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+--- Thread: Ideal workbench height (/showthread.php?tid=20192)
Ideal workbench height - ho'ard - 10-07-2006
Building out a small workshop for light manufacturing.
Is there such a thing as a universal standing work surface height?
Looks to me like 42" would work best for me . . . pros and cons of slightly higher vs. slightly lower?
Re: Ideal workbench height - slbett - 10-07-2006
The height will vary from person to person. I look at the job to be done and adjust height to be able to see or work at a comfortable level as not to have to bend over or have to keep arms at an unnatural level. I once worked at a surface just 2 inches lower than my normal height and my back was sore for 2 days from just bending over a little.
Re: Ideal workbench height - AlphaDog - 10-07-2006
I doubt there's a standard, because 42" would be way too high for me. Standard counter height in kitchens is 36", which happens to be my ideal. Of course I'm probably shorter than anybody that would be standing at your work bench.
More helpfully, wouldn't the height depend on what kind of activity was taking place? Even 36" is too high for me to do some things comfortably. If I was using the work surface to hold a large item up off the floor, then I would opt for something lower that would bring what I was working on up to a comfortable level.
OK, I'll go with my first answer: Whatever works for you, especially since you're the one who has to work at it.
Re: Ideal workbench height - Mike Johnson - 10-07-2006
I think the ideal bench height is four or five inches below where your elbows hang. Any higher than that, and your shoulders will complain. Much lower than that and your back will bother you.
Re: Ideal workbench height - Paul F. - 10-07-2006
Depends on whether you plan on working from the seated position, or from standing, and what sort of work you're doing...
If you doing fine detail work, a higher bench will get the work closer to your eyes without stooping (which will wreck your back in short order).
On the other hand, if you're doing welding of large parts or pounding type work, a slightly lower bench would probably suit.
My "general purpose" workbench I use for gunsmithing, stock work, knifemaking, and putttering around with jewelry and such is about an inch below belly-button height. This makes it good for working from standing, and when I'm working from seated, brings the work up close where I can see it.
If in doubt, try to build a bench you can change the height of.
Working at the wrong height will be frustrating, and painful, and you won't get work done.
Hope this helps (even thought it was a little short on specific height measurements...)
Re: Ideal workbench height - ho'ard - 10-08-2006
That's helpful, thanks!
Most of the work to be done up on the bench will be small parts assembly, rebuidling hubs and truing wheels, playing with rims and tires. There will be a welding table for most of the welding, which will maybe be a tad lower (it will be on locking casters).
Re: Ideal workbench height - Racer X - 10-08-2006
all good advice. As for kitchen counters for example, the height that is perfect for mixing and stirring is about 4-6" higher than if you were working at kneading dough for bread or buscuits. You need to bend over and bear down on the dough then, using your body weight to your advantage.