Thread: Optimum work bench height?

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

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


Ron

great minds think alike but mine was first so delete yours

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

Originally Posted by p38arover

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 I bought a dishwasher

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.

Originally Posted by one_iota

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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.