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LUCZORAMA SHIPWRECK SCAVENGER HUNT GIVEAWAY. 4 Weeks of Fun • 1 Legendary Prize ((OcCre’s Fram Ship)) • Global Crew Welcome!
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There are a lot of variables involved. First and foremost, if you are going to be able to work at it for long periods comfortably, it's going to have to be sized to fit you. Additionally, it will depend on what work you intend to do on the bench. Fabricating metal parts and rigging gangs and other fine work are best done on a jeweler's or watchmaker's bench which raises the working level of the bench to the seated user's eye level. A bench used for carving would best have a working surface (or vise jaw height) that is lower than standard desktop height.
I would suggest you start with the wheeled adjustable-height chair you will be using. With the chair adjusted to the most comfortable seating height for youself individually, then "experiment" with various working surface heights for the sort of tasks you will be performing on the bench and use those as your measure. You will likely find that you will want more than one working surface height. This can be accomplished by using modular bench-tops that stack one on top of the other with each providing a height desired when stacked on top of the others.
The one option I'd strongly suggest in conjunction with a rolling height-adjustable "secretary's or "typists" chair that will permit you to reach a greater area without having to get up out of it is a separate adjustable height bench expressly reserved for the model itself. There are many advantages to a variable-height workbench that can be easily rolled around to provide the best access to the model, especially when rigging sailing ships. The model can take up a lot of bench top workspace if it "lives there" all the time. It's useful to keep the model itself out of the way when it isn't being worked on and much more convenient not to have to "work around" the model itself when doing "bench work" off the model. Without the model there, you can reach a lot of tools and materials you'll be working with and not risk accidentally hitting the model and breaking something finished when trying to reach around, over, or through, the model to get to something behind it.
YouTube has a number of video tutorials on building adjustable height worktables. Some are a bit complicated. The simplest solution is to mount a bench top to a standard lightweight scissors-lift adjustable height rolling cart. There are tons of options online from around $175 retail on up, which is money well-spent if you plan to do any rigging work. The lift can be lowered so that the top hamper is at a height convenient for working on it while seated in your chair at your workbench. As I'm sure you know, the worst part of rigging is standing up to work on a model that's sitting on a regular height bench top. At one end of the rolling adjustable bench spectrum are DIY ones built with plywood scissors lifting mechanisms. At the other, as seen in one foreign modeler's shop online, was a repurposed hospital operating table that was not only hydraulically adjustable as to height, but also revolved 360 degrees and tilted hydraulically! This also came with an operating room lamp that he used to illuminate his model's "operating field." He'd obtained it from a surplus used medical equipment dealer!
I would suggest you start with the wheeled adjustable-height chair you will be using. With the chair adjusted to the most comfortable seating height for youself individually, then "experiment" with various working surface heights for the sort of tasks you will be performing on the bench and use those as your measure. You will likely find that you will want more than one working surface height. This can be accomplished by using modular bench-tops that stack one on top of the other with each providing a height desired when stacked on top of the others.
The one option I'd strongly suggest in conjunction with a rolling height-adjustable "secretary's or "typists" chair that will permit you to reach a greater area without having to get up out of it is a separate adjustable height bench expressly reserved for the model itself. There are many advantages to a variable-height workbench that can be easily rolled around to provide the best access to the model, especially when rigging sailing ships. The model can take up a lot of bench top workspace if it "lives there" all the time. It's useful to keep the model itself out of the way when it isn't being worked on and much more convenient not to have to "work around" the model itself when doing "bench work" off the model. Without the model there, you can reach a lot of tools and materials you'll be working with and not risk accidentally hitting the model and breaking something finished when trying to reach around, over, or through, the model to get to something behind it.
YouTube has a number of video tutorials on building adjustable height worktables. Some are a bit complicated. The simplest solution is to mount a bench top to a standard lightweight scissors-lift adjustable height rolling cart. There are tons of options online from around $175 retail on up, which is money well-spent if you plan to do any rigging work. The lift can be lowered so that the top hamper is at a height convenient for working on it while seated in your chair at your workbench. As I'm sure you know, the worst part of rigging is standing up to work on a model that's sitting on a regular height bench top. At one end of the rolling adjustable bench spectrum are DIY ones built with plywood scissors lifting mechanisms. At the other, as seen in one foreign modeler's shop online, was a repurposed hospital operating table that was not only hydraulically adjustable as to height, but also revolved 360 degrees and tilted hydraulically! This also came with an operating room lamp that he used to illuminate his model's "operating field." He'd obtained it from a surplus used medical equipment dealer!
my take on work benches is there are 2 heights. one is counter height. for this you will have to either stand or sit on a bar stool. its too high for me since there are times i need to be able to get over the tall masts on some of my ships or work so i can get a better angle.
then there is table height. i prefer this height. my bench is a sheet of 3/4 ply with a sturdy 2x frame under it. i like to walk around my work... this is fine if you have a nice basement shop. the advantage of table height, you can sit on office chairs which are adjustable. if you make your bench a bit higher for leg clearance and or tool storage cabnets.... i have an old dresser under mine, the chair can be raised ir lowered as you work.
now the heights arent to any standard... its personal preference and you are customizing to fit you. the chair you use should be comfortable to sit for long periods... thats why good office chairs are recomended, plus you have wheels to shift as you work.
then there is table height. i prefer this height. my bench is a sheet of 3/4 ply with a sturdy 2x frame under it. i like to walk around my work... this is fine if you have a nice basement shop. the advantage of table height, you can sit on office chairs which are adjustable. if you make your bench a bit higher for leg clearance and or tool storage cabnets.... i have an old dresser under mine, the chair can be raised ir lowered as you work.
now the heights arent to any standard... its personal preference and you are customizing to fit you. the chair you use should be comfortable to sit for long periods... thats why good office chairs are recomended, plus you have wheels to shift as you work.
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I picked up a one of these for ship assembly...
46 inches long (almost 120 cm) and adjustable height from 26 to 42 inches ( 66 to 106 cm). It has a couple of full length shallow drawers to put the tools I use most in them and the locking casters allow me to turn the table around easily so I can work on the other side of the ship. I picked it up at one of the home improvement stores. They make them in a couple of different lengths from 3 feet to 6 feet ( 1m to 2m). Maybe you can find similar there. Here is a link:
Work Bench link
46 inches long (almost 120 cm) and adjustable height from 26 to 42 inches ( 66 to 106 cm). It has a couple of full length shallow drawers to put the tools I use most in them and the locking casters allow me to turn the table around easily so I can work on the other side of the ship. I picked it up at one of the home improvement stores. They make them in a couple of different lengths from 3 feet to 6 feet ( 1m to 2m). Maybe you can find similar there. Here is a link:
Work Bench link
These are great. Bought one for my wife’s shop ( caramics)
My workbench is 34 inches (86 cm) and it works perfect for me. I also have an adjustable chair stool. I purchased both from a place called Harbor Freight (it may only be a USA store). I love it, someplace in UK should have something equivalent. ( https://www.harborfreight.com/60-in...-workbench-58832.html?_br_psugg_q=work+tables ).
Hi Frank. Must have read my mind I went 86cm and brought a draughtsman adjustable chair.
For work I had a motorized sit/stand desk. When I retired I moved it to the shipyard and have not regretted it. I absolutely love that I can raise or lower the table at will.
Good luck. I love mine. Mine cost about $150 (US) a few years ago. I had to assemble it myself. Took 3-4 hours. It was not difficult. What did yours cost. Here is my big problem which I hope you do not have. My wife has confiscated a full drawer. I hope you get to keep all your drawers. Funny, no matter how many drawers you have you will find a way to fill them to the brim. I cannot fit a thumbtack in mine.
Hi Olivier. I wish my body worked like that let alone a table
I get to keep all my drawers because my workbench is out in my shop.
She has her own studio with her own drawers. 
I like to stand while I work in my builds…I move around too much to sit. Therefore my workbench is counter height for standing. Works for me as long as my knee health allows. If sitting is in my future I would have to resort to swivel seat bar stools. Anyway…the decision starts with your preference for standing or sitting. Or, as many do, find a good table, pull up a chair, and dive into the kit!
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Going for the latter with a height adjusting chair.
One thing I did years ago was to get a waste piece of Corian from a kitchen manufacturer. It was the cut out piece for a sink. For a few dollars he placed some feet on it. It is an exceptionally stable work surface and I do not worry about damaging the underneath counter.
Oliver, I love the Vivo workstation as I also like to stand a lot while working. Thanks for the update! Magic Mike