Hi All

Just moved (Thats why I've been quiet) and now have a 12' * 16' workshop, all cleared and ready for kitting out.

My question is, how high should I put my work surfaces, standing height, sitting height or one of each.

I intend to have a 'dirty' area with vice, drill sander etc that I can stand at, but what about building?

I've spent my modelling life building where ever I could, and now at  last I have a dedicated space I dont know where to start.

Andy

Nice problem to have Andy.

You can always get tall bar-stool seats to sit at when working at higher workbenches. I use a computer type desk and get back ache when I've been hovering over it too long - and I'm tall so for me the higher the better......if I was starting from scratch.  

I did read once that the correct height for a workbench is approximately elbow height as the arms are bent in front of you. When I rebuilt my garage / workshop, I fitted both my main benches at this height, but wish I had now gone a lot higher. Why ? Well like David, I suffer from back pain but put this down to my deteriorating eyesight, which requires me to wear specs for "normal work" and different strength versions for close work. Now the nature of our hobby means a lot of close work, and I am constantly hunching over the work area, and soon feel the back pain. The B+D workmate is a real killer for me ( I am 6'2" ) and I have even extended the legs on it to help....but its still wrong.

I suppose I could always dig a trench and stand in it

If you can, locate the bench somewhere you work from both sides. Bending and stretching to the far side of the bench is a real killer on the back.

Timbo, how about a motor driven lead screw in each leg so you can zoom in and out? (only laughing because I'm 6'4" and have exactly the same problem!)

andy 12ft 16ft what i give for that space /i have a normal size garage the ones were u get the car in and squeeze yourself out the door not trying to scratch the car/so i give that up and leave the car on drive /my workbench somewere at bottom of garagegot to scramble over everthing to get there((( so ill just dream over the idea of 12ft 16 ft garage ))) oh by the way got carried away hight of workbenchs are 48 inches that suits me fine kev

Thanks all

I know its a good space, needs some damp proofing, but is insulated and secure.

A few things to think about, I like Timbos elbow height rule, and Robs view on being able to walk around it. I do have an old computer desk so I'm going to have that in a position where I can pull it out as required.

Some years ago, I ripped out an old shower and saved one of the glass sides (6mm toughened) during the move I found it so intend to use it as a flat top to build from, a but tough for pins though.

Off to B&Q.

Andy

One idea I'm tempted to try is to mount the building board at an angle, as you would a drawing board, so that you would be looking straight down on whatever you are working on from a standing or sitting position, instead of having to lean over it.