Jeweler's Bench Height

You are now leaving Etsy.com

You are going to the following link:

Security reminder: Do not give out your Etsy username or password to anyone.

Report a post

Thank you for taking time to help Etsy! Please note that you will not receive a personal response about this report. We will review this post privately...

Why are you reporting this post?

Thread is in the wrong section of the forums.
Post discusses private matters (transaction details, feedback, copying, etc).
Post is abusive or insulting to another member.
Post discusses a specific item, shop or member in a negative way.
Post is from an alternate or "sock puppet" account.
Post is an unsolicited promotion, advertisement, or spam.

Any additional comments?

What is this?

Admin may choose to highlight awesome community posts that are friendly, answer questions, and offer informative links.

What does it do?

Highlighted posts are placed at the top of each page in a thread for greater visibility.

This thread has been closed and archived.

This discussion is public.

Original Post

Adornedbymorgan says

What's an ideal height? I frequently read/hear that the bench should put you at eye level with your work (for sawing/metalsmithing purposes), but this has me picturing some rather tall desks! I just can't imagine that the mental impression I'm getting is what this requirement should translate to in reality.

Does anyone have photos to share for inspiration? Thanks so much!

Posted at 4:29pm Feb 1, 2010 EST

Responses

orestruck says

Maybe the question should be "what height the seat"!
My bench is basically an old kitchen - cupboards, worksurfaces etc. I have a low seat to use when I am sawing at my peg and a higher stool for an overview of my work....

Posted at 4:31pm Feb 1, 2010 EST

Adornedbymorgan says

Well, that's certainly puts a new spin on things! So, most bench workers are just switching chairs/chair heights?

Would that mean there's really no "set" height for a table?

Thank you:)

Posted at 5:49pm Feb 1, 2010 EST

AmyNicoles says

that's pretty much what I do. My instructor says that jewelers benches aren't necessary.

Posted at 5:55pm Feb 1, 2010 EST

StudioDax says

For me, the height I like is so that when I stand, the bench is slightly lower than where my elbow naturally bends... this just makes it very comfortable for me to work at.

Posted at 6:24pm Feb 1, 2010 EST

dragonwerxjewelry says

Jewelers' benches are rather tall. I use an old-but-still-excellent office chair with rollers and a hydraulic height adjustment. Great for my back, I can move around easily (looking for that dang dropped stone!), and change my height at a touch. When I'm soldering I'm at eye level, when I use the saw I'm somewhat above the work to give my elbow room to move.

Yes, the chair is much more important than the bench. I've used a regular folding table before, and did good work. But once I started using a professional bench there was no going back.

Posted at 6:32pm Feb 1, 2010 EST

Lapidarious says

I would search ganoksin/orchid archives. There IS a preferred height for good anatomical strain free work, and the typical height for the top of the upper level is just below chin height when seated straight backed, according to the old masters I got a lot of my info from. While it may not be necessary, per se, it makes long hours at the bench a heck of a lot easier. And makes sawing a whole lot lore efficient, as well as soldering.

Posted at 6:36pm Feb 1, 2010 EST