Work bench, how tall?

[WMarshy]

Ive made plans to build a nice work bench in my basement and after getting the top all ready to go on Im reconsidering the height at which to build it. Im about 6'2" so I was thinking the top should be between 40-46" tall... anyone out there got a magic number that seems to work well for your height? Bench is 32" deep by 8'...

[natemoen]

Do you prefer to stand and work or sit and work? Are you going to have tools on the wall behind the bench?

[WMarshy]

most of my work will be done standing, if I choose to sit Im going to get a tall bar stool... I wont be hanging tools on the wall behind the bench as its just concrete block right now...

[natemoen]

I will go measure my bench in a little bit, but I want to say I have it somewhere around that height and I wish I had made it a little shorter. I would suggest measuring your kitchen counters, tables, and whatnot and compairing that height to what you are looking for.

[TADracer]

Make it bar height

My bench is bar height or 42" above the floor. I am 6'-2" tall and work standing or on a bar stool. Height is perfect for everything you would normally do like building carbs or doing other small maintenance stuff. My vise is mounted on one end and the height of the jaws is good and my grinder and polisher is on the other end.

Working on something large like say, a motor, then table height or 36" seems to be a bit better. When I do this (rarely) I use the heavy table I usually keep my tool box stationed on. Also, this is a better height for something like mounting a drill press.

But in the end it is your specific preference.

[WMarshy]

Thanks for the advice guys, I already know the counters in my house are at 32" (34?) tall and think they are always too short. When I sketched up this work bench I planned on making it 42" but then last night I notched my 4x4 corner post and left it long to see if maybe I would like it taller... at 45" tall it was definitely too tall. Figured I would try and see what a common height was for people 6'+.

[WMarshy]

Got pictures? I'd be interested in seeing how people framed theirs...I will post a few when Im done.

[natemoen]

I am 6 foot and my bench is 42" high and 31" deep. I do like the working height BUT it is a bit of a reach at times if something has rolled to the back against the wall.

I used all 2x4's for mine

[WMarshy]

I used all 2x4's for mine

What did you use for the top? My frame is 2x4 frame except 4/4 corner posts and Im using 1" plywood for the top with 2x4 16" OC. Just using 3" screws for fastners.

Good idea with the air line, I'll keep that in mind when I get a compressor.

[natemoen]

I had 2 32"x60"x2" butcher block tabletops that I used.

[CatatonicBug]

Mine is 34" tall. I'm 5'10", and it's perfect for standing work. I dropped one end on it to allow the top of the bench to be a guide table for my mitre saw. All 2X4 contstruction, with 2X12's on the top. I trimmed the sides of the 2X12's so they would meet flat against each other (a poor-man's jointery). The feet are 3/8" bolts held into the bottom of each leg with Tee nuts, allowing me to level the bench. I mortised/tennoned the 2X4's to frame the bench, and mortised in a piece of plywood on the ends to keep things from falling out the end. The only fasteners I used are glue and drywall screws.

[crazy steve]

I'm 6' too, and I know what you mean about low counters...

It depends on how you're planning on using the bench. If you're only going to do 'light' work or work on small items, a higher bench is OK. But if you want to do 'heavy' work, don't go too high; if you're trying to grunt something heavy up onto or off of it, the extra height isn't a help. I like the top just above my belt buckle. And if you're going to mount a vice or bench grinder, the extra counter height can put those too high. If you're doing any grinding/drilling, the extra height just puts that stuff closer to eye level and that's not always good.

Make your countertop as stout as you can afford. While the base framing is important, if you do any beating on 'stuff' that will transmit the blows better. Using 1" plywood, I'd double it to 2". I'd also put some 1/4" hardboard over the top of the plywood as it will wear better and clean much easier. Use the extra hardboard to put a 4-6" backboard on the sides of the bench that go against the wall so you don't lose stuff in the gaps, and that will also help keep any spills on the bench. Slap a coat of some sort of sealer on the countertop as that will help it from soaking up the inevitable spills/fluids. Yeah, it'll get worn off in places, but it still helps.

I've got mine at 38", and that's about perfect for me. I certainly wouldn't go over 40". I was lucky, I salvaged commercial-grade all-metal cabinet bases for mine, and my benchtop is made of 1.5" solid-core hardwood doors (also salvaged). It'll support anything I can manage to get up there...

[forexbob]

Workbench?

This one works great. It's got adjustable legs for height. It's portable so you can take where the work is instead of bringing the work to the bench. If you need more work space, you can just get another one. When your work is done, you can fold it up and put it out of the way!

YesI'm trying to convince myself how well I have it.



Bob

[WMarshy]

I'm 6' too, and I know what you mean about low counters...

It depends on how you're planning on using the bench. If you're only going to do 'light' work or work on small items, a higher bench is OK. But if you want to do 'heavy' work, don't go too high; if you're trying to grunt something heavy up onto or off of it, the extra height isn't a help. I like the top just above my belt buckle. And if you're going to mount a vice or bench grinder, the extra counter height can put those too high. If you're doing any grinding/drilling, the extra height just puts that stuff closer to eye level and that's not always good.

Make your countertop as stout as you can afford. While the base framing is important, if you do any beating on 'stuff' that will transmit the blows better. Using 1" plywood, I'd double it to 2". I'd also put some 1/4" hardboard over the top of the plywood as it will wear better and clean much easier. Use the extra hardboard to put a 4-6" backboard on the sides of the bench that go against the wall so you don't lose stuff in the gaps, and that will also help keep any spills on the bench. Slap a coat of some sort of sealer on the countertop as that will help it from soaking up the inevitable spills/fluids. Yeah, it'll get worn off in places, but it still helps.

I've got mine at 38", and that's about perfect for me. I certainly wouldn't go over 40". I was lucky, I salvaged commercial-grade all-metal cabinet bases for mine, and my benchtop is made of 1.5" solid-core hardwood doors (also salvaged). It'll support anything I can manage to get up there...

Thanks for the thoughts! The plywood Im using is oak, not crappy pine... Something thicker would be ideal but I doubt anything Im working on urls going to be crashing through it. I was considering putting some aluminum down to cover the surface, its just not in the budget right now. I think Im going to put the height at waist high and call it good. I also have a piece of countertop Im going to put on the end at a lower height. That way if Im working on something sloppy I can just wipe it up... Im excited to have a bench, building it is half the fun too!

My next question is, what are you using for audio in your shop?

[crazy steve]

...I was considering putting some aluminum down to cover the surface, its just not in the budget right now...

My next question is, what are you using for audio in your shop?

Don't use aluminum, as it gouges rather easily (the first time you cut yourself wiping the counter, you'll know what I mean..). If you want to use metal, get some 16 gauge or preferably thicker galvanized steel. Thinner than that, it dents too easily and you'll end up with a lumpy countertop. Hardboard ('Masonite') works well, is pretty cheap, and easy to cut. Glue it down with some contact cement or use counter-sunk screws for a long-wearing surface.

Audio? Who can hear over the grinder/drill press/welder/lathe/compressor? One of these days I'll pick up some used speakers that can take the power of the 200 WPC Crown amp I have in a closet, but until then the tools workin' are music to my ears...