work bench height

[hetkind]

I am trying to remember the traditional workbench height, and I think it is around 30" to 36". Does anyone recall off-hand?

The old guideline was to have your vise so your forearm is level and you elbow 90 degrees while filing

Howard

 

[ddawg16]

The standard height for a kitchen counter is 36".

In most cases a work bench is going to be the same.

But what works for you will depend on how tall you are.....if you're 5'....36" might be high...if you're 6'6"...40" might be better.

 

[Brad54]

DD beat me to it.

I have a work bench that's table height, and a dedicated vise table that has the work area of the vise at bent-elbow height.

-Brad

 

[His200HerScout]

Just my 2 cents...

I am 6'2" and I've noticed that if I stand at a workbench or table that is 36" or so, my lower back starts to hurt after a while because I hunch over a little. My workbench is 42" and I can stand straight up in front of it for hours. I got the idea from a family member who owns a banquet facility and they raised all of their commercial kitchen countertops 6" for ergonomic reasons.

 

[e-tek]

+1 here. I sarted building my benches taller and my back has never been happier!

 

[krehmkej]

Same here. I am 6'1" and have mine at 42".

 

[FunfDreisig]

I am trying to remember the traditional workbench height, and I think it is around 30" to 36". Does anyone recall off-hand?...

I'm just under 6' and prefer workbenches in the 38-40" range BUT...

It really makes difference WHAT I am doing at the work bench. So I prefer to have several work benches/tables at different heights. But if I had to choose one height, I'd go tall. I can always get myself higher with an adjustable stool, etc . But bending over is a pain in the...

Funf Dreisig

 

[porschedude996TT]

I am having cabinets built for my new shop build this week at 40" and I am 5'10". I wanted to go 42" at first, but that was a little high. When I remodel the Kitchen in the house, I plan to go to at least 36". It is a compromise for my 5'1" wife.

 

[TheShrine]

Mine are 42"....I'm 6'-4"

 

[hetkind]

wow....that's for all the good replys. Since I am 5'8" and so is the wife, I think 36" might be ideal. As far as ergonomics go, I do agree that ideal height is task dependent...I know woodworkers who set their tables at table saw height and such.

The dirt work contractor should start in a few weeks, once the rain stops and the soils dries from mud. Been cutting down trees and clearing land by hand (OK with a chainsaw) for months. A 34x70 two level pole barn structure is in the works.

Howard

Our stable includes:

62 Dodge M-37 Military Power Wagon
62 Dodge D-100 Town Wagon
68 Dodge D-100 Utiline Pickup
83 BMW R80ST
87 BMW R80RT
97 BMW F650 Funduro
2004 BMW R1150R Rockster
2005 BMW K1200R
2007 Dodge Ram 1500
2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

 

[south pier garage]

floor to elbow minus 4"

 

[Mattlt]

I heard once that they should be at the height of your "Man Tool."

 

[TheShrine]

wow....that's for all the good replys. Since I am 5'8" and so is the wife, I think 36" might be ideal. As far as ergonomics go, I do agree that ideal height is task dependent...I know woodworkers who set their tables at table saw height and such.

The dirt work contractor should start in a few weeks, once the rain stops and the soils dries from mud. Been cutting down trees and clearing land by hand (OK with a chainsaw) for months. A 34x70 two level pole barn structure is in the works.

Howard

Our stable includes:

62 Dodge M-37 Military Power Wagon
62 Dodge D-100 Town Wagon
68 Dodge D-100 Utiline Pickup
83 BMW R80ST
87 BMW R80RT
97 BMW F650 Funduro
2004 BMW R1150R Rockster
2005 BMW K1200R
2007 Dodge Ram 1500
2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Howard,
All of the toys are nice but I'd like to see your Power Wagon...got any pics?

 

[Palmetto]

I'm 5-8, and I built my workbench & fab table to 36". My FIL built his to 40", and it's too high for me.

 

[91FE]

For me, the traditional height is out the window. I'm 6'-3" and my main bench is 42". When I re-did our master bath... I put the vanity at 36". The 30" height our ancestors used just doesn't work anymore. I feel like an ogre washing my hands in the hall bath sink.

In the end, you need to put your bench at whatever height works for you.

 

[Y2K_Chief]

I built mine the same height as my table saw so I could use it to catch my work. It's also a great working height that way. I also put both the work bench and the table saw on casters for easy movement.

 

[Crusty Nut]

A couple inches below your belly button is ideal. I just measured mine and it is 41" and I'm 6 ft tall.

 

[nate379]

Right around 38". Figure if you have stuff in the vice and everything it makes it tall.

I had one bench taller and it got old having to stand on a milk crate to do something in the vice

 

[-B-]

I am 6'2" and like 40-43" counter/ work bench height i have spent too many years in kitchens and shops that has killed my lower back.

 

[77fixer]

I heard once that they should be at the height of your "Man Tool."

Which end? There could be a significant difference for some. Not that I have that problem.

 

[FunfDreisig]

This may be very obvious to everyone, but just in case...
the "height" of a work bench should be measured betwwen the top of the workbench surface and the top of whatever you are standing on, which may be different than what the work bench is sitting on. That 1/2" thick anti-fatigue pad may make your feet/legs feel better but make your lower back feel worse.

Funf Dreisig

 

[v8garage]

I'm 5-8, and I built my workbench & fab table to 36". My FIL built his to 40", and it's too high for me.

I am 5'8" too but it looks like we are outnumbered by giants here!

 

[redneckprofessor]

I can't remember the height I built mine at, but I do remember not wanting the back-aches I got from ones that were too small, so when I built them, I built them tall and knocked it down to what I wanted.

Funny part was my wife coming in the basement, coming up to the bench that was so high that it covered the bottom part of her face, and asking "why is it so high???"

Come to think of it, she hasn't let me build her anything since then except for the deck, which, of course, is pretty tall.

 

[Tom2]

About 5'11 and built mine to 36".
Perfect size for me.

I measured my kitchen counters, because I liked that working height - and it was 36".

If anything, Id go slightly lower by maybe an inch.. I hate counters that are too high.

 

[rickairmedic]

I am 5'9" and my counters in the garage are right at 37 &1/2" and yes I do have 1/2" mats in front of my benches and cabinets .

Rick