Guest MJG Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 About to install a workbench in my shed in order to be able to work on components removed from my Series. Was just considering what people think would be the best height. It will be used to mount a vice, pillar drill and a small bench grinder. Was just to go for the same heigh as the units in the kitchen..... any advice apreciated. Oh and what do folks think is the best material to cover the top in???? I thought sheet stainless steel but I would think that would be expensive and I have no idea where I wold source something like that either... Thoughts on that too please... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 My bench is 36" - I can stand at it and work, or sit on a tall stool. If you are going to regularly beat the carp out of the top of the bench, then a sheet of steel or a replaceable layer of ply would be a good idea. Maybe grease the underside to stop it from rusting away if you use steel, and occasionally wipe the top surface with WD40 to prevent the same. If you are going to fit a vice, then a spreader plate underneath is wise as bolts through wood come loose in the end. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MJG Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 My bench is 36" - I can stand at it and work, or sit on a tall stool. If you are going to regularly beat the carp out of the top of the bench, then a sheet of steel or a replaceable layer of ply would be a good idea. Maybe grease the underside to stop it from rusting away if you use steel, and occasionally wipe the top surface with WD40 to prevent the same.If you are going to fit a vice, then a spreader plate underneath is wise as bolts through wood come loose in the end. Les. Cheers Les - 36" is actually a bit taller than our kitchen units but looking at it now I see that would probably be a good height. The same height as the kitchen units is going to be a bit low. I guess kitchen units are at a height to siut the avg. height of the gender that are nornally quite rightly lashed to them :ph34r: Only joking ladies, but I guess there is some logic in that somewhere. Like the replacable ply top idea, hadn't thought of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmatt Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Mine is 39'' tall but I'm a lanky bugger! my bench is constructed of 6''x2'' timber and 1'' thick ply with a 3mm stainless steel sheet over the top! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landrover598 Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 The top of the vice should be a couple of inches below your elbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 The top of the vice should be a couple of inches below your elbow What if you are a blind, armless midget who has a head for heights? Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbarton Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 What if you are a blind, armless midget who has a head for heights? Les You repair Landrovers in Swindon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 The ideal bench height is approx height of your hips if you are standing at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2hotdog Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 I think you will find just above c**k hight is about right........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeagent Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 try somwhere around 900mm.. Kitchen worktops should be around 910mm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast5680 Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 alternatively use the kitchen worktop although its maybe best to check the wife,s out first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nas90 Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Optimum height with your arm bent at right angles your elbow should rest on the top of your vice jaws when you are standing upright. In Engineering this has always been the standard height, it is optimum for filing and hacksawing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Wot he said ^^^^^^^^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 The top of the vice should be a couple of inches below your elbow What he said /\ /\. In my case that puts the benchtop considerably lower than 36" (about 32") but I am altitudinally challenged to the tune of 5'6" My actual bench is an amazing piece of early sixties office furniture with a 30mm box section frame, excellent HD slidy drawers and a 30mm high-density-melamine-coated-chipboard kinda top. I always intended to cover it with a sacrificial layer of ply, but never got around to it and so far it is lasting well. TS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdixon7 Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Hi A good idea is to think what units you might want to fit under the bench. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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