workbench height what should it be ?

rfuerst911sc · 05-08-2011, 05:28 AM

I am planning on building a workbench for my new garage. It will be 13 feet long and 2 foot deep but I'm wondering what height should it be ? My kitchen countertops are about 36 inches but I was thinking 38-40 for the workbench what do you think ? I'm 5'-10" tall. There is a masonary ledge that I'm going to let the stringers sit on and they will be screwed to the wall. Depending on if I use 2x4 vs. 2x6 will alter the height by 2 inches. I prefer to use the 2x6. The top will be 2x6's laying flat with masonite screwed to it for the final countertop finish. The uprights will be 2x6's also. Nothing fancy just strong. So what do you guys think ? Any advice on the height or any other suggestions ?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Whatever is comfortable for YOU.....

Tim Hancock · 05:51 AM

FWIW, most of my workbenches are 41" tall and about 34" deep although I have a couple that are lower. The lower ones are often used for jigging up and assembling/welding/glueing large stuff on and are actually movable stand alone "tables" (I also have HD adjustable height sawhorses that I sometimes rig up as temporary tables). My 41" benches are more or less built in and attached to walls and seem just right to me for working on small stuff. (I am typing this on my shop laptop that is sitting on one of my 41" benches)

A930Rocket · 05-08-2011, 05:54 AM

As said, build to what's comfortable. 2x6's might be overkill IMHO.

I'm not sure masonite would make a good top. Either 2x's, plywood or metal might be better and more durable.

Hugh R · 05-08-2011, 06:01 AM

Do a test with phone books or something at various heights, working on your kitchen counter. Think about the various tasks you anticipate doing. Working on a trannie where you have to look down into the box is different than rebuilding a couple of Webers. Will you be standing all the time or working while sitting on a shop stool?

mossguy · 05-08-2011, 06:04 AM

Masonite makes a good replaceable top if it is screwed down to an appropriate wood or plywood "undertop". Ii is not expensive, and is smooth if that is a consideration.

Tim Hancock · 05-08-2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mossguy

Masonite makes a good replaceable top if it is screwed down to an appropriate wood or plywood "undertop". Ii is not expensive, and is smooth if that is a consideration.

Yep.... my main workbenches are skinned on top with masonite I then added a 1X3 pine lip around the perimeter that is flush on top with the masonite. Kind of gives it a finished lip and hides/protects the raw edge of the masonite.

BeyGon · 05-08-2011, 06:18 AM

Mine is 36" and I am 6', if anything I would make it higher. It depends on what works for you.

Chocaholic · 05-08-2011, 07:10 AM

Belly-button height. Problem solved.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Whatever is comfortable for YOU.....

absolutely - it should be scaled to your size (not just ht., but arm length, etc. come into play) AND should be scaled to the type of work you are doing too

e.g. when reading up on kitchens prior to my big knock-down kitchen remodel, I found out that bakers like a different ht. than others do in commercial kitchens (kneading bread, etc.)

finally, it is a LOT easier to raise a countertop than to lower it after the fact

944Larry · 944Larry's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Do a test with phone books or something at various heights, working on your kitchen counter. Think about the various tasks you anticipate doing. Working on a trannie where you have to look down into the box is different than rebuilding a couple of Webers. Will you be standing all the time or working while sitting on a shop stool?

Just how many phone books have you got Hugh?

944Larry · 944Larry's Garage

Waist high for me, if it's big or heavy I work on it on the floor anyway.

Tim Hancock · 05-08-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Belly-button height. Problem solved.

Huh..... that is exactly how high my benches are.

island911 · 05-08-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

absolutely - it should be scaled to your size (not just ht., but arm length, etc. come into play) AND should be scaled to the type of work you are doing too....

exactly. And the there's sitting or standing question. Maybe have a section for each type of work/position. Will you be adding a big fat rubber mat to stand on? .... account for it.

PorscheGAL · PorscheGAL's Garage

Compare to your kitchen counter. Is that a comfortable height? If not, adjust accordingly.

Jim Bremner · 05-08-2011, 11:16 AM

House one is at 37" but at work it's at 41" which is also the height of my pick ups tailgate and my moving cart.

There's a plywood that is used in the concrete biz. It's finish layer is a coating that has linen bonded on top of the plywood with a clear coat over. If you're not going to be rough on it it makes a great top If you'll be rough on it use melonite.

Under my vise and grinder I have a large baking sheet that I bought from smart and final. It keeps all of the cuttings and oil drippings from the vise. My next bench I'll go to a sheet metal shop and have them make a tray that has a trap for the grinder mess, imagine a back splash that has a 9 behind it to collect the ground metal. The 9 would have a split in it so that the ground metal would collect up in the top area and will have a way to hook up the shop vac to clean it out

I plan on selling off my toolboxes to buy a cabinet that's under my work bench. In the tool box space it will give me more room for a large drill press that I've been given.

Now, for guys that work in their garage. How cool would it be that you had 1 motor that powerd your air comressor that you could switch to power your grinder, drillpress, lathe?