Thread: What method have you used to find the correct workbench height for you?

I like to work at a higher height. My bench is at elbow height, which is about 1030mm from the floor. It doesn't suit many people, but a bench should be suited to yourself and what you find a good working height.

My assembly bench is lower, but as it's name implies it's for a different use so this has to be taken into consideration.

Elbow height (or slightly below) seems to be a common choice for workbench height as it allows the weight of the upper body to provide plenty of forward momentum when planing. Any higher and it becomes all arm action which can be tiring. Much lower than elbow height and the back can become quite sore from continually straightening up.

Ergonomics is an interesting topic in relation to manual work. There are definite norms which have evolved over the centuries. My local blacksmith (and another) once told me the anvil height was determined by the height from the floor to the bottom of the knuckles of a clenched fist with the arms by the side. This allows for full extension of the arm (maximum force) when swinging a hammer while retaining a good posture.

When I was setting up my first (home made) lathe, I sought the advice of a third generation professional turner and all six of his lathe centres were slightly above elbow height.

Christopher Schwarz gives a ballpark starting height as being from the floor to the joint where the pinky finger joins the hand, which is pretty much the height to a clenched fist from the ground. I don't know why he chose to describe it that way, he's weird sometimes. Oh yeah, that's with hands relaxed at the side, not picking your nose. Get his workbench book, many recommend it.

Cheers
Michael

A number of publications I have read suggest that stand with your arm by your side then turn your hand up so that the palm is parallel to the floor. This is your bench height. This would make it about 50mm or so taller that in mic-d's post.

By the way, Chris Schwarz's book is good and can be downloaded from the Popular Woodwork site at a fraction of the cost of the hard copy publication.

I have 6 benches of different heights and am blessed with a dodgy back so I just use whichever works best for the job at hand. I also do a lot of work from a sitting position.
If I had to have only one bench I would make it height adjustable.



Ross

Originally Posted by BobR

A number of publications I have read suggest that stand with your arm by your side then turn your hand up so that the palm is parallel to the floor. This is your bench height. This would make it about 50mm or so taller that in mic-d's post.

This must be a pretty common bit of lore, Bob - it's what I was told as a teenager, too. Seems to work well for me, for jobs like handplaning. I can get my whole body into the job. There have been a few discussions along this line on this & other BBs, and there is a body of opinion that people are preferring benches higher nowadays, which is why the straighter totes on LV planes are liked by some (and detested by me & a few others) because it favours the straighter wrist angle of a higher planing position.
Wouldwood's suggestion of elbow height would be way too high for me for planing - it would mean all arm & no back muscles in every stroke.

As Different says, we need benches of different heights for different jobs. I'm in the process of making another bench which will be near elbow height or possibly higher, for jobs like cutting dovetails & tenons & saw-filing, where I want things up closer to these not-so-sharp-anymore eyes. And I have a metal-working/sharpening/general purpose bench that is in-between those heights.

You can't have too many benches........

I reckon it depends on what you are doing on the bench.

Most of my benchs including saw bench & router table are about 100mm - 125mm (4" to 5") below my elbow (about hip hieght) but my assembly bench is at my knuckles with a closed fist with my arm straight down by my side.

I've been pondering bench top heights this week...
No answers...

But some interesting things from fine woodworking...


http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki....aspx?id=24127


http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki...e.aspx?id=5008

My lathe centre is about half way between my elbow & my shoulder but I like it higher.

Coincidence or not, this makes the bed of the lathe about the height of my other benches. (except the assembly bench.)

All my benches are the same height - 900mm. They happen to correspond to the flat palm rule of thumb (rule of palm?) but that is coincidence. The benches are the same height as my table saw, which means they can double as infeed/outfeed supports for large jobs. One bench is on wheels and can roll around to be used as an outfeed table, or to move items around the workshop or outside for spray finishes.

When I need things to be closer to my face, for example when chopping mortices or paring dovetails, I sit down. My back wont stand being stooped over work or standing in the one spot for any period of time, so I have three stools positioned around the place. They fit under the bench, so they're out of the way when not needed.

Otherwise, I find the 900mm high bench to be fine for planing and machine work. A little bench top bench like the one in the photo above would be handy. It is similar to a design in Woodworking with the Router by Hylton and Matlack.

Originally Posted by IanW

Wouldwood's suggestion of elbow height would be way too high for me for planing - it would mean all arm & no back muscles in every stroke.

I think I suggested slightly below elbow height, but thereabouts.

I think the more proficient you become; the closer you like your work.

If you look at how amateur turners set their lathes up versus professional turners; the professionals often have their lathes positioned much higher. Likewise many woodworkers initially like their benches quite low because their only reference is the work tops in their kitchen.

After a period of working at the bench, many woodworkers opt for a higher working surface. I also think age plays a role in ergonomics. Older woodworkers and those with bad backs often have higher benches because it obviates the necessity to continually straighten up.

G'day.

The ideal height for a bench is half way between your dick (And no funnies about length ) and your bellybutton. This allows the arms to be slightly bent when the palms are flat on the bench top.

All my benches are at this height and I have no issues with sore back, necks etc etc.

But I like me lathe and milling machine higher so I can be closer to the cutting area to see what is going on.

Originally Posted by glock40sw

The ideal height for a bench is half way between your dick and your bellybutton.

With or without Viagra?

Originally Posted by glock40sw

The ideal height for a bench is half way between your dick (And no funnies about length ) and your bellybutton. This allows the arms to be slightly bent when the palms are flat on the bench top.

If we are being so anatomically prescriptive, where do the girls measure from?

Since ALL the dangly bits of us vary a little from person to person, wouldn't it be simpler & more accurate to just go with the second sentence?