The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Work bench depth

My question is, how deep a bench do you guys use? What works well? I set up a 36 inch bench and tried reaching to touch the wall and it was too far. 30 inches even seems a little far, (I am a shrimp at 5'-10" but I don't want the bench to be too small to wrestle with stuff on - what works for you? I will be taking the sawsall to some surplus 36" deep pallet rack uprights on Sunday to make work bench frames out of - wondering what you guys have for bench depths.

I would be interested in what you guys think the ideal working height is too relative to how tall you are.

thanks,

Ken

I'm 6'2" and a 36" hight is comfortable standing or sitting on a stool.25" depth is a comfortable reach but find its often not deep enough when working on most things.I've gotten to where i prefer a movable bench so I can access all sides when in use and stow away when not.

I have 3 metal benches two on wheels.34`` high34`` deep and 72`` long.(I`m 5`8 or less,I think I am getting shorter)

If the bench is too shallow, there won't be enough room to shove junk out of the way to make room for more junk. If the bench is too deep ,you can use a hook to retrieve it. But no matter, mine are always messy, like these in the cellar........ Situation normal ...... electric tool storage

Ken, I saw a workbench in an old auto garage that was pretty low but seemed to work well. It was only 26 or 28 inches high and about 2 ft deep. Being so low allowed the mechanic to work on bulky jobs at a comfortable height at the bench. Smaller work was held in a huge vise on the bench that was so big it held the smaller work at a good working height. The lower bench height allowed big jobs to be put there without having to strain too much. I guess all this, for you, depends on what you'll be using the bench to work on mostly. Another thing this fellow had, which I thought was nice, was a big cabinet with glass in the front doors, to store micrometers and other precision devices, to help keep them clean.

Tony,

After seeing your benches, I feel better about life. Is that drill press made in China?

Ken,
Don't forget to engineer in the trap door. You know, for the crap that accumulates on the work bench that has no apparent "home". After sitting there taking up space for 6 months, just hit the dump lever.

How many of you have the tendancy to say "this widget is too good to throw away" yet won't take the time to find as place for it so it gets tossed in the clutter?????

You know who you are!! Nyuck Nyuck!

Ok, I've been caught with Chinese tools. Not only the cheap drill press but the 18 volt Ryobi cordless drill is made in China. Hey, they were gifts, I can't throw them out, right?

Its sometimes called A 'Lucky bucket' or the 'lucky pile'.

Just look at kitchen counters, about 36" high, and about 24" or 25" with top on it. I have made 36" deep and can't reach stuff on peghoards behind it, now have a 24" deep one. Can get more "bench" out of 3/4 plywood sheet that way too. My brother with a "bad back" always like his a little higher, but I couldn't work with stuff as high as he liked. I myself want a roll-around bench too. I finally got a homemade one from father in law that has wheels, but it gets clogged up as fast as my stationary one and becomes less useful. I was trying to keep it for my "current" project, when I realized ALL my projects are "current" at the same time!
No one bench is good for all things you want to do. That's why you need more then one, many more, all around garage, then soon you'll have no parking space for the projects! That's where I'm at now. Da** table saw takes up a big hunk now after I assembled it again to use. It's been torn down some in corner rusting, but was STILL in way all the time even then. Then, how about engines on stands, one in running rack, sandblast cab, parts washer, and halogen lights on stands and ....and.....get it?
What's the question? Got lost in my rant.... :rolleyes:

OK, I am going to cut the frames to 24 inches deep, height is adjustable in 2 inch increments so I dont have to figure that out right now. The top will be tow layers of mdf screwed together 30 inches deep. No trap doors - I'll just live with the clutter. My nick name is LIL Ken on jobsites . . . short for "Leave it Lay Ken" Once the tool chest is empty, I know its time to start cleaning up. Time to find that sawsall!

Hey Tony, Kudos on the gonads enough to post pics of your workbench. That is like every man's sanctuary. (Very Private) I think we should start a new thread on the topic. (With Pics) Awesome bench. I'm Only 5'-9" and I have a workbench that's 39" high. It's all about comfort. I built a set of cabinets for my folks and they loved it at 39". 36" is typical, but I think it was just standard. Everyone just accepted the standard. Ken, Make your bench what ever is comfortable for You!

I saw a nice work bench once that has hidden compartments under the top.. It had hidden pins for rear hinges and a pin to lock the top down. Very useful for hiding pistols, ammo and such..or your playboy magazines.

I'm about the same height as you. When I built mine I just faced the wall streched out my arm and put my hand flat on the wall then measured the distance. I can reache every thing on the wall. As for my other bench in the middle of the room I built it 4x8ft the sameheight as my table saw The saw is made into the corner of this bench so I can cut large pieces.