how high is your router table?

[bluemax1811-newsgroups]

I just built a stand for a Veritas router table top. The idea is that this could be mounted on top of a wide range of custom built or ready made cabinet bases. I happened to have a portable two drawer metal file cabinet that a guy gave me. Its built like a tank made of 14 gauge sheet metal. I would guess it was manufactured in the 50's. Anyway I put my router stand on top as a "get by" measure. It seems kind of a neat size except its a bit tall. The top of the router table is now

44" high. This doesn't bother me except I think its taller than its "supposed to be".

What are your thoughts? The veritas factory setup shown at

is 40" high. I am 5' 11" tall.

Bob

[SonomaProducts.com]

Most commercial units are 36" tall but whatever works baby.I like mine taller because I am. The only other consideration is working in conjunction with your other work surfaces, it's nice to have consistent heights.

[DJ Delorie]

Mine is custom, and it's 36". I vaguely recall standing in the basement with my arms out in front of me trying to figure out how high to make it, too. I'm 5'10".

[pat]

This one at 38":

[RonB]

44" does seem a little high, but if you are comfortable with it there why change? It is your shop.

RonB

[Modat22]

My table is 48" AFF. but I'm 6' 7"

[Edwin Pawlowski]

My thought is the "supposed to be" is whatever fits you. My router table is good at 36", but my first was a portable table on a desk. I'd guess the height to be close to that 44" you mention. For doing large work, I find it better to be a bit lower so I can apply more downward pressure, but for a lot of work the higher height is good.

I watched a demo by a guy making things like trivets, bookends and other small parts. He was at least 44" to table top.

[Leon]

Bob my table is 35" tall. I am 6' tall. I suggest not too high to make it hard to put cabinet door up there but tall enough that your back does not get sore. I have spent a couple of hours non stop at the table doing small pieces of Ipe.

[David]

sounds high. rule of thumb: measure from floor to the palm of your hand (hand held parallel to floor). I'm 6' 5 and my router table was deliberately set at 37", which works for me and matches the "rule" of table heights. A bench that is used for lots of heavy planing would be a bit lower than that. You don't want a bench so low that you are bending over a lot and you don't want it so high that you can't get good leverage with your arms while using hand tools.

Bottom line: if YOU like being 5' 11" at a 44" tall router table, then to hell with the general "rules". I'd be surprised if you find that height comfortable over the long haul, though.

Dave

[Andy Dingley]

Mine is 31", from sheer accident of building. It should probably be

33", to match my saw, planer and second bench.

[Barry Lennox]

I built the one out of FWW last year, it's 36" high and that's fine. But I think I would make it 37-38" if doing it again. It does not seem too critical.

Barry Lennox

[Slowhand]

Mine is 35" tall. When you cut yours down, will you be selling the step ladder to access it? g

[bf]

Make it the same height as your table saw, so you can use it as an infeed or outfeed table.

[e-mail] wrote:

[Bob G.]

=========================== For "me" it would be a tad to high.... I have 3 router tables in my shop Plus another router set up in the outfeed table on my Table saw...

ALL 3 of the tables set 42 inches high and it suits my height (6'1) ANY my eyes just fine.... using the tablesaw mounter router gives me a royal pain in the back darn fast.....

Bob Griffiths

[BillyBob]

Good idea!

Bob