Ceiling fan placement question

[widebody911]

I bought a celing fan for my garage/shop, a fairly nice 54" jobbie. I'm placing it over the workbench area; if you image standing front and center of the workbench, the sweep of the fan is just behind you.

My question is how close to the ceiling/far off the floor should it be? I bought a 2' drop pole, which puts the motor 36" from the ceiling and 9' off the floor. Should I go higher? I don't think I should go lower. I was second guessing myself and thinking I should use a 1' drop instead, which would put it 10' off the floor and 2' from the ceiling.

Thoughts?

[928ram]

It sounds like the goal is comfort at the "tinkering station". The closer the fan is to you, the more direct and concentrated the breeze will be, plus the closer to the ceiling they are, the more likely they will stick dust against the ceiling above them. I'd stick with the 2' drop, myself.
If it's the headroom that's a concern, I've whacked many a ceiling fan with everything from 2x4s to ladders and never damaged one.

[RickM]

If you can live with it at 2' then do that. The fan will perform better than at 1' (plus you can always shorten if you don't like). A dust issue was the first thing that came to mind for me as well.

[id10t]

How high do your fingers reach when you stand up and stretch your arms way up, and then up on tip-toes? Whatever that is, add a few inches.

[Mule]

The farther away from the ceiling you can safely put it, the more air it will move.

[widebody911]

Cool, I'll use the 2' extension, which will put the fan about 1' out of my reach.

Thanks!