Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 13, 2010 12:02pm | #1

   "The top of my workbench is 34" off the floor. Is that the wrong height?" Totally depends on what you're comfortable with -- how tall you are, what kind of work you (predominantly) do at the bench, etc. Maybe even how old you are ;-) I use the taller counter in my shop for drawing and figuring, due to age and ailing back -- no stooping over for me or it's a bad, bad day. Sounds like your bench might be a little low for you.

   The stool -- IMHO, swivel would be good, as long as it doesn't interfere with whatever you're doing. A backrest would enable you to lean back and relax occasionallly. Footrests are nice, but might get in the way -- a rung might serve just as well. Make the seat comfortable for your behind -- not too narrow, come concavity if it's not padded. Polonged pressure on your seat bones can upset the hip joint and/or the sacroiliac joint. Deep enough from front to back to accomodate your behind.

1. 
   bduffin104 | Feb 13, 2010 12:16pm | #2

   Thanks FG. That's exactly why
   Thanks FG. That's exactly why I built a Prototype workbench before I invested in a bunch of expensive wood, I want to refine the design first. I'm 5' 11". The workbench may be too short. I'm building a prototype stool this morning but I came in to see if anybody had some suggestions. I'll let you know how the experiment goes.

2. 
   JoeRo | Feb 13, 2010 03:15pm | #3

   I don't know how tall you are
   I don't know how tall you are but I can tell you what works for me. I am 5' 8" tall with a 72 year old back. I use a 32" workbench and a 24" stool. I also use a back support belt like the workers at the big box stores use if my back gets to hurting. The belt really helps. Maybe you can adjust these figures to your height. Sitting at this computer for more than 30 minutes hurts worse. Forest Girl appears too young to have an aging back. Does't she?

3. 
   swenson | Feb 15, 2010 10:35am | #4

   I have been meaning to build a shop stool for over 20 years and never got around to it. A few months ago I bought a SnapOn stool made for auto shop mechanics and it is perfect for my shop. I'm not sure I could have built in so many adjustments in a homemade stool and I change them quite often depending on what I am doing and which bench I am sitting at. I got mine at PriceClub/Costco and they are made by the company that trucks tools around to shops to sell to auto mechanics. Just my 2 cents, I have no connection with the company.

4. 
   RalphBarker | Feb 15, 2010 11:13am | #5

   As FG and others have said, the ideal bench height is a matter of your physical height and what you do at the bench. I use an old wooden desk as my bench, since I do a lot of stuff sitting down (old adjustable "secretarial" chair with good back support). One of the FWW contributors built an auxiliary clamp-on mini-bench to add height to a low bench similar to a desk.

   The ideal stool would be made of form-fitting steamed wood components (think Eames chairs) with a bit of padding, have adjustable lumbar support, and be supported by an anti-gravitation unit with a bluetooth neural connection for height and position control. (That eliminates the problem of the stool rolling when it's not supposed to.) ;-)

5. 
   bduffin104 | Feb 15, 2010 01:50pm | #6

   Thanks for the input. I built a prototype stool out of plywood. I must say it's quite ugly and uncomfortable. At this point I know what not to build. I'll keep you posted.