Optimal bench height for standing work

[glassdocnc]

Ok, so I read all the interesting comments http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25817&page=3
but still have a question.

I'm putting in a new bench but haven't quite decided on optimal height. Any input would be appreciated.

[skip]

Belly button

[LifeGlass]

I love my torch at sternum level, as far as bench height though, that just depends on your reach..... probably like belly level for the bench top. Have the torch on a block or hollow piece of Aluminum mounted to the bench unless you hand torch with it...I keep the hollow of aluminum with my cleaner brush and other little items

[Conchis]

My "bench" is one of those carts that you put tools on. It's metal and the height adjusts up and down, you can make it any height you want in about 5 minutes...

[p.j.]

my bench is 42" and i have a tall chair that lets me sit and stand at about the same level. then when i get bored or do major prep i can sit.

[nodice]

It's probably better to get a bench which is lower then you want and lift the torch up a bit then have a bench that's too high.....

[Mike_Aurelius]

Set the bench at some mid point, then use a secretary chair with a height adjuster to get the exact right height. This becomes even more important if you ever teach or have someone else using the bench.

[brettodie]

the closer you can get your work to eye level the better it is for your neck and shoulders. so its going to depend on who the bench is intended for. if your going to have a communal bench best thing to do is have and adjustable stand that allows vertical movement. such as a old school scissor style car jacks with the little spinner crank up. real cheap at the local junk yard. peace brett

[jr23]

^^^^ I am collecting junk all the time. I have saved a few scissor jacks. I would like to mount a plate on it and then find a low speed motor with forward and reverse. That way I could rig a pedal up and just adjust my torch up and down with ease.

Have you seen the blastshield one looks like it moves side to side.

[canaan]

follow the suggestions above as guidelines. Bench height really depends on you.

Being among the vertically challenged - I built my bench to stand at 38 inches. This allows me to stand, which puts my torches about even with my midsection, or sit using a drafting chair. secretarial chairs are just a bit too short. I mostly stand, and usually only sit when doing light prep work anyway.

I would suggest finding the most comfortable torch height for the way you work the most (sit or stand) and then build your bench around that.

[szglassy]

I just got an adjustable torch stand from BLASTSHEILD.

Let me tell you something...............THIS THING ROCKS!!:bouncy::bouncy:

The height really does not matter anymore .

I adjust it higher when I'm standing and making heavier pieces and then set it lower for smaller items so I can rest my elbows on my bench.

That along with an adjustable drafting chair.................it's like glassblowing on a lazyboy!!

That along with the Blastsheild is the best thing I could have ever done for my workspace!!

Not to mention I dont have anymore upper back spasams due to improper allignment!!!

[The Glass Fish]

I use a 3' by 5' office table as my bench. It is exactly the same size as a sheet of hardibacker. I built a pedestal to hold up the torch to chest height. I like that the bench is at waist height I feel like I can reach stuff better and my tools don't get as hot sitting there. Also I have and extended reach under the flame which opens up additional angles to apply heat to my piece. If I want to sit, I just remove the pedestal and sit in an office chair. Kinda nice, really.

[Snurf]

I'm tall so i like my bench high...... gotta try that blastsheild for summer

[slave]

Whatever your elbow height is IMO. Having to bend over all day to plant your elbows to do detailed stringer work or whenever you need to be super steady sucks if the bench height isn't high enough. I don't know how some people work. oh yea sloppy. :evilLaugh

[nodice]

.....having the torch a bit off the bench gives you more room to work if you ever point your torch down.

[Ro's Glass World]

I set it up so that when im standing the torch flame is the same height as my elbows. this way for most of my spinning my forearms are parallel with the ground. I use a wheeled chair that raises and lowers when i need to.
ro

[J Howard]

shut your eyes and hold your hands out in front of you, that should be the sweet spot of the flame= half way between the end of the flame and torch face. adjust your bench or put bricks under your torch to get it all in line, and your back will love you.

[somberbear]

.... i normaly just get stainless steel prep table. its a little high for sitting work , but i like drafting chairs. but when i work standing i like having a raiser for my torch ...

i like my standing work tables a little "low" as i have found having the free space to work around the torch and bring in tooling very handy. also you can always go higher on a low bench , but its hard to go lower on a high bench. also some one else might use your set up. and if its built for you it might be to high for them.

[Uriel]

I work layin down :D
What a few other peeps have said so my torch sits at my sternum height and I can lay my elbows on the bench.

[Swampy]

so long as the 'assistant' is able to crouch under the bench and handle my tackle, that's about right.

[Robert Mickelsen]

Belt high.

[sleepingpeople]

kim 6ft tal and my bench goes to my belt line. I have since added multiple cinder blocks

[Kevin Bumble]

To correct your posture^^^^^^^ not cuz the table was too low.


Mine is at my belt line and i love it. Sometimes I like my torch to be up more but it mostly sits on the table. We actually have a table that is a few inches (3 at most) taller and every one in the shop agrees that it is too tall.

[maui greenstone]

I suggest measuring off your elbow. make it 2 or three inches lower than your natural elbow hight, that way you can rest your elbows on the bench for more stability and stamina. Anything higher and you are forced to keep your elbows up, anything lower you have to slouch (sp?). For all day every day a bench slightly lower than elbow will help you out. if you are working big, I suggest also creating a stand alone station about 42" tall without a bench so you can get a full range of motion in front of your torch.

[Robert Mickelsen]

I voted for 36". But it obviously depends on how tall you are. I think a term like "belt-high" is actually a more accurate way of describing preference. For me, belt-high is 36".

- RAM

[nodice]

haha, you faked me out. thought this was a new thread.

[Tsnider]

jeff rogers torch stand on the blastshield. pricey but awesome. chest high standing or sitting, point in another direction, extend from bench. cant beat it