Nate Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Do you prefer standing or sitting at your workbench? I'm finally going to get the chance to set up a model spot if our offer gets accepted on this house we're looking at, and I can't decide which direction to go for workbench height. A lot of people at work like to stand instead of sit at their workstations for ergonomics, and I've seen modelers like John Alcorn stand at their bench... I've always sat except for painting in the garage.... thoughts? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vince Maddux Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 After spending hours or even whole days at my workbench I prefer to sit. I can't see how you can relax and enjoy the hobby by standing up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jwest21 Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 I agree...I can't imagine standing. One thing I saw on another guys workarea was he installed a light UNDER the desk- to use when he dropped small parts on the floor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
echolmberg Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 (edited) I'm the opposite of ModelerX. I sit all day long at work so when I built my own workbench, I have it at stand-up height. If I decide to sit, I have a tall bar stool upon which I sit. If I had to estimate, I'd say that, while modeling, I stand about 85% of the time, sit 14% of the time and on my hands and knees looking for dropped parts about 1% of the time. Eric Edit: After thinking about it, part of what you decide might depend on how you have your man cave set up. For example, my bench is set up in the basement underneath the stairs. I store my paints and reference books/mags on a shelf off to my left. When I need my paints and reference books, I have to get up and move about two or three steps to my left. I wouldn't be able to reach them if I sat (unless I was on a seat with casters, which I'm not). I have a those Craftsman padded floor tiles which means casters would not work very well. With all that being said, it's more feasible and simply easier for me to be on my feet so I can have the utmost mobility that fits my workspace. If I sat, then I'd constantly be up and down. On a secondary vein, I don't have the good fortune of being able to work on my models for hours nor days on end. That being said, for me to stand for half an hour to an hour is no problem at all. Also, I tend to hunch over badly if I were to sit. Standing helps me straighten up after being at a desk job all day long. Edited February 21, 2013 by echolmberg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 (edited) It really does not matter how we work. What does matter is which do you prefer? Are you more comfortable sitting or standing? Do you do better work standing than sitting? Steven L Edited February 21, 2013 by FAR148 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Wow I never even considered standing. I sit during the entire build and brush painting stages. I stand to do all my air brushing or other spray painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JasonW Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Actually, I do both. I tend to sit most of the time, but I occasionally find myself in the basement to do something totally unrelated and walking by the workbench, then stopping to do something that I think is quick, next thing I know I've been there standing working on something for fifteen or twenty minutes...... The other day I went downstairs to put laundry in the washer. About 40 minutes later my girlfriend came downstairs to find me. The basket was on the floor next to my bench and I was standing there sanding a resin ship hull with my respirator on, :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billw Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Sitting down definitely. If I stand in one place for too long, the old lower back starts to protest & quickly becomes painful. Even without the back problem, I wouldn't work standing up. Just not comfortable for me. Besides, my cats need a place to sleep (my lap) while I'm working. BW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vince Maddux Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 lights under the bench, Thats brilliant, i may have to do that too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spejic Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Actually, I lie down on my stomach and do my modelling on the floor. And I kneel at my airbrush station. So there's some more options for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I sit at my current bench. When I was designing it, I figured out the height that felt most comfortable when sitting, but tall enough for the few things I prefer to do standing (primarily rattle cans) so it is a tad taller than a standard desk. When I was a teenager I had a bench under the stairs in the basement that was high off the floor. I used a tall bar stool most of the time, but during extended building sessions sometimes I would stand for a bit to get the blood flowing better and to stretch the muscles. It was a rather nice option, but I rarely get enough time at one stretch to need that these days. I agree...I can't imagine standing. One thing I saw on another guys workarea was he installed a light UNDER the desk- to use when he dropped small parts on the floor I did that on my bench, there are plenty of fairly inexpensive and easily installed under cabinet lights available which is what gave me the idea. It works pretty well too, often times a missing part I'm looking for jumps right out at me when I turn on the lights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 If you have the space why not build in a lower section for sitting, and an elevated section for standing? One next to the other. Aaron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Ask any chiropractor or massage therapist - sitting is the new smoking :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 lights under the bench, Thats brilliant, i may have to do that too :woot.gif:/> I just keep a mini mag light on the bench for that, it's more functional because the light moves and i look for the glare. Also, I sit while building, more stable that way. And my back is all screwed up so I hate standing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 Ask any chiropractor or massage therapist - sitting is the new smoking :)/> EVERYTHING will kill you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Loggie Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I sit at my modelling 'bench' (sometimes for hours), but I stand to spray-paint because it usually takes me less than 30 minutes, and never more than 60, and I have to be mobile. At my 'bench' everything is at arms-length (or less). George, out......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I just keep a mini mag light on the bench for that, it's more functional because the light moves and i look for the glare. Also, I sit while building, more stable that way. This is exactly what I do also. Sitting is more comfortable, especially in a very comfy and high end office chair that I got from work when they were scrapping a bunch in order to buy new furnishings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scapilot Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 (edited) Actually, I lie down on my stomach and do my modelling on the floor. And I kneel at my airbrush station. So there's some more options for you. I build mine on the edge of my bathtub while I'm sitting in it. Not very ergonomical, but very effective when building ships and needing to do test runs. Kidding...I do most of my work sitting down as well, I don't know how I could get a lot of the pieces to go together without being able to brace my elbows on the table or something. Standing up is mostly when I am painting though just so I can get around everything without having to lean all over the place. Edited February 22, 2013 by scapilot Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I sit when building and a good chair is a must. When I go out to the garage to paint however, I stand. I think it's just to have the mobility while painting. Who knows, never gave it much thought??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Emvar Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I do a combination of both.... But most is standing. Ironically I find it harder to stand up after having a session at the bench, although I do sit when working on small detail stuff. My job at work entails a fair amount of standing & walking and our wrk stations are set up for standing. I would give yourself the flexibility if you can. Emil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 Ask any chiropractor or massage therapist - sitting is the new smoking :)/> Lots of food for thought, Thanks! Totally agree Jennings, I think that's part of what motivated me to ask! I sit, but super hunched over...on the other hand it's comfy...maybe I'll just take up smoking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kap64 Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 I sit in a rocker recliner and my table is one of those coffee tables where the top lifts up and toward you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 When you need extra support, and steadiness, try resting your elbows on the surface while standing up; now try it while sitting down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Actually, I do both. I tend to sit most of the time, but I occasionally find myself in the basement to do something totally unrelated and walking by the workbench, then stopping to do something that I think is quick, next thing I know I've been there standing working on something for fifteen or twenty minutes...... This. It's actually the way I work most the time... Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 This is how my workbench looks like LOL just kidding !! but i am considering placing my spay booth in my closet so i can permanently have it connected to an outside vent witch will mean ill be doing my painting standing up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.