Recommendations On Optimum Bench Height?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Rockabilly Interim Pardon Viscount
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I'm heading out to get some lumber this week, to make myself a bench. It will be small -- 2'X4'. I haven't worked at a bench very much since I was 13-14 years old; some 35 years ago.

I don't have any bench-mount tools. I will have a 3.5" Wilton swivel vice, and a knife vice, and I will be making bevels with files, and profiling with an angle grinder.

In snow-skiing, you determine the length of your skis by your height or overhead standing reach or something like that. Is there any kind of body reference you use to determine your optimum bench height?

I am 5'9", with an inseam of 32", if that means anything. I think 33-36" is about right. Not sure.

Any feedback appreciated.

--squiddy
 
It all comes down to comfort, but if you plan on adding a belt grinder or something like that you do have to start thinking about ergonomics as well. I built a small bench to mount my vise and grinder on and I thought I could get away with splitting the difference between the two, I was wrong:( My vise is a tad too low and my grinder is a tad too high. My solution is going to be to build a second bench and mount my vise and similar tools to that, and cut down the legs on the original bench and it will be used for the grinder only.

To find out what height you need, I would just do something temporary, like piling boxes and standing at them to see if it feels right. Once you get that height ranged in make the real bench, but either add in adjustable legs to fine tune it, or make it a tad tall, but leave some room to cut it down if needed. Once you get that first bench made and tuned in every other bench you make will be easy.
 
I agree with george. It may be a bit of trial and error to find your ideal bench height. I don't have a permanent place for my equipment, so I set everything up on a work table in my garage. I stack up pieces of lumber for my grinder to sit on and them clamp it all down. I have it at a height where with my elbows locked to my side and at a 90 degree angle outwards, my hands are 2-3 inches above my tool rest. I find this gives me the most control, and allows me to make side to side grinding movements without having to unlock my arms.

Too low and I find my neck aches from having to lean down too far, and the added weight of earmuffs, respirator and safety shield really put a strain on the neck muscles (1-2 pounds makes WAY more of a difference than you might think)

Too high and I find myself losing control of whatever is in my hands, because I can't keep my elbows locked to my side anymore.

I suggest setting things up temporarily a few times, and try different grinding/working conditions with each height.
 
Between your belt-line and where your forearms rest when you point them straight forward from your hips works well for me. Like Jon says, you certainly don't want to be half bent over. If you work from a stool a lot, you can just adjust the stool height. Basically, whatever keeps your lower back and neck fairly straight will be comfortable.
 
I don't know if this will work for you, but it did for me. What I did was take the file and start filing air until it felt right. I them measure that approximately and did that. it feels good and is the fastest solution to the problem.
 
Take your time and see how high your vise will be etc. Some people are like ok i like it at my belly button level then build. Well they forget their vise is another 6-8" higher.
 
Thanks for the replies.

My kitchen counters feel too high for the kind of work I will be doing, especially if I add the height of a vise.

I think I will wait until I get my vises and figure out exactly how to set up my work.

Regarding thegeek574's idea: I tend to put a lot more muscle behind it, and I really lean into it more, if it is heat-treated air, vs annealed air. Just another thing to consider. :D
 
I see what you mean. I find, going with just straight files, I have a tendency to grind pretty close to finished before HT, and so I just a sand a lot and call it good. I have a 2x4 with the thin side up nailed to the bench for draw filing and such. it works really well. I have some stall mat glued down for hand sanding, and a place I can use for heavy filing. I really like it. spending the time and making the things that I needed in the first place was the best decision that I have made so far.
 
I build three work surfaces arond me, almost like a cockpit.
I find multiple hights a good thing. I took my time to figure out the hight I wanted. A bit like thegeek sayed, just try it.
I stacked crates, boxes and planks on top of eachother and tried working that hight.
78cm / 89cm / 119cm is what I have.
And I use a 2"x 2" beech wooden 'beam' I can clamp on top of or underneath each bench to give even more different working hights.

Don't have your vice to low.
 
+1 with hengelo, i have 3 different bench heigths for various stages of build and assembly, and they position like a cockpit, and i do get a feeling of purpose when i step into that area. Set your machines at your grind style requirements. Discussing anvil heights this weekend it was all agreed a little tall is better than to low. GHaile
 
Whatever you decide now, it will all change when you're over 40 and then again depending on which pair of glasses you put on.
 
Not counting bench mounted tools(grinder, ect),I like my bench top at elbow level. It works well for me to do leather work and some light mechanical work, but I haven't finished putting my grinder together yet, so I can't comment on that.
 
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