I’m trying to determine clearances for items below the benchwork, like a small workbench and such. I recall an article about this topic that went so far as to show head clearances for seats underneath.
Anyone recall where this article can be found or have a source for similar stats?
I used to know those figures from my work in small sailboat architecture where full headroom has so many negative consequences, but I’ve been unable to locate my notes and references since moving.
I’m in a similar situation, where much of the layout space must be shared with computer work stations and my modeling workbench.
I did measure myself sitting up straight at a computer work station, and the top of my head was at 55" (I’m 5’10" and about normal proportions, except possibly a little wider than I should be). I prefer my chair seat to be high enough to just have my feet flat on the floor (supposedly best ergonomic practice). My normal head position is probably about 5" lower than the 55", I have to sit up perfectly straight to reach 55" high, and that is not my normal posture. Optimum keyboard tray height is 29" in most ergonomic studies; I would think a seated workbench top would be the same.
If you are going to have a layout shelf over the work area, you will want task lighting under the shelf, especially for a modeling work area. You do not want that lighting to shine in your eyes, which means a combination of baffling and mounting above eye level. I also believe (have no references to back me up) that I would want to be able to lean forward over the work area while in my chair, without striking my head on the layout shelf or lighting. I also don’t want things so close that I feel like I’m going to hit my head leaning forward.
Putting these factors together, I come up with a minimum base rail height of around 60-62" from the floor, depending on thickness of benchwork. This is right up close to eye level for me, and will require a step stool to reach to work on the layout (lots of up and down 1 or 2 steps), but better than a duckunder. Having a layout near eye level is going to require some more care in design - sight lines for switching, spo
Desktops are usually at 29" or 30" above the floor; keyboard tray heights are usually recommended to be 4"-5" lower (for typical secretarial chair heights).
Not sure of the specific article you are referencing but this subject of under-the-layout space utilization comes up frequently in the hobby press. It is a subject worthy of consideration in benchwork design and construction.
Me? I am an advocate of near-eye-level layouts. I am 68" tall and on my new layout I am setting a zero elevation standard as 54" above the floor. Allowing for 18" of clearance for scenery and benchwork/trackwork is going to give me about 36" for storage. Maintenance requirements means that everything under there must be mobile and I am going to build some roll away bookshelves to house my half-century collection of hobby magazines.
It’s been quite a few years past but RMC - I’m almost sure it was RMC - did an article about using a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood to construct a storage locker. As soon as I can locate this article I’m going to review it for applicability to my needs.
For reasons of my own, having to do with long sustained grades and a desire to operate while seated, my layout base height is 42 inches. Also, since I use L-girder construction, the ‘tabletop’ is quite thick. I have a maximum of 32 inches of available height under the benchwork - and no desire to seat myself with my cranium among the head-knockers.
With the exception of some shallow shelves along the two fixed walls, everything under the layout will be on wheels. My workbench(es) will pull out into the aisle for use, then roll away to clear the aisle for operation. Likewise, storage for everything from excess rolling stock and unused scenery materials to 2-liter soft drink bottles and recyclables will be designed for ‘pull into the aisle’ access. The aisleways are mostly in the 32 inch range, and I seriously doubt that I will be operating and accessing under-layout storage simultaneously.
Admittedly, full implementation is still in the future (as is about 60% of my benchwork[(-D]) but the plan is pretty much set in concrete.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)