Bench Height?

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wcwhitey

wcwhitey

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My bench is 36”. I am 6’2”. I have an adjustable stool with backrest but getting quite a bit of soreness in the colder weather. Thinking about trying 40”. Anyone found the ideal height for seated. Press is RCBS Rock Chucker. Thanks, Bill
 
I am 6' 1" and change, and have never been perfectly comfortable at the bench regardless of height.

For a while I had a bench ("Husky" brand, IIRC) which was adjustable from between about 26" to 42" (also IIRC). I spent more time adjusting the thing than reloading on it, and I have absolutely no recollection of where it went. Since then I just sit until my neck hurts, then stand until my feet hurt, rinse and repeat.
 
My reloading bench is 36-inches with the press mounted on a 4-inch Inline Fabrication riser. I am pretty comfortable on a 27.5-inch stool with the press at this height. I am 5'9". Check out Inline Fabrication for options to raise up the press.
 
wcwhitey said:
My bench is 36”. I am 6’2”. I have an adjustable stool with backrest but getting quite a bit of soreness in the colder weather. Thinking about trying 40”. Anyone found the ideal height for seated. Press is RCBS Rock Chucker. Thanks, Bill
Click to expand...

Play around with the height until you can drop your arm without tilting your shoulder to one side, that will reduce kneck and back pain tremendously. I'd also get a mount for it....that will bring it closer to you from the bench, and alleviate some of the forward reach, which will also reduce discomfort. A padded stress reducing mat helps too, if you stand.
 
I set in a chair. I have my bench at around 32". I'm 6'5". I just hem up on the press, with it to my right, and it works pretty good for me. I prefer my lubesizer on the left, so I have a work area directly in front if me.
 
.38 Special said:
I am 6' 1" and change, and have never been perfectly comfortable at the bench regardless of height.

For a while I had a bench ("Husky" brand, IIRC) which was adjustable from between about 26" to 42" (also IIRC). I spent more time adjusting the thing than reloading on it, and I have absolutely no recollection of where it went. Since then I just sit until my neck hurts, then stand until my feet hurt, rinse and repeat.
Click to expand...
I’m using a Dillon 550 on a Dillon Husky 62” adjustable work table

I really like the Husky work benches and tables. Very sturdy!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-62-in-Adjustable-Height-Work-Bench-Table-HOLT62XDB12/301810799
 
AJC1 said:
My rolling table is counter height, which is like 42" I believe. At 6'4" higher helps a lot.
Click to expand...
Funny but you don't look 6'4" in your avatar picture. ;):rofl:

Way back in the day when I lived in an apartment with an extra room for my reloading I used kitchen counter tops a buddy who worked construction pulled out of a restaurant remodel. They were 48" high and made of stainless steel framing with aluminum tops. I replaced the tops with butcher block (from the same remodel) for stability. Best reloading setup ever - except for the bar stools which are the ultimate in portability. I highly recommend the tallest cabinet you can find if you're over 6'. My stools are 42" and I sit in an office chair that's adjustable so I can go from slightly reclined to sitting up in a second. A good chair is hard to replace.
 
It all depends. On your height. On the bench height. I have several benches for reloading (a couple are drill press tables) and they all require different height stools (of which I have several). This comes down to personal trial and error.
 
A chair is not a factor in my loading, and that adds another element. As sexist as it may be, counters were designed with women in mind for easy effective work flow, based on average height. You may be most comfortable at height above standard. Washing dishes by hand as a kid sucked, as I was bent over.
 
A standing workbench height should be at the same height as your wrist from the floor, as you stand straight and flex your hand. Have someone measure from that crease in the inside of your arm above your hand to the floor, and you may be surprised. I'm 6'7" and I finally built a workbench in my garage at the appropriate height. It's 39.5 off the floor. As I was building it I thought it was way too high. When I was done, I was certain it was too high. I love it. No more aching back.

However, a reloading work surface, especially when seated, is a very different thing. Mine are at 36" and 35", and that's just about perfect. But that was with a lot of trial and error.

Edited with correct height.
 
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AJC1, that's awesome. I think with reloading it's necessary to bring the work up where you can see it, handle the pieces easily and not strain or hunch over.
 
Zahn said:
A standing workbench height should be at the same height as your wrist from the floor, as you stand straight and flex your hand. Have someone measure from that crease in the inside of your arm above your hand to the floor, and you may be surprised. I'm 6'7" and I finally built a workbench in my garage at the appropriate height. It's 38" off the floor. As I was building it I thought it was way too high. When I was done, I was certain it was too high. I love it. No more aching back.

However, a reloading work surface, especially when seated, is a very different thing. Mine are at 36" and 35", and that's just about perfect. But that was with a lot of trial and error.
Click to expand...

That’s interesting. Thanks. I am going to try this out.
 
My old bench was 36”. My new one is 32” I may use some inline fabrication risers, not sure yet. May also weld up my own risers where I could quickly swap from one press to another. My space is small and I don’t have room for all 3 presses to be mounted and reasonably usable. The Ponsness Warren duomatic is the fly in the ointment because I want it mounted but nothing will interchange so it would be custom bases for a custom quick swap setup.
 
Raised it to 42”, knees fit under the worktop sitting no reaching. Made it a bit long so lowering not a problem. Sat for a few, no reaching for press, seems good. I always stand throwing powder seems natural. image.jpg

If I like it or have to adjust it more it will be a template for a new build.
 
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I'm 5'10". Bench height is 37". Chair seat is around 29". (It rises up on its own when not in use)

I sometimes stand for short things, but almost always sit in the high back chair. I adjust it so my knees just do fit under the LNL.
Reloading Bench Height (With Inches) - 8-2013.JPG
 
wcwhitey said:
My bench is 36”. I am 6’2”. I have an adjustable stool with backrest but getting quite a bit of soreness in the colder weather. Thinking about trying 40”. Anyone found the ideal height for seated. Press is RCBS Rock Chucker. Thanks, Bill
Click to expand...

Put some heat in you reloading area. As we got older it's more comfortable. Cold makes the old bones hurt.
 
36” here I have Northern tool chairs but don’t use the with my RCBS RC or my Hornady lnl..height works fine I’m 5 7”. :)

Thewelshm
 
wcwhitey said:
My bench is 36”. I am 6’2”. I have an adjustable stool with backrest but getting quite a bit of soreness in the colder weather. Thinking about trying 40”. Anyone found the ideal height for seated. Press is RCBS Rock Chucker. Thanks, Bill
Click to expand...
"Thinking about trying 40" "
You might consider making a simple box "test riser" out of wood (2x6 or 2x8) before mod.'ing your bench.
Make several and try them to find the ideal height.
I'm thinking these risers could be clamped to your existing bench for testing/loading.
Here a pic of a riser I made, it's under my drill press though :uhoh:
WoodenRiser.JPG
IMG_1132.JPG
That riser is deeper than it needs to be for a press and could be just a single 2x8/2x8 box.
:thumbup:
.
 
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