Workbench height question

[ear3]

Starting to think about modifying my workbench to better accommodate hand tool use, and one of the things I've found doing more hand plane work is that my current height of 34" is a little too short.  I don't have room for a dedicated hand tool bench, so I wanted to make something that is a compromise between power and hand tooling.  I might bring it up to 38".  But I'm wondering what other people have done who have dual use workbenches when it comes to height.  In particular, wondering what the tall folks do -- I'm 6'5"   

 

[Klemm]

Ed, not long ago I saw a workbench sitting on legs which were designed to accept a pair of removable Riser blocks. Might have been Ron Paulk's design - check his posts and YouTube videos or just ask him.
Klemm

 

[Holmz]

...
I might bring it up to 38".  But I'm wondering what other people have done who have dual use workbenches when it comes to height.  In particular, wondering what the tall folks do -- I'm 6'5" 

I was thinking it was a bit high but I am 6'2" eye o blue... And liked ~36-37".
So if that seems right it probably is.

I find cutting wood is easier than reattaching it, so one could always cut it down.

 

[tiralie]

Work bench height

 

[jwaite550]

I have my Paulk table set to the height of the MFT3 for most cutting and set it a little lower when assembling cabinets.  My Paulk table is hooked to a HF hoist and a pulley system in the attic and is raised to the ceiling for storage.  I have a set of toughbuilt C700 saw horses that are adjustable and that makes it easy for the task height to be adjusted before lowering the table.  36" is my standard and I am 6'4".  I have tried to attach a photo, but this is a first for me so it may not work.  LOL

 

[grbmds]

One suggestion is to make it the same height as other power tools (table saw, MFT, band saw, or other work tables). Then it can serve as infeed and outfield (or maybe that is why you already made it the height it currently is). Figuring out the correct height of the workbench was the toughest part of making my workbench for me. My old one was too low at about 33". I ended up making my new one 36" high and have found that, for most work I do, whether it's with power tools or hand tools, it works well. However, I am 5' 8" and that would imply you would want something higher than that. I would suggest experimenting with different heigh blocks underneath your current bench if possible to get a better idea what works. That may be a little difficult to pull off but, in the end, it's really the only way you can determine what will work for you. Or, if possible lay multiple squares of MDF or plywood on top and try different amounts. I like my 36" high bench for me and my uses.

 

[bertv]

A good height is 5 to 6 inches below the elbow (measure with underarm angled, pressed to your side). (I make that 5 to 6 inches, because in metric it is 14 cm…)

 

[grbmds]

A good height is 5 to 6 inches below the elbow (measure with underarm angled, pressed to your side). (I make that 5 to 6 inches, because in metric it is 14 cm…)

Good place to start, but it isn't always the best height for the work you normally. I researched and found that rule and a couple of other suggestions. In the end, I experimented with my existing workbench to find a height that I thought would work better for me.

 

[rljatl]

Check these out.  You could make your own for a lot less, but a dual height workbench might be a good solution.
Height Adjusting Blocks

 

[bdiemer]

Check these out.  You could make your own for a lot less, but a dual height workbench might be a good solution.
Height Adjusting Blocks

I'm 5ft 8in and my bench is 33 1/2 inches . That height is perfect for hand planning but terrible for cross cut sawing. Those bench risers would be perfect for me. Thanks                                                          Barry

 

[rljatl]

Just don't strain a nut lifting your workbench.  [scared]

Check these out.  You could make your own for a lot less, but a dual height workbench might be a good solution.
Height Adjusting Blocks

I'm 5ft 8in and my bench is 33 1/2 inches . That height is perfect for hand planning but terrible for cross cut sawing. Those bench risers would be perfect for me. Thanks                                                          Barry

 

[ear3]

Thanks for the repels so far.

 

[RussellS]

My workbench is 38" high.  Hand and power work.  I a 5'11".  Great height for fine detail cutting and cross cutting.  Not the right height for heavy ripping.  Need much lower for ripping.  Good height for smooth planning.  Not as good for heavy planning or jointing.  Good height for detail work where you want to be close to the work and see what you are doing.  If you are doing rough work and don't really need to see what you are doing, then lower is OK.

 

[McNally Family]

Starting to think about modifying my workbench to better accommodate hand tool use, and one of the things I've found doing more hand plane work is that my current height of 34" is a little too short.  I don't have room for a dedicated hand tool bench, so I wanted to make something that is a compromise between power and hand tooling.  I might bring it up to 38".  But I'm wondering what other people have done who have dual use workbenches when it comes to height.  In particular, wondering what the tall folks do -- I'm 6'5" 

The workbench my son and I are planning to build is by "AskWoodMan", and in video #2 of #48,  he talks about how he likes his worktables at about 40" (as I recall he is about 6'5", as well).  In a later video he talked about how he simply does not like to hunch over anymore while he works (since he is getting older).  I think anywhere between 38-40" is a good level.  I certainly would not go lower than 38".  As I recall, at one point he even said you could go higher than 40", in the area of 40-43".  It is all personal preference.
http://vsctools.com/shop/the-ultimate-work-table/

 

[Kev]

Being a short arse, the MFT/3 is about the perfect height for me [wink] anything taller and I'd need to wear my heels [blink] [eek]

I recently purchased a sit/stand mechanism and made a sit/stand desk for my wife (there's a controller, a 4 memory interface and a pair of legs, each with a motor, in a telescoping frame) that can take 100kg. You wouldn't hammer on it, but I could imagine using this mechanism on a work table for sawing, sanding and light assembly.

I haven't seen a commercial/industrial version of the mechanism, but I'm certain they exist. The home/office one I purchased would probably cost less than $US350.

Once I was of the opinion that all work heights should be the same .. it's a great situation if you want to move lengths of timber or sheets about between surfaces, but some operations are more comfortable at different heights. All I'm really adding to this thread is a bit more confusion, but I feel that if you have the opportunity to make something, try and incorporate a bit of height adjustment into the design as you never know what it's like to work on until it's finished.

 

[McNally Family]

Being a short arse, the MFT/3 is about the perfect height for me [wink] anything taller and I'd need to wear my heels [blink] [eek]

I recently purchased a sit/stand mechanism and made a sit/stand desk for my wife (there's a controller, a 4 memory interface and a pair of legs, each with a motor, in a telescoping frame) that can take 100kg. You wouldn't hammer on it, but I could imagine using this mechanism on a work table for sawing, sanding and light assembly.

I haven't seen a commercial/industrial version of the mechanism, but I'm certain they exist. The home/office one I purchased would probably cost less than $US350.

Once I was of the opinion that all work heights should be the same .. it's a great situation if you want to move lengths of timber or sheets about between surfaces, but some operations are more comfortable at different heights. All I'm really adding to this thread is a bit more confusion, but I feel that if you have the opportunity to make something, try and incorporate a bit of height adjustment into the design as you never know what it's like to work on until it's finished.

It almost sounds like you're describing the function of a barbers chair, adjusted for each client depending on both the height of the barber and customer. 

The workbench project I provided the link for above, has a metal support "subframe", located just below the top itself, complete with the ability to adjust the tabletop height (although I think he designed it more for leveling purposes than anything else, as he mentioned he does not have a level floor anywhere in his shop, and I would bet he has no more than 2 inches, if even that, of adjustment available).

I would agree having the ability to provide different heights, while also maintaining the ability to make all worktops the same when needed, would be ideal.  If for no other reason, it gives you the ability to simply change your mind.

 

[rst]

Actually there are commercial and self made forms of the adjustable height work stations,http://ergosource.com/   http://www.rockler.com/adjustable-height-work-stationhttp://www.core77.com/posts/41625/Scott-Rumschlags-DIY-Motor-Free-Height-Adjustable-Standing-Deskhttp://www.tedthorsen.com/itemgroup.aspx?category_id=3222http://www.core77.com/posts/26693/guido-einemanns-mobile-furniture-building-workstations-26693

 

[Michael Kellough]

I'd go with the best lower height for general operations then make a riser workstation that you can clamp in the bench for delicate work that need to be closer to eye level. This can work even for long workpieces because you can make smaller clamp-on risers to support the other end.

With small risers you can leave your tools and supplies etc. where they are on the bench. Think of it as an overpass above a crowded neighborhood.

 

[Elmar50]

I made bases with casters and screw jacks for MFT tops to allow for mobility and use as outfeed tables and extensions for several power tools. Also makes the tops much sturdier when working with chisels and planes. Since I'm 5'10" the hgt range was from 33" to 40".

 

[Dane]

I've always thought that the Noden Adjust-A-Bench would be a good pairing with an MFT style top. http://www.adjustabench.com/

It's actually pretty reasonably priced for what it does...