Optimum full sheet working height...

[jeffinsgf]

If one were designing a workbench/pair of horses/etc. for use with a plunge saw and guide rail, with the main goal of breaking down full sheets, assuming the average user is about 6 foot tall, what height would you consider ideal? 

Seems like it should be a little shorter than an MFT to facilitate reaching across the full 4 feet, but how much shorter? 

I don't want to build it so short that I feel it in my back at the end of a day.

 

[Peterm]

I was always told that you the perfect height was knuckle-height i.e. you should be able to clench a fist and rest your knuckles on the worksurface; for me that's about 29" (735mm - long arms!) but obviously will vary with each individuals stature and it's the main reason I haven't bought an MFT3 yet - I'd hate to spend all that money and have to cut 6" off the legs to make it work for me!

Note to Festool, one height doesn't fit all; are adjusable leg-heights too much to ask in an expensive worktable??

Cheers, Pete.

 

[Rob-GB]

I made mine 800mm high, approx 31.5", and find that comfortable to work at. I have an add on top for use as a MFT substitute that brings it up to 900mm (36" approx).
If in doubt make it/them taller and trim down to suit. Hope this helps.
Regards Rob.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

For that task I like using my fold-up metal, ebco saw horses.  So what ever that height is.

I have about 10 sets of those things and I could use some more.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

The knuckle height story has about 5 variations....it is no reason not to buy a MFT.  Generally unless you are working on large case goods you want your workbench to be higher so that you can actually see what you are doing.  The lower heights recommended are generally for hand planing so that you can use your weight and keep your arms at your side.  I take classes at a local college with a dozen workbenches of different heights and always gravitate towards the higher benches because my back does not get sore from leaning over all night.

Back to the original question, I would get a pair of adjustable sawhorses and try different heights. Like clamps you can never have too many sawhorses.  I like my cutting platform low ( plastic adjustable sawhorses set at the lowest setting) that you can lean over it to reach the far side on a crosscut.  If you have say 30" sawhorses you can put a torsion box style top ( or MFT) on top and arrive at a reasonable height to work from for assembly and other activities.

 

[score0matic]

The cutting height that works best is some where between 28 and 31 for the average height 5'10" man.  If you are building a cut table that is fixed  look at other items in  your shop and match up if it would make things easyer for you.

with the Walko I set the leg height to 29" this matched my cross horses and wetsaw stand. 

criag

 

[tbellemare]

average height 5'10" man

I'm glad you quantified that, Craig. When I lived in the Netherlands, I remember reading an article that stated the average Dutch woman was 6'-1" and average man a couple of inches taller. It was an article about the tallest man, who was 7' something.

I don't know how accurate it was but they make some big ones across the pond.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

average height 5'10" man

I'm glad you quantified that, Craig. When I lived in the Netherlands, I remember reading an article that stated the average Dutch woman was 6'-1" and average man a couple of inches taller. It was an article about the tallest man, who was 7' something.

I don't know how accurate it was but they make some big ones across the pond.

Tom, that article wasn't right. We do have, on average, the longest people in the world, but the average is not over 6'. The 5'10'' seems more reasonable. 

Just checked it. Seems the average size for a man here is 6' and for a woman 5'7''.

 

[richard.selwyn]

I have had to raise my MFT by about 8cm's to make it comfortable.  I am just under 6 ft (sorry to mix metric and imperial) I just fitted blocks under the feet.  But I have a big (8ft x 4ft) cutting table at the same height and it is too high to reach across - I am working on a better solution.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The cutting height that works best is some where between 28 and 31 for the average height 5'10" man.  If you are building a cut table that is fixed  look at other items in  your shop and match up if it would make things easyer for you.

with the Walko I set the leg height to 29" this matched my cross horses and wetsaw stand. 

criag

Criag,

Glad you mentioned Walko, as this is what I'm working on.  I'm designing a set of tube legs to fit to the Walko when it is in full sheet mode.  So, you have yours at 29" to the top of the plastic strips?