NiaJane

Thank you for all the great suggestions! I have gone the frugal route and ordered bed risers.... LOL! Perhaps one day I can find a more permanent solution, but for now I think these will work perfectly.

quiltmouse

NiaJane,

I am 6'1". I just looked this information up yesterday, as I am contemplating putting a permanent cutting board (for cutting clothing patterns) in my basement.

I kind of feel silly. I have been in this rental house nearly two years, full basement (not a real nice one, but not horrible, either), and yet I have two ironing boards in my living room, that I put 1x4 boards across, then put a fold up cardboard cutting board on the boards. A height to size sheet of plywood on a piano hinge - would get the eyesore out of my living room.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-...dnesday-191112

Ideally, your elbow should be at 45* angle. (That's like 44 1/2" for me!!!)

But, for kneading bread, 2-3" lower than that. I would think the rotary cutting action similar to kneading bread, we need the leverage to push down on the cutter, perhaps even a bit lower.

ManiacQuilter2

You could also probably use the bed risers that can be bought at BB&B. I have them under my bed so I have more room to store stuff there.

Macybaby

My cutting table is built to sit over the daybed (that pulls out to a standard sized bed). The top can be removed and leaned against the wall if the bed is needed, though so far the only one that has used it is my DD and she just pulled it out and slept with her feet under the cutting table.

I tried several measures before deciding that 36.5" was the perfect height for me. I'm 5' 5" and usually work wearing slippers.

zozee

Just below the elbow . I have one of those craft tables from JoAnn's that I bought off Craigslist. It made a WORLD of difference in back strain.

nvb50

36 or 37 inches

Michellesews

If the table has 4 legs, purchase some bed risers at Walmart and put one under each leg. This will raise your table to a more acceptable height. If the table only comes to your hips it is too low.

Michellesews

Another idea...for 39.99 Costco sells a fold up table that has three heights. The tallest is perfect for cutting. It's surface is about 4 feet by 3 feet. I have bees at my house and we use one for cutting and one for pressing.

mrodarme

you can go to a big box hardware store & try out the different height cabinets/tool workbenches...i did this & found the bathroom height cabinets were the right size for me...im only 5' and kitchen cabinets were too high for cutting...i also found legs for a banquet style table turned out to be the right height for my sewing surface...i bought 2 pieces of formica kitchen top & now i have 2 correct height for me surfaces...my friend is 5'8" & these surfaces are way too short for her..so it does make a difference....going to the store i was able to sit, stand and 'test drive' all before making the commitment...
also, i did invest in a 'fatigue mat'...purchased at a chef supply store...that helps when standing for marathon cutting

NiaJane

Great ideas everyone! One of the reasons I love this board!