Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 27, 2005 03:42am | #1

   Just me and not a expert on the subject...

   I would think about 23 to 28 inches.. But I have no idea how big the child is.. As I recall they some in various sizes?

   Just pullin' your chain..

   I would sit her down in a chair she/he is comfortable in and measure what you feel is a good height for the writing surface.. However I would just sit the child at your dining table and ask her/he to write or draw something and watch.. This should give you a good idea.. If to tall prop up on books until they are comfortable and subtract the book height from you table height..

   I made a roll top desk for one of my granddaughter several years ago.. She just loved it.. I think I got the plans from Rockler? and just scaled it down a bit.. I also made a base for it that could be set under it to bring it up to standard height..

   She just loved the little pigeon holes ... (What I call them)

   By the way.. Fine Woodworking Traditional Furniture Projects has a nice roll top in it.. Also not sure what style desk you are thinking of.. I just found it fun making the roll top.. Well except fer that dang tambour thing! Geee... Turned out OK though

2. 
   ram | Oct 27, 2005 03:49am | #2

   Maximum ergonomic desk height is something like how high the chair seat is, plus how high the bottom of the arm is above that, with the elbow bent 90 degrees, above the work surface (or keyboard if used with a computer).  You don't want the arm to bend up.  There is a lot of Google-able information available on ergonomic design factors.  For example (from http://www.ergonomicoffice.com.au):

   • Does your chair allow you to place your feet flat on the floor with no pressure under your thighs while still supporting them?
   • Is the desk adjusted so when your elbows are at a right angle, your hands are at, or slightly above the keyboard?

   If your'e interested in a rough rule of thumb, the desk I'm sitting at is 28" and feels very good for writing, maybe a fraction high for keyboard use.  When I stand up with my arms loose at my side, the top is even with the second knuckle.

   -robert

1. 
   charnwood | Oct 28, 2005 09:51pm | #4

   Thank you to Teledmd,Ram and Willgeorge for your comments I think I will do what Willgeorge suggests and make a full height table at 28 inches

   I  did have a thought , another source for deciding on the height of the table

   web sites  providing  Furniture supplies to schools

    

   regards Charnwood

1. 
   ram | Oct 29, 2005 02:33am | #5

   Yeah, I think Will got it right: make it full size.  Kids are always adapting to their env so it makes sense.  Hopefully there is a trend on both sides of your family to estimate what full size is likely to be.  In my family the men are about average, whereas the tall women are about 5'3" and several under 5'.

   Anyhow, be sure to post a picture when it's done!  I may want to steal the design for my daughter! ;-)

   -robert

1. 
   charnwood | Oct 30, 2005 12:14am | #6

   Dear Ram

   I  found the following information in a school supply catalogue over here in the United Kingdom

   child 4-6 years height 110-130cm table height 54cm

   child 7-10 years height 125-155cm table height 61 cm

   child 10-14 years height 140 to 170 cm table height 66 cm

   adult height 160-190cm table height 75 cm

   Chair seat heights

   4-6 years 31 cm

   7-10 years 36 cm

   10-14 years 41 cm

   adult 45 cm

   Sorry the measurements are in centimeters (cm.) I find it difficult to think in them perhaps it,s my age

   regards Charnwood

1. 
   ram | Oct 31, 2005 07:15pm | #8

   Interesting set of numbers, there, thanks!  I have a 5 year old at home so it's not entirely academic, although I'm inclined to buy into the idea of "full size" and let them grow into it.

   One thought about the applicability of the UK numbers:  in my area pediatricians give you periodic reports on how your child is doing compared to demographic "norms" for thing like height, weight, cranial circumference.  In one visit, my wife, who is usually more vigilent in her healthy skepticism than me, asked where the data comes from.  The doctor happily related it is from two hospitals in the midwestern USA in the 1950s and 1960s.  The study was based almost entirely on subjects of north European ancestry.  Hardly applicable to our population mix now, with so many Asian, south Asian, Hispanic folks that we have no majority ethnicity.  Hilarious!

   -robert

2. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 31, 2005 07:24pm | #9

   Hardly applicable to our population mix now, with so many Asian, south Asian, Hispanic folks that we have no majority ethnicity. Hilarious!I agree.. My two adopded 'CHINA' girls should be MUCH Taller and Fatter.. LOOK Beautiful to me!EDIT:: Grandbabies... They are WONDERFUL!

   Edited 10/31/2005 12:25 pm by WillGeorge

3. 
   charnwood | Nov 01, 2005 12:09am | #10

   Dear Ram

            I too have come  to the conclusion that making a full height  desk for my daughter (aged 10)  at 28 inches is the best approach.

   I posted the  height and age figures to assist anyone who prefer to take a different approach  or has a very young  child 

   regards Charnwood   

    

    

3. 
   TeleDMD | Oct 27, 2005 08:29pm | #3

   I would make the desk full size. Kids grow quickly and are used to using full size tables. When she is older and still using the desk her daddy made for her, the memories of using the desk will make up for the two to three years that the desk is too small for her now.

1. 
   dkellner | Oct 30, 2005 03:32am | #7

   I agree, I am making a desk for my 10 year old son and I am making it regular adult size. We got a cute little mini desk for his younger brother and within a year, he doesn't really fit it.

   As for design, I am basing it on the Gustav Stickly 2 drawer desk with a pidgeon hole unit on top and a few of my own modifications. I like the proportions a lot.