs, then I measured.

 

[scarrylarry]

I'm getting ready to build an island work bench in my newer garage and have pondered this same question. If you count the work benches along the wall, the ones in the older garage, and the ones in my basement workshop, there are 6 of them and not one is the same height. I'm thinking around 38" for the island work bench.

Here is the wall work bench in my newer garage. The island work bench will replace the table in the bottom left of the picture and will be 7' x 4'.

[/url][/IMG]

Great looking shop 1
scarrylarry

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

Mine are 35" and 38".

 

[Jack Olsen]

I'm 5'11" tall. All of my benches are 37" high, which is handy when you need to span long stock from one to the other. Of the 10 benches in my 2-car garage space, four are set up so I can sit at them. At the one I sit at the most, I cut a little inset into the top of the bench.

 

[gtsgarage]

Mine is 37” and I’m 6’1”. Seems about right to me.

If I used the guide for knuckle height that would be way too low.

 

[BPJOOP93]

My fab table is at 40 or 41”. I am 6’4”. My other bench is at 36” I think. Whatever works best for you.

 

[zmotorsports]

A lot of good recommendations already. In my first shop I built them at 37" based on the arm by your side and back of hand test. They worked ok for the 25 years I worked in that shop. However, they were a bit low or I just have long arms. I agree that it needs to fit you personally vs. what a "standard" height is.

In my new shop I built them for the top of work surface right at 40". I am 6'2" and my son is 6'4" and these are working out perfectly.


As for a welding table, I don't like them as tall because when welding something with some height you end up standing on a step stool or reaching too much. For my welding/fabrication table I like the height at 32" from the floor.

 

[sz0k30]

I am 6"3" and also wanted a bench I could stand or sit at on a stool. Attached is a photo of mine. Its on casters. Its 37" to the top. The top is a solid core door with a white laminate. Notice the cutout in the bottom shelf which makes it very comfortable to pull a stool up to.

 

[stupidjet]

As for a welding table, I don't like them as tall because when welding something with some height you end up standing on a step stool or reaching too much. For my welding/fabrication table I like the height at 32" from the floor.

what kind of table is that or did you make it yourself?

 

[CJM8515]

somewhere between 37-42" depending on your height. Im 6ft tall and all my benches are 40" high.

 

[Skiff Builder]

this works for me

Wood shop.Good gauge of height for that use. I wouldn't want to hand plane/sand/chisel/saw on a much taller surface . You need slightly bent knees and waist when doing that work.

Does anyone have saw horses as high as your mechanics work bench?

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

I couldn't settle on a certain height, since I use my workbench for several purposes including a table saw outfeed table. If I'm building cabinets or larger projects I like a lower height like 30", my table saw top sits at 39", and for electronics and small stuff I like 42-44" for standing.

I gave up and made an adjustable-height bench using a Harbor Freight scissor jack and some locks for the legs. I also used it for some heavy welding projects like mowing decks, I could put them on low and raise it up to a comfortable height.

I would like to see some pictures of your bench.