All this discussion of benches is great, and couldn’t be more
timely. I work at an old, beat-up oak office desk. It has some
advantages, the main one being that I already have it (got it free–
30+ years ago, during college). I want to build a platform to add a
second “layer” on it, to bring the surface up to proper working
height. So this cutout discussion is very relevant. Now-- how high
should it be? I’ve used a real bench only at two intensive
workshops, when my mind was really on other things. So, yeah, I can
make it any height I want, but I don’t know what I want. Thoughts?
Noel
Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a workbench for your jewelry projects? We recommend:
Hi Noel. I suggest you start with a good chair and set that height
first. Then adjust the bench height. GRS makes an adjustable height
bracket for the bench pin and Benchmate that has been great for me.
For more info check out this post on the archives
Bench height - Jewelry Discussion - Ganoksin Orchid Jewelry Forum Community for Jewelers and Metalsmiths (the post
should read 90 ‘degrees’ HTH, Kate Wolf in Portland, Maine-
offering quality workshops by the bay. http://www.katewolfdesigns.com
Hello Noel: I’m 6’4" and I raised my standard jewelers bench 7.5
inches higher than it’s normal manufactured height of approximately
38 inches. The best way I think (in my opinion) to determine what
height to make your bench is as follows.
Get the chair you use to work at the bench. Hopefully it is a decent
chair that is height adjustable and has lumbar support and a
comfortable seat. Sit down in it and adjust it’s height so that with
your feet flat on the floor your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Sit up straight and get someone to use a tape measure to measure the
distance from the floor too the top of your shoulder. Make the bench
top that height.
When I first started working at the bench I adjusted my chair lower
so I could get my legs under the bench and worked that way for too
long. I used one of those $20 adjustable chairs. I would have back
aches and tail bone aches. Slouching over a bench will cause bulging
disk problems also. Another tip for men is, don’t sit on your wallet
all day. Even if it’s thin cause you have no money it will cause you
to have back trouble down the road. Hope this helps.
Michael R. Mathews Sr. Victoria,Texas USA JACMBJ
My workbench is 34 inches high and the chair I use is 17 inches
high, since I got these measurements right I have not had a back
ache. Lloyd.
Seat height depends on YOUR hetght, actually the best posture is
obtained when you can lay your feet flat on the floor and your knees
make a right angle. As for the work bench it is better to make you
hunch the least possible. Remember that you have to work up close to
very small things for a long time so it is better that your work
bench be a little higher to make this a comfortable position to be
in for a long time. I could give you some measurements but actually
as I said before it should be differrent for each individual.
Julieta Odio Bernardi
Designer/Metalsmith
Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a workbench for your jewelry projects? We recommend: