Thread: Work bench height

Originally Posted by Waldo

G'day,

I found the best working height for me is at waist level, which on my bench is about 1.3m

Tall bloke with short arms.

Seriously 90cm is the way to go.

G'day,

When I was down the shed yesterday I grabbed my tape measure to measure the height of my bench. I said earlier that it was 1.3m, well the correct height is actually 1.03m.

So there ya go.

Waldo,
How tall are you???

G'day Ernknot,

6' 4".

Modern benches that are used predominantly by power tool users are higher than the traditional bench used by handtoolers. When pushing a handplane it is often necessary to press downward. Look at the Stanley rear tote. It is angled at 45 degrees. The LV range of handplanes, especially the bevel up planes, appear to be made with more modern benches in mind. Their totes angle at 80 degrees, which encourages more forward than downward movement.

A few examples. My workbench is moderately high - 35 ½ “ - compared to those of Frank Klausz at 33” (since Frank is 6’0” tall, this bench is clearly very low) and Ian Kirby at 34” (he is 5’9”, about an inch shorter than myself). (information available from The Workbench Book by Scott Landis). It was built many years ago and before I thought to dedicate it to handtool use.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Elbow height works fine here Im 5ft 5and a bit and if the things taller than my elbows its a pain and uncomfortable if shorter its a pain in the back... hence most of the tools Ive bought ie: router table will be either raised or a new stand made for them to lift them to the height that best suits me without aches or pains

I make benches for a living and the standard height is 900mm . I took this height from a kitchen bench . I'm 6'3" and my first bench was 750mm , standard table height . When i made a few to sell , most people were commenting that they were too low . I now have mine at 900mm with a couple others at 750mm. I have made a few at 1000mm for people around 6'6" mark , but i think they were too high for general use .

I've noticed that "old school" benches seem to have gone out of fashion... the old type with the "channel" running down the middle. For a few years I've been toying with the idea of building one, but due to the nature of my work it has been very low on the priority list. Machinery has the floorspace priority. [shrug]

Is there any particular reason for 'em to have become less popular?

I'm also toying with the idea of making it split level, or rather, having one end adjustable so I can raise it (from 900 to about 1200mm height) as a fiddlework table or a full-width dog. Apart from the mechanics of the lift, can anyone see any potential problems with this?

Originally Posted by Waldo

G'day,

When I was down the shed yesterday I grabbed my tape measure to measure the height of my bench. I said earlier that it was 1.3m, well the correct height is actually 1.03m.

So there ya go.

Waldo, measure twice tell once.

G'day Wongo,

Yeah I probably should have. I was going by memory, I had the numbers in there just the wrong order - must be the grey hairs or something else I don't know - I can't remember.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I've noticed that "old school" benches seem to have gone out of fashion... the old type with the "channel" running down the middle. For a few years I've been toying with the idea of building one, but due to the nature of my work it has been very low on the priority list. Machinery has the floorspace priority. [shrug]

Is there any particular reason for 'em to have become less popular?

I'm also toying with the idea of making it split level, or rather, having one end adjustable so I can raise it (from 900 to about 1200mm height) as a fiddlework table or a full-width dog. Apart from the mechanics of the lift, can anyone see any potential problems with this?

The old english workbench with the tool well in the centre has possibly lost popularity as the bulk of todays woodies have never experienced the advantage of a tool well.

Most of the modern woodies also tend to go for a bench height better suited to metalwork. This is an advantage using a router but a disadvantage with a handplane and hand morticing. My next bench will have a well in the centre. Might do like you and make it height adjustable though.

What did you have in mind for height adjustment?

I have set up my benches to my hip joint height. Low enough to get some weight on the heavy jobs but high enough to plane and do the finer work without bending down too much. Its a compromise.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Waldo

G'day,

I found the best working height for me is at waist level, which on my bench is about 1.3m

Waldo - you big bugger you. How tall are you? :confused: a waste level of 1.3 metres, which equates to 4'3" in the old money :eek: - you must be 8' plus tall.

I'm 6'1" and my waist hangs down to 3'1" or 0.94 metres, that might just have something to do with the size of my, shall we say generously proportioned stomach.

I've found the best working height to be around 18" and prostrate for at least 8 hours.

Regards
Brenton

I have added some timber to the bottom of the bench and it is now 900 seems better than the 810 it was. Have also removed one of the vices and installed a record 52 or 53 1/2 on the end. Will have to test it out and modify as i go. When my skills are good enough I will build my own bench in a traditional style.

Andrew