Optimal saw height?

[KLF]

My BT3000 is essentially in factory form, except I have it sitting on a caster base that I bought at Rockler to make it easier to move around the garage. But I feel like now it's too tall, it measures 39" to the "deck" height from the floor. I think I'm gonna ditch the metal leg section and build some sort of cabinet for it to sit on, with better casters. Wondering how high I should make it.

Also scrounging around looking for cabinet designs, photos would also be helpful.

[RayintheUK]

A former member told me years ago that the optimal height was the measurement between the floor and the crease in your forearm where it meets your hand, taken with your arm relaxed by your side and with your work footware on. Get another person to measure, it's far easier!

There used to be a load of articles about mobile bases, etc. but I can't find them. In that event, I can only point you to my base which has a link at the bottom of the page regarding the design considerations I used. HTH

Ray

[KLF]

Wow. I don't think I'm that ambitious, but it's very useful info. I'm trying to make a moving table that has the saw "hidden" in it, with a removable sacrificial top. At least that's my plan.

Printing now... THANKS!!

[dbhost]

A former member told me years ago that the optimal height was the measurement between the floor and the crease in your forearm where it meets your hand, taken with your arm relaxed by your side and with your work footware on. Get another person to measure, it's far easier!

There used to be a load of articles about mobile bases, etc. but I can't find them. In that event, I can only point you to my base which has a link at the bottom of the page regarding the design considerations I used. HTH

Ray

That would irritate the devil out of me.

As far as I am concerned, the "Right Height" is what is comfortable for YOU...

That 39" is too tall for me. I like working at about 36". But I have a funny back and don't like to stoop.

[OpaDC]

Geez Ray, I didn't know you had a shop in the Canary Islands. Either that or you have some way powerful lights. I mean, you know, that kinda looks like ... the SUN.

[vaking]

Don't overthink it. Kitchen counter height is standardized at 36". Table saw height ranges from 34" to 38" depending on saw manufacturer, most are in the range 34"-36" and Ryobi is the tallest as far as I know. There are probably more professional chefs in the world than professional woodworkers, there are certainly more amateur chefs than amateur woodworkers and yet all chefs manage to live with standard counter height. Just shows that we can all get used to whatever height is standard. I find kitchen counter height comfortable as well as my wife and she is few inches shorter than I am. So my BT3100 and my workbench both stand at 36" too - why overcomplicate?

[Ed62]

why overcomplicate?

Good point unless you are very tall or very short. If that's the case, I also heard the crease in the arm thing. That should get you in the ball park.

Ed

[leehljp]

Some people like all things at the same height for aesthetics and for infeed/outfeed compatibility.

HOWEVER for most aged people, different heights for different functions.

For fine control such as in need with router tables, scroll saw, fine bandsaws, DPs and in some cases table saws, elbow height provides this.

For faster feed ripping on BS and TS, about 3 to 4 inches lower. The purpose of this is more power is needed and less control.

For thickness planers, hip to waist height affords more power needed in this situation.

When back aches become a problem, ergonomics become a major factor over aesthetics. DAMHIKT . . and it is not just my opinion but common knowledge in the ergonomics community.

[LCHIEN]

there's reasons for higher and lower.
For fine work, and older eyes, I find higher is a bit helpful.
For heavy items and more physical handling, lower can be better.
For working on larger items a lower table can be better for the ability to reach/access the top and insides of the large object.

[SARGE..g-47]

There used to be a load of articles about mobile bases, etc. but I can't find them. In that event, I can only point you to my base which has a link at the bottom of the page regarding the design considerations I used. HTH

Ray[/QUOTE]

I read you moved the swithch to the left side as you are predominantly left handed... I prefer mine on the left also.. and I'm right handed but... left knee'd..

Nice work on the wooden casket.... errrr...... base that is.

Hope the day is as lovely in Sussex as in Atlanta...

Regards...

[mikeg]

Here's the link to the old articles. It's a very handy collection of articles.
http://www.bt3central.com/index.php?page=articles

And my 2 cents is whatever works for you. I like mine the height of the stock base since that's what I've used for years. One of these days I'll build a cabinet base and I'll give it more thought but I expect it'll be about the same height since that's what I'm used to.

mikeg