stevengarage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2017
- Messages
- 51
What height does most of you build your workbench? I built mine 38 inches in height.
Workbench height
- Thread starter stevengarage
- Start date
depends on the height of what you usually work on , your body height, etc.
mine is 36"
mine is 36"
619DioFan
Well-known member
Depends on how tall you are. I am 6'4'' so my benches are 42 inches tall which works well for me.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
I'm about 6' tall and mine are 38"high. It's a comfortable height for me. Really, it's whatever works for you. And your chosen activites.
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm 6'2. Standard bench height is 36-38" which works fine for me. You don't want it so high that your arms are bent a lot. And at that height, you can pull a stool up to it and sit and be comfortable if you wish.
But as others have said, it's whatever works for YOU. That's what's important.
As one of my transmission associates said many years ago, regarding certain assembly procedures: "If you think that rubbing some cow **** on the radiator cap makes it work better and you've had good luck with it in the past, then by all means, rub cow **** on every radiator cap!"
But as others have said, it's whatever works for YOU. That's what's important.
As one of my transmission associates said many years ago, regarding certain assembly procedures: "If you think that rubbing some cow **** on the radiator cap makes it work better and you've had good luck with it in the past, then by all means, rub cow **** on every radiator cap!"
astroracer
Well-known member
Measure from the bottom of your bent elbow to the floor. That is the recommended height for your workbench.
Mark
Mark
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Be flexible... make it adjustable and on wheels.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
coljar
Well-known member
At 5'9" I'm short, so 36" to 38" feels right to me. With that said, one section of my wall bench is 41", which is used for very light work and the computer I am presently typing from. I can stand up comfortably or sit down.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
You know there are ergonomic engineers that do this stuff and have it down to a science. Every one here has parts right but no one asked what jobs you do.
If you are working on heavy and large objects or putting lots of power into the work(woodworking with hand tools, knuckle(or *******) height is correct. Historically this was the rule of thumb, long before garages and mechanic benches existed. This rule of thumb goes back to the 1500's in books about woodworking and the height that a blacksmiths anvil should be place.
As the need for dexterity goes up and the physical force goes down the bench should be higher. Elbow height is good for most automotive maintenance task.
If you are a watch maker or hobbiest in rc cars/airplanes you want it higher so when elbows are on the bench your hands are right in front of your eyes.
Humans can't do strenuous activities at eye level nor task that require extreme dexterity at waist level.
"Rule of thumb". In medieval Britain it may have been legal to beat your wife with a stick, but it had to be smaller than your thumb.
If you are working on heavy and large objects or putting lots of power into the work(woodworking with hand tools, knuckle(or *******) height is correct. Historically this was the rule of thumb, long before garages and mechanic benches existed. This rule of thumb goes back to the 1500's in books about woodworking and the height that a blacksmiths anvil should be place.
As the need for dexterity goes up and the physical force goes down the bench should be higher. Elbow height is good for most automotive maintenance task.
If you are a watch maker or hobbiest in rc cars/airplanes you want it higher so when elbows are on the bench your hands are right in front of your eyes.
Humans can't do strenuous activities at eye level nor task that require extreme dexterity at waist level.
"Rule of thumb". In medieval Britain it may have been legal to beat your wife with a stick, but it had to be smaller than your thumb.
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My benches are 40" tall. If I try to work at a lower bench or even something shorter like, for example, a "lifetime" plastic table, it kills my upper back.
bwringer
Well-known member
When we moved into our house, we found that some previous occupant had built a crude workbench at 41-1/2" high. I kept it and beefed it up because I'm 6'1" and I found that this height is pretty much perfect for me.
I've noticed that my vertically challenged friends do struggle with it a bit, and they can't reach the drawers and shelves against the wall. Oh well... I have a little wooden box nearby they can stand on if needed.
Our kitchen counters are the standard 36". Since I pretty much do all the cooking as well, any meal requiring much prep requires holding an awkward half-hunch that leads to a guaranteed backache after a while. And the stooping required to do dishes makes it even worse.
I've noticed that my vertically challenged friends do struggle with it a bit, and they can't reach the drawers and shelves against the wall. Oh well... I have a little wooden box nearby they can stand on if needed.
Our kitchen counters are the standard 36". Since I pretty much do all the cooking as well, any meal requiring much prep requires holding an awkward half-hunch that leads to a guaranteed backache after a while. And the stooping required to do dishes makes it even worse.
FGeneral rule
Within an inch of correct.
For fine work like removing screws and assembly:
Arms to your side, bend your elbow 90 degrees, put bench just under your elbow.
My chair is adjusted so sitting and standing are the same.
For wailing on things and applying leverage like on a dicked up screw :
Hands to your side.
Table height is at the break of your wrist where a hammer blow would feel correct.
Try this.
Within an inch of correct.
For fine work like removing screws and assembly:
Arms to your side, bend your elbow 90 degrees, put bench just under your elbow.
My chair is adjusted so sitting and standing are the same.
For wailing on things and applying leverage like on a dicked up screw :
Hands to your side.
Table height is at the break of your wrist where a hammer blow would feel correct.
Try this.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I will add a reason for flexible/adjustable... I often SIT while working on something "small" or if I'm gluing something tiny... I sit at a wooden desk in my garage for that.
All my wood working benches are 1 inch lower than my table saw... my miter saw is on a table that is a bit lower putting the miter table at the same height as the table saw.
Actual bench work... yea... I would want it taller... but I'm a short **** so ... I end up using the off table to my table saw...
In a perfect world for you tall folk... adjustable... to fit what you are doing.
I stick by my opinion...
All my wood working benches are 1 inch lower than my table saw... my miter saw is on a table that is a bit lower putting the miter table at the same height as the table saw.
Actual bench work... yea... I would want it taller... but I'm a short **** so ... I end up using the off table to my table saw...
In a perfect world for you tall folk... adjustable... to fit what you are doing.
I stick by my opinion...
James-W
Well-known member
In an ideal world an adjustable workbench would be great. But in the real world I doubt many people will have one.
John Timmins
Well-known member
Think about depth as well as height. My friend designed his "L" shape work bench to be 38 high underneath and 42 deep. He would lower the blade on his table saw and slide it under. Next to it was his Foley-Bellsaw thickness planer. It was great sliding that stuff out of the way. A small refrigerator fit under the end with a great storage area in the corner.
About the depth of the countertop......about a foot from the wall, a new 2x4 "wall" was built on the workbench top with cabinets quilt to it. Wood was stored behind it. I'll find some pictures.
the workbench height was about 40. If that's too high work on some kind of box especially if is a cold winter basement concrete floor.
About the depth of the countertop......about a foot from the wall, a new 2x4 "wall" was built on the workbench top with cabinets quilt to it. Wood was stored behind it. I'll find some pictures.
the workbench height was about 40. If that's too high work on some kind of box especially if is a cold winter basement concrete floor.
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Try spreading your feet far apart for some relief while at the counter. It makes a difference.When we moved into our house, we found that some previous occupant had built a crude workbench at 41-1/2" high. I kept it and beefed it up because I'm 6'1" and I found that this height is pretty much perfect for me.
I've noticed that my vertically challenged friends do struggle with it a bit, and they can't reach the drawers and shelves against the wall. Oh well... I have a little wooden box nearby they can stand on if needed.
Our kitchen counters are the standard 36". Since I pretty much do all the cooking as well, any meal requiring much prep requires holding an awkward half-hunch that leads to a guaranteed backache after a while. And the stooping required to do dishes makes it even worse.
theamcguy
Well-known member
Great info, Thank you for posting
That's wierd. I'm just short of 6', but my ********* is right at 36" and I have somewhat shorter legs. I can't imagine being 6'4" and being at 30" desk height...
In any case, a really tall bench becomes problematic if you mount a large vise on it. The working height at the vise may become tall to comfortably drill/saw. My newest bench is at 38" which limited me to my smallest vise (while my big vises sat unused on a shelf).
dadsEH
Well-known member
Belly button height works fer me....
your mileage may vary.
your mileage may vary.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Git's chart is a good tip. Depending on what you work on you might want a certain height, especially large / heavy things you want a shorter table.
Generally somewhere around 36"-38" is what most are, depending on your height and what you work on.
Another factor, is if you are going to put anything UNDER the bench. I had to squeeze an air compressor under one of mine so that determined the minimum height.
Generally somewhere around 36"-38" is what most are, depending on your height and what you work on.
Another factor, is if you are going to put anything UNDER the bench. I had to squeeze an air compressor under one of mine so that determined the minimum height.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
My bench is just under 38". And while it would be nice to have secondary benches on wheels, I only have room for one, and it has to be solidly mounted to the floor and wall. No moving around when I'm beating on something.
coljar
Well-known member
The upper level on the right is 41" and the lower level to the left is 37". The new island workbench that I plan to build will be right around 38".
ilovevocs
Well-known member
I prefer mine at 39". I'm about 5'11".
It's a good height for me when standing and a bar stool or drafting bench allows me to sit and work comfortably as well.
I also find the height to be optimal for leaning against while drinking a cocktail. A feature that I find extremely attractive after work.
It's a good height for me when standing and a bar stool or drafting bench allows me to sit and work comfortably as well.
I also find the height to be optimal for leaning against while drinking a cocktail. A feature that I find extremely attractive after work.
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Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What, is he 7'6"?
FullRaceMerc
Well-known member
I was taught in a wood shop that standing with your arm straight down your palm should lay flat on the top. It's a good height for applying force to your work. Planing & hand saw type work. I'm 5'10" & that works out to about 34" for me. I also like that height for building & working on larger pieces. Transmissions.
For small fine work I like it closer to my face, whether sitting at a lower bench or standing at a taller one. The bent elbow rule described earlier seems about right for fine work.
For small fine work I like it closer to my face, whether sitting at a lower bench or standing at a taller one. The bent elbow rule described earlier seems about right for fine work.
rmmiller
Well-known member
A frequent pose for me when I was in parts and working on a big quote or project. It can make standing at a counter much more comfortable.