All of the books i have on turning say the center line of the spindle should be at elbow height.
What is the best height for a woodworking bench. Many hand tool woodworkers though prefer a bench 1 or 2 inches lower allowing more leverage for hand plane and chisel use. I ve learned to use it at that height and with my declining eyesight having the work a bit closer is a benefit for me. If you re average height between 5 9 and 6 0 that s usually a comfortable height. The standard height of 34 matches most tablesaw heights allowing the workbench to double as an outfeed support.
All this mass absorbs vibration and makes every cutting operation smoother. As you can see in the drawing at top left the planing bench comes up to wrist height while the joinery bench is at or just below elbow height. Height in inches. The depth of your workbench should ideally be no longer than your arm can reach across it.
The top is 4 thick. If you happen to be the type of woodworker that works with unusually large or wide pieces then you may want to add a few inches. Low 29 30 74cm 76cm makes a practical low workbench height for woodworking. This french style workbench weighs more than 325 pounds.
If you re building a new bench use these guidelines to determine how high to make it. Many hand tool woodworkers though prefer a bench 1 or 2 inches lower allowing more leverage for hand plane and chisel use. The standard height of 34 matches most tablesaw heights allowing the workbench to double as an outfeed support. In most cases that number falls around 24.
The legs are 5 square. Tall 38 39 97cm 99cm makes a practical tall workbench height. On most benches the working surface is somewhere between 33 and 36 high. 54 x 23 5 8 inches.
What is the best woodworking bench of may 2020. My lathe sits on top of my 39 high workbench and the center line is at about 47 from the floor. The saw bench for coarse ripping and crosscutting comes to knee height more on this bench later.