What is the best height for a router table?

[dennis thompson]

I am building a router table and have looked around at several to get an idea of the best height ( I am 5'11" tall) . The Kreg table is 41", Woodsmith has a plan that has a height of 36" while Peachtree has one of 33".
Any thoughts on what the best height would be?
Thanks

[Al Launier]

I prefer the higher table as it allows me to more easily sight down the table/fence to align the router bit to the work piece with minimal bending over, plus it's a more convenient working height for me (also 5' 11") as I can keep a sharper eye on what's going on with the taller table. Just my personal preference. It's a good idea to wear your safety glasses & respirator.
If you don't like the taller table you can always lower it.

[Robert Engel]

I would think you want it low enough to be able to comfortably exert some downward pressure, but no so low your bending too much.
I am 6-1 and mine is 40" high.

Dittos on the safety equipment, especially the glasses (how do I know that?)
I would throw in ear protection because routers are quite loud.
Respirator not really needed if you have a dust port, except for MDF that stuff is toxic.

[Roger Pozzi]

I built mine to match the height of my table saw just so it could be used as support for large pieces.

[glenn bradley]

I built mine to match the height of my table saw just so it could be used as support for large pieces.

Bingo. Most of my shop fixtures follow this rule. They are either extra support when needed or, at least low enough to stay out of the feed path.

[Mike Cutler]

I'm 6' 3" and mine is set at 39". It's a comfortable height for me. 33" would be way to short. My table saws, and shaper, are set are 36", but if I could get them to 39" easily that's where they would be. (They are integrated together.)
I don't really like the 36" height either, it's the same height as standard kitchen counter tops, and those are too low for me also.
41" would work for me too.

[pat warner]

Ain't no best ht. for all takers.
Study on the drill press?
Use the variable ht. of the drill press table to determine the most comfortable.
Then make a mock-up fence and test for ergonomics.

[Jim Dwight]

I will add another vote for relating it to your table saw. My saw is at 38.5 inches. My router table is at 38.25. When I get my RAS and CMS on their bench, it will also be 38.25. When I get my workbench built, it will also be 38.25. I want things a little shorter than the table saw so I don't have to lift the wood up when using it for outfeed support. I am 6'2" with long arms. (I've moved recent and just got a shop garage again last fall so I am still getting it fixed up, working on putting up insulation then waferboard on the walls followed by drilling the wall for 3/4 conduit pieces to support lumber this weekend).

[Bud Zeien]

I agree to making it the same height as the TS, although it is low for intricate projects, it is a good height to be able to put your weight into a piece if need be. Maybe you could make up an extra base to put it on for the smaller projects, or an adjustable base!?

[Rick Potter]

Got two. One is 37 1/2" same as the TS, the other is 40 1/2". I am 6' or so, and almost always go to the taller one first. It is a lot easier on my creaky old back.

BTW, don't forget to include the height of the wheels if you plan to mobilize them.

[Mike Goetzke]

I had a RT in the wing of my TS years ago. I sold the setup and built a stand alone RT with storage. I had the same question you did and I ended up building my table at 41" (with casters). I'm 5'10' and that's at the bend of my elbow. Routing is much easier on your back, easier to set bit height, and easier to see the cut.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Projects/Router%20Table/IMG_0001_zpsf10d022c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mbg/media/Projects/Router%20Table/IMG_0001_zpsf10d022c.jpg.html)



Mike

[Brian Henderson]

I built mine to match the height of my table saw just so it could be used as support for large pieces.

Same here. My first router table was built into the wing of my table saw. When I built a stand-alone unit, I just kept it the same height because it was comfortable to work at. Ultimately, the height doesn't matter, it's what feels good to use that makes a difference.

[dennis thompson]

Based on your very helpful comments I will go with a 41" table, easier on my back and if I find it too high I can lower it.
Thanks

[ian maybury]

Another here (presuming no need to tie in with other surfaces) of the high table tendency. Mine is only 37in (basically because that's as high as the legs on the Incra cabinet frame go) and I'm 6ft 1in. My impression is that another couple of inches would be no problem, and i'd agree that it'd require a lot less bending to line stuff up - although so far i've done Ok with what I have too. The limit might be that there are times when it's convenient to be able to comfortably reach and/or hold stuff down on the back half of the table.

I'd definitely not want to build a table so that it couldn't be lowered if needed though...

[Leo Graywacz]

I built mine to match the height of my table saw just so it could be used as support for large pieces.


Bingo. Most of my shop fixtures follow this rule. They are either extra support when needed or, at least low enough to stay out of the feed path.

Yup. I build a lot of my stuff to be the same height as my tablesaw. Built the cart that holds my chop saw so the chop table is at TS height. My parts carts are at TS height also.

[Mike Sandman]

Me too -- almost everything it built to the same height (36") in my 12 x 20' workshop. That way no table is ever in the way of a panel that's being milled on another table.

[mike mcilroy]

If your shop is any where close to "tight" make it the same height as the TS because there is always some situation that comes up where one machine will end up being a blocking point if they are different heights.

If your floor space is large enough you can envision your longest work piece not coming close to another machine either infeed or outfeed side of the router table then the drill press table dry run sounds like a great idea.

In my shop it is a constant battle for space in every direction.

[Rich Riddle]

Mine is about 40" high. It's nice to be able to see the work and make adjustments easier. Many like a table that can double for an outfeed, but that seemed to low for comfort.