well just added a new tool to my collection ,picked me up a 10"bandsaw craftsman,never been used because of the belt,it wouldnt fit right,well i found out the belt just needed to be flipped over,now it works great.will use it to build me a workbench to hold both drillpress an bandsaw,any ideas on size an height ?

The height of your workbench depends on how you intend on using it.  If you intend on using the workbench for hand planning then the recommended height is between your knuckle and wrist bone when your arm is hanging free.  The idea being that with that height allows you to use more body weight instead of arm strength to plane the board.  If you are going to do a lot of dovetailing and such then a bench that is a little taller gets the wood closer to the eye, good for us gettin' older folks.  This is why some guys have a vice that clamps to their main planning workbench the raises the work closer to the eye.  If the table is going to be an assembly/finishing table you may want it even lower.

If your workbench is going to be the home for your tabletop tools for your drillpress and bandsaw, then I think a comfortable height is one where the table for the tool lies somewhere between your sternum and bellybutton.  

Congratulations on the new addition to the shop. You will really enjoy that bandsaw.

As far as height, it needs to be comfortable to your height. You don't want to be bending over to run things through it but you don't want to too high. You want it at a height you can see the cut line and the blade good. Most things you are going to cut and not that thick.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

As to height of the tools, Jim's suggestion seems right on. 

If they are going to be bolted to the bench, I'd place those tools back to back, though. You don't want either tool to be in the way of long work pieces. 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Great suggestions by all, you got plenty to work with here Ron!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project