Replies

1. 
   BG | Apr 19, 2005 12:40am | #1

   Bioman,
   When I lived out in Indiana I came in contact with people from one of the State departments (Ind. Hygiene, Public Health, etc.) that had put together a rather impressive list and video tape showing things to avoid in the workplace. (whew, long sentance)Anyhow, I'm sure every state probably has something to offer.
   I made one of those mini-workbenches that was on the home page here and in FWW a coupleof months ago. Mine is about 10" high and functions on top of the regular workbench...it works great...helps the eyes too.

    

2. 
   tms | Apr 19, 2005 02:15am | #2

   Hey Bioman,

   The table height of my 16" band saw is great for resawing, but murder for any detail work . The easy fix for me was to buy an air spring adjustable drafting chair. It took just a little while to get used to working at the bandsaw while seated, and the relief was instantaneous.

   Since then, I have found many other places where the adjustable chair has helped out. Even when I wouldn't normally work seated, I find that the adjustable feature of the chair means that I can get a more stable and accurate base, at what every height is needed, and that I even have less eyestrain.

   Tom

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 19, 2005 04:45am | #3

   I think the height of tools is a major culprit in back and neck discomfort.  I, too, need a higher workbench, especially for close-up work, drawing, etc.  Recently, I made a "riser" for a template-router project I'm working on.  I plan to raise the height of my planer by probably 12".  When I get around to building a real base for the Veritas router table top, it will be quite a bit higher than it is now.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   AlanMikkelsen | Apr 19, 2005 07:34pm | #4

   My workbench, table saw, disc/spindle sander, glue up table, planer table, are all 38" high.  I have to usually add 4-5 inches to most machines to get the height I need. Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934,  Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT

1. 
   bones1 | Apr 20, 2005 11:22am | #6

   Alan.I wonder, how tall are you to enjoy a 38" work surface? I'm 6'1" and use a 36 inch bench. Am making new classic type bench. Can't think of anything I do that requires a lot of top pressure which would benefit from a lower bench.Bones

1. 
   AlanMikkelsen | Apr 20, 2005 05:28pm | #7

   Well, I used to be 6'2", but I'm starting to shrink!  38"  is very comfortable for me.Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934,  Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT

4. 
   WayneL5 | Apr 20, 2005 02:35am | #5

   One thing good for the back is to put one foot up on something.  Switch feet occasionally.  Putting one foot up alters the curvature of the spine to put less stress on it.  That also makes it more comfortable, which is why bars have foot rails -- it allows customers to stand there longer.

   The basic principle for making your workplace less stressful on your body is to avoid working in positions that take your body far from neutral position.  So little bending, reaching, streching, and so forth.  Keep work close to the body and at a height where you aren't bending much.

   Good lighting can help.  Sometimes poor lighting or shadows cause you to twist into an unnatural posture in order to see what you are doing.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 22, 2005 11:33pm | #8

   One thing good for the back is to put one foot up on something!

   Ya bet! Can I say this in the wood chat?

1. 
   wmchurch | Aug 15, 2005 07:38pm | #9

   I know this is an old thread, but I've always read the the proper height for a work surface is the height of your hip when you're standing straight. For me, that measurement seems to be 42" which seems a bit high (I'm 6'4"). I've just started looking into this recently and will adjust my saw horses to see if that feels better (currently they are way low, like 30").

   I'm in the process of re designing my home shop, and intend to make my cabinets, saws, and accessories all at the same height. Anyone have anything new on this subject?

   Thanks,

   Bill

1. 
   ram | Aug 15, 2005 07:50pm | #10

   I think it's a bit more complex than that. I read a good article some years ago (don't remember where) that explained there are height "zones" -- low is the power zone, high is the control zone, mid zone in between is a compromise. The middle zone for most people is centered about at the little finger knuckle. The lower and upper zones are about 2-3" or so inches below and above, respectively. This makes a lot of sense to me.

   If I recall correctly, the author recommended table saw in the power zone, band saw and router table in the control zone, and workbenches in whatever zone best suited to the kind of work: power for surfacing and jointing long boards, control for fine detail work, mid for combination use.

   Just my $.02 -robert

1. 
   wmchurch | Aug 15, 2005 08:01pm | #11

   Good info, and it does make sense. Thanks!

   -Bill

2. 
   ram | Aug 15, 2005 08:15pm | #12

   Yr most welcome!

   I forgot to add, with all my stuff crammed into one bay of a three car garage, I  make everything about 1/8"-3/16" lower than my table saw, for infeed/outfeed purposes. My TS is higher than optimum -- resting on a piece of 3/4" ply to improve dust collection plus a mobile base. Works out to just under 35.

   Someday when I force myself to take the time to set up my barn shop, then I'll have plenty of space for fine tuned work surfaces, and a whole lot of "one height fits all" stuff ... lol.

   -robert

3. 
   wmchurch | Aug 15, 2005 08:42pm | #13

   Well, right now I'm working with a 1 car garage (if that). Total dimensions are 17' x 11' usable floor space (rest is reserved for washer / dryer etc...

   I'm building a shed roof utility area for my yard tools so that 17x11 is all mine, not much to work with.

   Going to make everything mobile, even my workbench (need some good locking casters for that). I like the idea of everthing being the same height for the reasons you mentioned, less 1/8"-1/16" is a good idea too. Figured this would be nice for the chopsaw as well, drill press is another matter unfortunatly, as you can't really make the table height static, and have a usable drill press. Though I don't see it being an issue as it's not often you have large peices on the press like that, maybe some long peices if drilling for shelving pins or something like that.

   Anyway, think I'll start a thread about small shops, if there's not one already. I have a huge driveway too, about 18'w x 40'l so I can overflow out there on sunny days (Saint Petersburg, Fl)

   -Bill