Benchwork Height

[Anonymous]

What should the benchwork height be
Is there a correct height for a HO layout

[CP5415]

The correct height for YOUR layout is the height where it's comfortable for you to work on.
Usually around chest height I believe.

Gordon

[roadrat]

It is a personal choice some like chest level , some like eye level , or sittiing down eye level.

bill

[ramoutandabout]

I asked this same questions a few months ago. we are planning a 11 x 9 table witha 9 x 4 yard , then a couple tracks around the recroom. ( i have two 8 year old boys ) so i was worried about height but we decided to go with 4'5" that way it will clear couch tv and all that .That way the room has more than one use. We are planning a building a couple steps for the boys, they are about 4' tall as of now.



ray

[Anonymous]

Whatever you are comfortable with I think. I put my table height at 36" and love it. I have a bar stool in my train room and when I sit at it by my control panel it is the perfect height for me.

Easy to work on and I like the birds eye view.

Most folks here seem to say sternum level I believe.

[Anonymous]

I'm 6'3" and my table is 48". It is nice as you use the trains but little high when you are doing scenery toward the center of the layout. I like the height especially when working on the edge. I guess i'll keep using step stools and spackle buckets to work the inside.

Don

[Anonymous]

I am 5'-9" and srinking,
I have my layout at 32" with the farest reach to be 32".
When I walk into the room, its like flying into the city where I want (and love) to be.
I can work on the under side of the layout laying down.
When sitting down at my bench or chair, I can see the whole layout with out any problem.
The height of your layout should be what YOU want, NOT what others think is best.
give it some thought, and build it to your wishes.
ennout

[rexhea]

I am 5'9" and my layout height is 52". I chose to view closer to the level of the trains than have the helicopter view. This height also helps when you have to get under the benchwork for wiring and etc. Not so many bumps on the head[:D]

REX

[dave9999]

If you have to duck under or access the bottom side of the layout a lot, you will
appreciate higher benchwork. I built a 36" high layout once and was kickng
myself the entire time. Since then, I made a decision never to go with less than
48". Over 50" is even better... for me anyway. Good luck, Dave

[selector]

Most modelers find that they prefer standing over sitting, and most find that the most pleasing views come from the same hieght as if you were standing on a small hillock just meters from the tracks...or near-eye-level.

All the other caveats should be heeded; particularly for those layouts where the reach is so problematic in places that a pop-up hatch is needed, and getting there requires stooping under the benchwork...hardly a pleasant chore as the back, hips, and knees age.

So, if you KNOW you will sit most of the time, about 36-40"..and hope you never have to spend much time under it.

If you will stand and walk around, like so many of us, then it should be near sternum height, but no lower than 44". As a good rule, place both your hands on your kneecaps, and look parallel to the ground. Your main line should be about an inch lower than that.

[Anonymous]

40" is the best. 48" is way to high in my opinon. I am 5' 9" and the 40 height is really pefect

[tomikawaTT]

My benchwork ranges from 33 inches (lower-level staging) to 50+ inches (the station at the end of the mountain-climbing short line,) with the major operating scene at 42 inches. 42 inches was chosen for the following reasons:

1. I've reached an age where standing for an extended period becomes downright painful, and 42" is a good sitting height.

2. I can reach farther across 42" than anything higher, in case of problems 'out yonder.'

3. By putting casters under a legless kitchen chair I made the excursions under the benchwork a lot less painful.

4. My prototype runs on 42" gauge track, which has influenced my thinking for a lot longer than the reasons above.

[Anonymous]

I have my benchwork set at waist level. I wanted it to be easy to reach halfway across from either side and even though I'm 6 ft. tall getting under is no problem for me. I also figured I'd be siting while operating too.

[jrbernier]

I am 5'8" tall. My benchwork is set at a base 45" level off of the floor. The lowest track is 48", and the highest is 54". Most of the 'reaches' are in the 24" to 30" range. I am very satisfied with the arrangement.

Jim

[Anonymous]

I'm 6'10" and my layout is in the attic with a sloped ceiling... so I'm all screwed up. I put it at eye level while sitting so I'd actually have some room for trains.

[dieselfan04]

I have mine set at 55 inches. It is around the room with 24 inch max depth but I still need a step to work on the layout. I'm 6 foot but still would put the next layout at 48-50 inches.