Optimum work bench height?

[spudboy]

I am building a new steel work bench for my workshop, and wondered if anyone has an opinion on the optimum height for working standing up.

I want to attach a vice to it, and probably a grinder, but mostly it will just be used for working on stuff from my 130.

Various recommendations from a few sites on the internet vary between 850mm and 1000mm.

Anyone have any professional advice on this, maybe if you are a mechanic etc?

Thanks

[scrambler]

My opinion - the height you don't have to bend over to work on it and don't have to "reach up" either. I don't think there's a universal one-size-fits-all answer. I'd reckon it's probably 10-15cm lower than your elbows, but that's just a guess. Try out different heights before you build.

Steve

[spudboy]

OK - well I am 6'3", so looks like higher is going to be better then. My elbows bend at 1150mm.

Maybe I'll go for 1000mm and see what I think about that.

[one_iota]

It depends on how tall you are and the length of your limbs (I'm not talking knuckle dragging ;) )

The lowest optimum height of a work surface is the height from the floor to the underside of your hands when your arms are held by your side with your hands pointing forward and horizontal to the floor.

Google "anthropometrics"

[Blknight.aus]

Personally I like my bench at such a height that when i press my belly to it the belt buckle is just below the level of the bench say an inch or so then I leave a few different thickness of planks hanging around so that if im working on something tall I can just stand on them

[Pavo]

What about making it just that little bit higher and then you can lower if required? Then you'll get exactly what you find comfortable.

[discoute]

My welding and fabrication bench is 1080mm I am 6" tall. my other benchs range from 900 to 1100mm. If you are fitting a vice keep your bench on the short side.

glen

[spudboy]

Once it's built - that will be it! Way too much trouble to cut it down.

I am putting on a chequer (sp?) plate top and doors and sides so I can lock it up, and it will be bolted to the concrete too as I'm storing my chainsaws & power tools inside it.

We live on a farm and not many people about, so going for security. Some lowlife broke in a few months ago (just heaved a brick through the window) and pinched tools and camping gear. Now I have 10mm laminated glass and unless they bring an oxy set, they won't be leaving with anything of value.

[Pavo]

Aaaah, that's going to be some fancy workbench.

[spudboy]

Well it will be solid! Chequer plate is pretty cheap at $95 for an 8x4 sheet of it.

[rangieman]

as my dad was a engineer he always said to me the work bench with a vice , height of the vice should be to your elbow which when working with a file and a hack saw is at the correct angle that you are working at
so i always measure from your elbow to the ground subtract the size of your vice and thats the height of your bench:D

[p38arover]

The optimum height is where your elbow is level with the top of the vice.

Ideal for filing, sawing, etc.

That's what I was taught many years ago.

Ditto for kitchens. I find most kitchens too low and I get a backache - so does my wife. When we had this kitchen put in (and the previous one), we had the benches fitted higher.

Ron

[p38arover]

Look at that. Two posts saying the same thing at the same time.


Ron

[rangieman]

great minds think alike but mine was first so delete yours:p

[discowhite]

waist height!
perfect height for me at 174cm.... and the longet the bench the better. i have to 4m long benches joined together at work, vice's at either ends, a straight and an offset. they dont need to be to deep, usually an arms length is fine.
make it big and heavy, and bolt it to the ground. probably even put some earth clamp points on it for the welder.

cheers phil

[one_iota]

Ditto for kitchens. I find most kitchens too low and I get a backache - so does my wife. When we had this kitchen put in (and the previous one), we had the benches fitted higher.

Ron

I hate to bring up the subject of dishwashing :eek: I bought a dishwasher:p

However this is a fact...for me a kitchen bench should be 930 mm not the standard 900 mm... the sink base is 150 mm lower and a pain in the neck.

Trust me I am (was) an architect;).

[p38arover]

I hate to bring up the subject of dishwashing :eek: I bought a dishwasher:p

However this is a fact...for me a kitchen bench should be 930 mm not the standard 900 mm... the sink base is 150 mm lower and a pain in the neck.

Trust me I am (was) an architect;).

1. Zackly!

2. I know

Ron

[Yabbie]

Why not make the legs of the bench out of RHS and buy yourself some adjustable legs (for the bench people!!!) similar to those found on your washing machine only alittle longer so you can adjust it alittle.

That way even if your close with your measurements you can still be off and adjust it to suit.
A little extra stuffing around but I'm sure your lower back will notice the difference with it.

[Bigbjorn]

as my dad was a engineer he always said to me the work bench with a vice , height of the vice should be to your elbow which when working with a file and a hack saw is at the correct angle that you are working at
so i always measure from your elbow to the ground subtract the size of your vice and thats the height of your bench:D

We old fitters were taught that the top of the vice jaws should be the height of the undersde of your elbow with the arm bent at 90 degrees.
I prefer it a little higher. Shorta---es can always stand on something. The height of the table of an anvil should be the height of the striking face of the hammer with the hammer handle level and the forearm bent at 45 degrees to the vertical upper arm.
Make the bench top at a height that precludes stooping whilst working at the bench. You should be able to work at the bench standing straight, and comfortably place the outsides of your clenched fists on the bench, arms slightly bent, without bending your back. A good idea is to have enough space under the bench to stick your feet under so you can stand closer and not stoop or bend. All these help to avoid back pain.

[VladTepes]

1. The height of my workbench is irrelevant as there is so much crap in front of and on it that I haven;t been able to use it yet !!!!

2. Yeah I have that kitchen problem too. Makes washing up a complete pain in the... back.

[JDNSW]

Here's another one the same - the top of your vice should be level with the bottom of your elbow with your forearm horizontal.

I would advise against having your bench adjustable as one of the most important features of a good bench is rigidity, especially if you are using a vice.

John

[incisor]

I hate to bring up the subject of dishwashing :eek: I bought a dishwasher:p

However this is a fact...for me a kitchen bench should be 930 mm not the standard 900 mm... the sink base is 150 mm lower and a pain in the neck.

Trust me I am (was) an architect;).
back when i was building stainless benches etc for shops etc the AS std bench height was 920mm i thought...

[p38arover]

back when i was building stainless benches ...

Ok, so when will you start making some well-priced stainless steel water tank to put behind the seats of our cars? The ones I looked at at the camping show on Sunday were $550! :eek:

A friend made up a water tank from stainless steel cut from an old urinal. I suppose it was good steel and it was cheap.

I'd have a go but I can't weld.

Ron

[incisor]

i already have the mig, need a tig if you want real neat, but you supply the gas, wire, dy-chek and cut to size steel and i will do em for you when ever you want....

just imagine the smell welding old urinal sheet....

[Buggerluggs]

Many years ago when I did my fitter and turner apprenticeship we were taught that the right height should be determined by standing upright against the bench with your elbow just touching the top of the vice. As the vice was the main tool on the bench it needs to be positioned so that when cutting or filing you are standing upright. The bench height is then lower by the height of the vice. The bigger the vice the lower the bench.

Works for me!