Workbench build height.......

[galwaytt]

...just a thought - I have a couple of benches that I use for engine repair generally, like in my current project/nightmare.....but I digress.....

I'm not happy with the bench height though - it's too high. I remember years ago that rule of thumb was, that the top of the fitted vice should be the same height as from your elbow to the floor - something about keeping filing and sawing straight...........which is what they're currently at........but right now, that's not working........

...anyhoo - what to you set it at, or what's your guide ?

 

[AMCguy]

Here you can see my two benches. The one on the left is 36''. I use it for doing most of my automotive work. I have carburetor stands and cylinder head stands though to bring things in to the range of my reading glasses.

The one one on the right, I use for metalwork and fabrication. Its 40'' tall. The tool rest on my pedestal grinder is 40''. Most of the things I build myself are taller than normal. My engine stand is too tall for any of my friends to want to borrow.

I'm 6'2'' and like to keep things closer to my eyes. I hate cooking, mostly because of our 36'' counter tops.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I'm 5'11" and all of my benches are at 37".

 

[jon1996]

I am 6'1 and all my work benches at home and the ones I build at work are 40" tall I do not like to bend over to work, plus when I tig it helps not having to lean over more than a couple inches

 

[thirdmouse]

I'm also 6'1" and like mine between 38" and 40". It's nice not having to lean over to work.

 

[kbs2244]

Can you rent or borrow one of those hydraulic adjustable work tables?
They are about 24 x 28 inches and are adjustable for height.
After you use it for a while you should find a comfortable height.

 

[35mastr]

I am 5'10" and I like them right at 29" high. I like to sit when I Tig and dont like having my arms raised up at the table.

 

[metal1313]

really 29??? did you mean 39? cause thats really low. unless you like to sit on the floor

 

[35mastr]

really 29??? did you mean 39? cause thats really low. unless you like to sit on the floor

Nope 29" Bar stool height. I also use it as a frame jig. Also use it with the body on the frame. I dont like them high then I need to use ladders.

 

[35mastr]

I actually just ran out and checked it. I was giving the leg height. Its actually 33 inches tall to the table work surface. 2x3 sqaure tubing fr the table frame and 6 3x3 square tubing for the legs with 1" bolts in the center of the leg bottoms for leveling. 4x8 sheet of 1/4 plate.

 

[rustbucket49]

I'm between 5'2" and 6'10" tall depending on which convenience store I am in and my benches are 37".... Works good for most of the stuff I do -

 

[porschedude996TT]

I'm 5' 10" and have a work bench top surface height of 40-1/2" to 42". This is do to the pitch of the shop floor. Works for me... All my bench stools are bar height.

When I redesign my kitchen I'm going to raise them as high as my wife can stand them. Saves my back in both cases.

 

[nate379]

I think 36" is a good height. I had mine closer to 40" and I found myself always using a milk crate when I had stuff in the vice, so I cut the legs down.

 

[oldwino]

due to limited area for storage I set my bench at 42" so as to store stuff (compressor, welder, etc) under it. It's a little un-comfortable for some things, but guess I'm used to it now so not much of an issue. I'm 6' and in a perfect world (3000sf shop) I would probably set up bench at 36"

 

[minitruck_freq]

i'm 5'10". my benches are 38"-40". i like to sit when welding also, so my welding table will be 30".

 

[babzog]

I'm 5'11.5". Benches are set at hip height, or around 38" for me.

 

[metal1313]

im right around 6'3'' and my new bench is around 40'' high. if i had room for another i might make it lower, but i mostly work on little things so the height is perfect for me. my vise will be mounted to a hitch under the frame of the bench so it will be around 35'' to the hitch

 

[Kevin54]

A person really should have a couple heights depending on the work done. Mine is at 36" which is **** cheek high. I can lean on the bench and it hits the cheeks. It's also not to the height where I can't lift something heavy to put on the top of it. But as a good rule compare your kitchen counter and your bathroom vanity. A bathroom vanity is usually lower and almost too low for any work. A kitchen counter is 36" and basically is the norm.
When the wife is not home, take your vise into the house, set it on the counter and see if it is adequate.