Here are the standard heights for woodworking machines from
"Humanscale 1/2/3"
46 inch = bandsaw table
42 inch = lathe centers
39 inch = radial arm saw table
36 inch = circular saw table (hand feed)
36 inch = workbench
36 inch = sander table
36 inch = shaper table
33 inch = jointer
32 inch = circular saw table (power feed)
24 inch = stool or chair for 36 inch work surface
No mention of a thinkness planer. I have mine at 30 inch but find
myself bending over. I would try 33 inch, like the jointer, if
building another stand.
These standard heights were developed over time to match the Average
american male who was 68.8 inches tall in 1973 when Humanscale was
published. My apologies to all female woodworkers who have been
ignored in the development of so many workplace standards - but read
on. I notice that almost every woodworking machine is lower than the
above standards, and even seem to be lower than they were 20 years
ago. For example my old Rockwell table saw is 35 inches but a new
Delta table saw is only 32 inches. This gives great flexibility for
those who are shorter than 68.8 inch (male or female) but most folks
will want to raise their machines for optimum ergonomics. I have
raised my equipment to the standard heights published in "Humanscale"
by adding casters. That is still a little low because I am about 70
inches tall, but I am shrinking with age so it should be about perfect
just before I expire.
Suggestion for calculating your ideal equipment height"
Ideal Height = Standard Height x your height / 68.8
This method is based on the assumption that our bodies are
proportioned to our height - ie short people have shorter arms and
legs, tall people have long ones. This is usually true.
Link to "Humanscale" on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0262040425/qid=1062463407/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/103-6224311-8837461?v=glance&s=books
Hope this helps someone
Steven-Woodward
In article <[email protected]>, Steven
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Here are the standard heights for woodworking machines from
> "Humanscale 1/2/3"
>
> 46 inch = bandsaw table
That would be for a bandsaw where scrollwork is being done, presumably.
I don't think you'd want to re-saw at that height.
> 36 inch = circular saw table (hand feed)
> 36 inch = workbench
These sound right to me, plus you can use the workbench for outfeed.
My Ryobi BT3100 table is almost 39 inches, which feel awkward to me.
When I build a new stand for it, I'll lower it to 36-1/2 inches
(allowing for some sag between the TS and the table).
> No mention of a thinkness planer. I have mine at 30 inch but find
> myself bending over. I would try 33 inch, like the jointer, if
> building another stand.
Here's my idea: the bigger and thicker the stock, the lower the tool.
The finer the detail, the closer to your face you want it. It's
unfortunate that big re-saw bandsaws have too-high tables,
necessitating a pit. Hmmm, how about a horizontal bandsaw for that?
Kevin
Try a Google search for "human factors" AND handbook:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22human+engineering%22+handbook
Those are among the engineering buzzwords that will flush out this kind of
information.
David Merrill
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks ... I've seen the questions asked numerous times, and always
answered
> with nebulous, non-answers. When I was first putting together my current
> shop, I could not find this particular information anywhere. I, rightly as
> it turns out, figured someone had quantified the information somewhere.
>
Steven wrote:
> Here are the standard heights for woodworking machines from
> "Humanscale 1/2/3"
>
> 46 inch = bandsaw table
> 42 inch = lathe centers
> 39 inch = radial arm saw table
> 36 inch = circular saw table (hand feed)
> 36 inch = workbench
> 36 inch = sander table
> 36 inch = shaper table
> 33 inch = jointer
> 32 inch = circular saw table (power feed)
> 24 inch = stool or chair for 36 inch work surface
>
> ..............
> Suggestion for calculating your ideal equipment height"
>
> Ideal Height = Standard Height x your height / 68.8
>
> This method is based on the assumption that our bodies are
> proportioned to our height - ie short people have shorter arms and
> legs, tall people have long ones. This is usually true.
>
> Link to "Humanscale" on Amazon
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0262040425/qid=1062463407/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/103-6224311-8837461?v=glance&s=books
>
> Hope this helps someone
>
> Steven-Woodward
>
Too bad there isn't more information like that floating
around for free. When I ratio those values to reflect my 3
inches of extra height, most of them are right about where I
have ended up putting tools. The one exception is
workbench. I have settled on a 41 inch height. I mainly use
hand held power tools and do finishing and assembly on my
workbench. If I were doing a lot of heavy hand tool work,
the 37.6 from the list and formula would be better.
I have seen some rather humorous analysis of existing tools
where human factors engineers analyze a tool and determine
what size and shape the ideal operator would be. A common
one that is easy to find on the web is the metal working
lathe.
From:
http://www.ergonomics4schools.com/faq/ergonomics.htm
Inch conversions are mine, article was metric.
Some years ago, researchers compared the relative positions
of the controls on a metal working lathe with the size of an
average male worker. It was found that the lathe operator
would have to stoop and move from side to side to operate
the lathe controls. An ideal sized person to fit the lathe
would be just 4 ft 3 in tall, 24 in across the shoulders and
have an arm span of 94 inches!
Now that I re-read that, it reminds me of a couple of
machinists I have known :)
Rico
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Thanks ... I've seen the questions asked numerous times, and always answered
with nebulous, non-answers. When I was first putting together my current
shop, I could not find this particular information anywhere. I, rightly as
it turns out, figured someone had quantified the information somewhere.
Probably just hadn't been under JOAT's influence long enough. :)
While it is just a guide, the information, and particularly the ratio, could
come in handy.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 8/24/03
"Steven" wrote in message
> Here are the standard heights for woodworking machines from
> "Humanscale 1/2/3"