If you’re planning on constructing a woodworking workbench for yourself, then it pays to give it some serious thought first. A right-sized workbench height does indeed actually exist unless you do exactly one single activity all the time; the best height however changes according to the actual what you’re doing, the tools you use and also the size & shape of the work piece. Let’s look at a few examples here starting with bench top plans for the common projects. The round wood table is an extremely popular choice. It can be used for dining, coffee tables or even a serving tray. However, if you’re not going to end up using that particular round wood workbench plan with any regularity, a far better option is a square or octagonal woodworking bench.
The reason why they are so useful for woodworking is because they can fit into a huge range of standard worktop plans that might not necessarily have been thought of earlier. Square and octagonal benches are especially nice as they allow you to incorporate a mortise join in one of the legs which otherwise would disrupt the symmetry of the piece. In fact, you can make your own mortises and join them into the bench top plans too. Just be sure you don’t cheat yourself!
You can of course go for the standard rectangular woodworking benches which are widely used throughout the industry. These can of course be obtained ready-made from most woodworking supply stores or you can make your own from plans too. There are many available designs too, ranging from the usual simple rectangular woodwork design to more complicated designs such as octagons and pyramids. These are particularly popular with Amish craftsmen. But the octagons and pyramids are particularly suited to making workbenches as there are plenty of flat spot left over once you have cut the wood for these.
If you want a benchtop that is relatively easy to assemble then you will want a bench that has a six’ 0 angle. This means that the work will sit level at all times, but also means that you will be able to adjust the wood precisely enough to suit your requirements. In order to do this you need to buy a woodworking bench that has enough timber for the required depth of the bench top. The six’ 0 angle is measured from one end of the bench top to the opposite end. So if the bench top ends at six feet it would be the ideal height.
Most workbenches consist of a four’ plywood panel that runs from the edge of the table top to the ground. Other than this you have plenty of wood in the workshop to build a variety of additional pieces for the workbench. You can cut all manner of wood to the required shape. There is no limit to the size or shape of workbenches you can build. The only limit is your imagination!
There are also many different benches available. Some are designed to sit closer to the ground while others are designed so that the top of the bench is almost upright. There are also benches that have legs that can be raised to provide support for a wide armchair work or other tasks. If you want something that is closer to the floor then try a portable bench height.
Work benches are particularly useful for precision work as the height ensures accuracy. Without the correct bench height you can have a bench top that won’t support your wrist or shoulders and result in poor posture. As the bench top is at the level of the work surface, it is important that the legs of the bench are set close enough together that the distance between the floor and the top of the bench legs is less than the distance between the ground and top of the bench.
In addition to providing support for your body it is also important that the worktop surface is secure. It’s tempting to place heavy objects on the worktop but you should avoid doing this if you don’t have the right tools for the job. The most important factor for good workholding is being comfortable in your working position. The proper workbench height will ensure that you keep your body in the correct working posture throughout the project. And that is the key to successful woodworking.