Saw height setup

[cuttingitclose]

It took some work, but here is my setup right now. I just measured and the saw table is 37-38 inches from the floor. I find when I work for more than a little while my back gets stiff. Is there a recommended height for the saw? I am about 5 foot 9 (or was  ) so, is there a guideline you guys use? I have a magnifying light and a foot pedal added to it and put a hose on the blower, which has helped a great deal. 

Thank you for any advice!

[Dan]

Good day Lance. The saw height from the floor is not so important because some people sit and others stand. What's more important is that your saw table is comfortable. Generally, if your elbows are bent about 90 degrees when you are at the saw you are probably good. One thing that helped me is to raise the back of the saw so it leans forward a slight bit. If you back gets sore (quite normal although it doesn't happen to everyone) just take a break every 5 or 10 minutes and stretch. Everyone is different so the best we can do is let you know what works for us and you will find what works for you.

Cheers!

[FrankEV]

Looking at the pic, I think your problem is not the height of the saw but the fact that you are probably sitting or standing toooooo far awy from the saw causing you to bend over way too much. 

I would consider redoing the mounting board with a cantelever to allow the saw to move out maybe 4 to 6 inches and you find an ajdustable stool that allows you to sit at the saw comfortably.  You might also want to consider rasiing the back of the saw an inch to two making looking down onto the work a little easier with less back/neck bend.

Wether you sit or stand, I find your arms (from the wrists to the elbow) should be fairly horizontal and be level with , or slightly above, the level of the saw table.

 

[Rockytime]

Frank's suggestion of an adjustable stool or chair is the key. Adjusting the saw height is doing it backwards. Also do you have enough room for your knees?

[OzarkSawdust]

I got an artist stool at Hobby Lobby last spring. It has a pneumatic cylinder and a lever like a office chair. The seat was hard so I ordered a memory foam office chair cushion from Amazon...comfy. Every 20-30 minutes at the saw I tap the lever and drop it an inch or so, just that little bit changes my position enough to help. When I get up for something I raise it back up and start over. It helps me a lot to vary my position, just a little, every now and then.

[trackman]

I like having some place to put my knees. Also the crossbar is a good place to put the feet. Have the foot switch on small stool so I can use tall chair. 

[new2woodwrk]

I use a tall stool and seldom if ever do I stand to cut.

Here is the stool I use (liked it so much I bought 2)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I3ZRQM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1&fpw=alm

I also tilt my saw slightly forward with a 2"x4" (I'm cheap) under the back of the saw. It's just enough to keep me from leaning too far.

Another invaluable item for me is the addition of a lighted magnifier. This is one of the best additions to my saw setup so far.

I have the HF one:

https://www.harborfreight.com/fluorescent-magnifying-lamp-60643.html

Edited December 10, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[cuttingitclose]

You guys are amazing. Thank you so much. Never occurred to me to raise the back of the saw but I will do that. I need to look at a stool. I have an old office chair out there and I could also LOWER the saw and make it so that chair works for me. I just started this journey and your advice is so much appreciated. 

So, now that I have some pointers, is there anywhere to buy spiral blades with t-shanks? I can't find them on Amazon and my google search was inconclusive. If not how good are the conversion kits to put a shankless blade on my saw?

Edited December 10, 2020 by cuttingitclose

[crupiea]

My saw is on one of those collapsible workmate bench things I got from sears years ago.

Perfect height to just use a regular folding chair.  I dont need a magnifier.  Tried using one but it seemed distorted and just too much of a learning curve for my taste.  For the light i have a cheapo walmart floor lamp with a flexible neck. 

Same with the air, cheapo fish pump and the end of a bic pen taped to the regular air nozzle. That way I have a constant stream of air, not just when I am sawing. 

[Jim Finn]

I scroll for hours at a time, so I am seated in an office chair.  I lowered my saw table to the same height as the chair seat.  Saw table level, not raised in the back. Works for me.