Bench heights and planing technique | Paul Sellers 

When Paul Sellers teaches you something you know you're hearing the calm voice of authority that represents 20,000 years of knowledge handed down from craftsman to student. It's a privilege to be addressed as though you are a small link in that chain.

It nice to have shop, bench, and all that. I started in high school, and always had crap for tools. I kept thinking I need large power tools, and shop. While at collage I meet this girl who had saw, a couple of chisel, and a block plane. She could make every thing. While her parents worked, she stayed with her grandfather who taught her how to use what she had. Her grandfather had learned to use limited tool while he was in an Japanese internment camp during world war two. She sat on the floor, and held thing with her feet. When she move out of the dorms, and into an apartment she made her own furniture from scrape wood. I can afford a few better tools, but I would rather improve my skills.

I have watched so many of the Paul Sellers videos and I continue to be impressed. What a wealth of knowledge within such a humble embodiment of a man. A great representation of the value of sharing knowledge as compared to hoarding it. Thank you so much Paul for passing on generations of skills and making them available to the public, ensuring that they won’t be lost.

Mr. Sellers, I am wishing you a long, healthy, happy and prosperous life so that you can continue to share all your knowledge with us. I am most grateful for all your videos, including this one. Looking forward to more from you.

The hardest part for us beginners (or at least for me anyway) is figuring out the difference between when I'm doing something wrong, or there's something wrong with the plane, especially since my planes are old hand-me-downs that weren't very well cared for. I see now that I definitely need to do some more work on the plane itself, because my planing is nowhere near that smooth or easy, even when it's taking thin shavings... "I'm not trying to prove anything, but watch how I'm right, because 50 years..." 😂 Thank you so much for all of your insight; it is extremely valuable!!!

I like your demonstration here Paul and I am going to raise my bench height because of back discomfort. What for me is not good about a higher bench height is chopping out large mortises clamped to the top of my bench. I cannot get over the top of the chisel. But the answer is simple, stand on a three inch platform. Raise me not lower the bench and keep the cold from my feet.

Hello from Arkansas, I have just recently discovered your channel. What a find. I have been a wood worker for 40 years. You are a great teacher.

Paul thank you for producing videos with such clarity and ease of learning. This one shows without doubt that the sage advice "let the tool do the work" is true - thanks again.

Paul, you never fail to impress me. I learn something every time I come across your tutorials. Brilliant.

That was the most simple, accurate and beautiful explanation of how to use a hand plane. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your experience.

Excellent video Mr Sellers. I love your no nonsense, simple yet masterful approach to woodworking. Thank you!

Paul, I must say that this video is the most amazing, informative and illuminating demonstration of how a plane can be setup and used! I just got my first hand plane (made a YT video if you could look and tell me what I’m doing wrong) and “WISH” I could get it to work just half as well as you demonstrated! Absolutely wonderful video! Thank you very much! You’ve set the bar for me!

An amazing and convincing demonstration. Counters so many “rules” other gurus push. That last statement by Paul, is a real pearl. You feel a lot more when you’re gentle with the plane. Just great advice!!

Paul, excellent demonstration. Back when I made my version of your bench I bulldogged the plane and it gave me fits trying to flatten the top. It took quite a few passes with the plane and a floor full of shavings but I finally got the message. After years of following your guidance all I can say is that your techniques work. Putting more of the pieces in the puzzle all the time. Thanks again for your devotion to keeping the knowledge and skills alive.

What an excellent demonstration! Tons of lesson to be learned from these ten minutes. Thanks, Paul!

Mr. Sellers, you have such a gentle nurturing quality about you that anyone who apprentices with you could not help but take in all the knowledge that you offer. You sir are a master in your own right.

Mr Sellers, that is such a tribute to your sharpening method, fantastic! I'm just starting to do bench woodworking and am trying to adopt your sharpening techniques, I don't think my planes will do that just yet, I will be practicing some more and will try doing this. When my plane does this I will know I've got it right. Thank you for videos they are a big help for learners.

These videos absolutely convince me that my planes are NOWHERE near as sharp as Paul's worst plane...

This is what youtube should be about; pure honest passion that can go directly to an audience that are not only interested in what you have to say but are engrossed in your many, many years of mastery in an art in its purest ,most practical sense. Thank you Paul.

the angle of the blade entering the wood automatically pulls the plane body down to the work as it tries to bury itself in the surface. all wood working should be done in a relaxed manner and it will show itself in the finish. great video as usual.

This is such a great explanation and demonstration, as all of the other videos are as well. Thanks for all of your great videos Paul.

Dear Mr. Sellers thank you for everything I learned watching your videos. I have improved my english and I have also learned plenty of woodworking skils. Best regards Predrag Jovanovic

You couldn’t be more right. My first mistake with my plane, straight out of the box, was forcing it down, and I was having the worst experience and hardly ever used it. Then I stumbled upon your videos and learned how to use my plane right, and now I get a little excited every time I get to use it in a project.

Amazing! It's like the wood becomes a fluid when handled with such talent! Thanks for your videos you're an excellent Master!

Paul has the gift of clearly explaining and demonstrating practical woodworking tasks. He is also very open and unbiased in his description. Great to see.

Gotcha! I need to write you. I can't say how many hours I've spent watching your videos. Many. I am 54 years old and only now I recognised that though I liked woodworking in my childhood despite utter failure I've never lost the desire. During the recent days and weeks I started to collect all the tools, not just mine but also from my parents and father's in law vaults. Chisels, rasps, saws, planes... The more I watched the videos the more I started to look at those tools and realised that the main reason I ever failed in anything in this matter was sharpness. Lack of sharpness. I took a file and sharpened my saws. Wow, what i difference! Few days ago I ordered diamond plates as a very first purchase. I sweared that I will not do anything before my tools will not be (insanely) sharp. Watching all your masterclass videos made me to conclusion that this is the main thing. Roots, back to the roots, this is sooo much basic. And today with this video I am dead sure that this is right. There is no doubt I will do many woodworking projects (I am moving with my wife to a new country house) and I will succeed. Step by step. I just want to tell you that you nailed it down with this video. Stay sharp. Thank you. Pavol

What you are putting across to us Paul is absolutely correct. Correct sharpening and set up are the two main variables as far as the plane is concerned. I am 5' 8" and my bench is 34". I have found this to be the most comfortable all around height for me. Your "experiment" was pretty cool to boot. Derek

Mr. Sellers, again you prove that YOU ARE THE MAN. I have never seen such an example of the use of a plane but I was taught by my German mentors that that is EXACTLY how to use just about any tool like a hand saw and a plane when cutting anything. you let the tool do the work. BRAVO PAUL

I cant tell you enough how much I appreciate your instructional videos. Thank you Paul

Jeepers Paul! watched a lot of your videos and am a fan and have subscribed a while ago but this video just makes you the woodwork whisperer bar none!!! Huge respect.

Watching Paul Sellers talk and work is always an inspiration! A true master of his craft. Jim Tolpin has a very interesting approach to this matter. He has a video on which he explains how over the years he has personalized the height and width of his workbenches to his body, taking his hand span as a physical length reference. 4 hand spans of height for workbenches on which you will be planning, 5 HS for the benches on which you will be cutting, 3 HS (the length of one's arm) for the width. Length may vary depending on the work. Based on average human proportions, my guess is your hand span is around 23 centimeters. Congratulations on the video and thanks for sharing your wisdom. All the best

Hi Paul, I'm from Brazil and I love watch your videos. You are the best!

No one could honestly dispute this demonstration. No one is as good with a plane or a chisel as Paul Sellers! Every time i watch one of your videos I learn things that make me a little better woodworking hobbyist, novice that i am i learn a great deal watching and listening to you here.

Outstanding! A sharp tool is such a pleasure to use.

Thank you Paul...as usual relaxed, quiet, great to watch, logical and educational. kind regards

Hi Paul. I really enjoy your video's, very instructive. This video sort of confirmed the height I chose for my workbench. I decided for 95cm (38" = 96.5cm), I am 5'10" and I have a bad back, so I need to set the working height a little higher than what seems to be a standard height here in The Netherlands, around 85cm.Thank you and please continue making video's.

This is just the best demonstration ever of how to properly use a plane, and how to set your bench height for perfect planing.

I have purchased your books and DVD’s but I sure appreciate your RU-vid videos!!! Best, Bob

Well now this is just delightful to watch.

I was one of the doubters of working on a high bench. I have been proven wrong. Thanks Paul. A member of your master class, Gary.

Such finesse and patience, true mastery focusses on the fundamentals.

From my school days I remember doing the side elevation of a jack plane and showing how the handle is set so that the thrust from the arm is directed exactly at the cutting edge. I was also taught not to put the plane down on it's sole but either on it's side or better to have a small strip of wood to rest either the toe or the heel on and keep the blade edge off the bench top. A great set of videos

I am totally impressed and convinced. I see now that a bench height isnt critical for a height that is conducive to leaning over, on top of a hand plane. I bench height that is higher would now make much better sense.... Where on would be more closer to the work...visually. And lessen the stress on ,my back. Must say your skills are as incredible as a craftsman as they are as a teacher.

You have demonstrated your point of no downward pressure, very well, Paul. Thanks

Those demonstrations prove the case, Paul. I learned something this evening for my next plain effort!

Thanks Paul, I have built a bench a few years back and it came out at 391/4" I'm 6' 2" and it works well for me. Now I'm starting to build a new one at the same height..

Does Paul have the best voice on RU-vid?

The "boy" is the master now, Mr. Sellers. Needless to say I'm learning a ton from your videos. Thank you.

WOW that was your best tip.. I have been pushing down all my ears. I going out to the shop right now and plane, plane, plane. thanks

Awesome technique video. I think I like the basics / fundamentals / foundational / tips of how to use your hand tools videos from experienced woodworkers a lot more than the how-to-build a specific project type videos!

Most amazing thing i've ever seen. I think I'll adopt this method for all my planing now.

great video, Paul. I'm 5'10" and I've always preferred a bench at counter height (36") and my router table is quite a bit higher at 44". That height keeps my back straight and is comfortable to work at for hours at a time.

My grandfather always told me to let the tool do the work.

An excellent demonstration Paul..very good!

another wonderful video Paul, I have 2 workbenches, one is set at 32 inches and one is set at 38 inches, i'm 6 foot. I do not use a power planer, or a planning machine, I prep and thickness all my timber from rough sawn by hand. its the bearing down that's required, its the ability to spread your legs apart and give you a much longer stride, and more power behind the plane to take heavy shavings through hardwoods. if I used pre planed timber then I would work from my taller bench all the time. using a tall bench for everything in my opinion is why so many new woodworkers think that prepping timber from rough sawn by hand is a ball ache. keep the video's coming mate!! :)

Fascinating. Many thanks for going to the trouble of making and posting these videos.

Sorry, I’ve been watching your videos for a couple weeks and forgot to subscribe , got it now though. Really enjoy and appreciate your posts

Every time you pulled the plane off the edge of the board I almost had to look away. My brain was certain it would fall to the ground lol. You’re the champ Paul! Thank you so much for passing down all this knowledge. And for free! God bless you sir. I sure wish you still lived here in Texas. You’re missing out on all the free live oak wood lol

Thankyou Paul. Sharing knowledge like this is so helpful

Quite an interesting subject, ive not done any woodworking but im considering some projects, Im considering your work bench as my first project as a precursor to my main project. In any case to my real point for commenting im sure you will have heard this but your video brought up a memory from my childhood. My great uncle who sadly now has passed away, used to always say to me "Let the tool do the work" i was using a saw to chop fire wood and naturally being 12 or 13 i was going at it all guns and gusto. But the point is quite applicable it would seem to me. Anyways, ive watched most of your videos now and im certainly getting the urge to do something practical pretty soon. I hope that you will be sharing more videos soon.

I am also 5'11" tall, and have raised the height of my workbench to 38 inches and find it perfect for most all hand tool woodworking. Grandpa was a cabinet maker and we still have his classic bench in our house and it is only 31 inches tall, - your back lets you know that you have been bending over after a days work on it. Also, in blacksmithing it has always been the standard to make the anvil top level with your fist, but most of us now think that it is way too low at that height. Good video, thanks Paul

Wonderful information. Thank you for sharing, stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

I appreciate all that you share.

Brilliant idea to demonstrate a point. Well done!

This is a good illustration of something that is becoming increasingly clear to me. A relaxed grip on planes and handsaws is all that's needed. I suppose I have always felt like others that you have to make the tool do the job and as a consequence I would generally end up with edges that were anything but square. Thanks to your videos I'm learning how to let the tool do the work instead. Much more enjoyable and the results are better as well. Thanks Paul, love your work.

Fantastic...the tool will do the work if used correctly as you have shown, great video as always

I learned to sharpen from his videos and this will happen to you to when you get a truly sharp plane. Best investment I ever made was getting set up like Mr. Sellers does when sharpening. It's like having all new tools.

Que maestro!! Muchas gracias Paul. Me encanto este video, aprendi mucho. Saludos de Argentina.

Nice video i always think that you need to force down the plane, but in reality is more about the preparation of the tool and the tecnic than the force aplied. thanks for the well thougth explanation and the nice video as always!

Simple though brilliant demonstration.... Thanks Paul Sergio

Superb video, Paul. I'm similar height to you and I prefer my workbench at about 40". I don't use much in the way of downward force with my planes. I prefer to sharpen the blade to the point where the plane works for me more than me working to use the plane (if that analogy makes any sense).

Could this man possibly get more any amazing. And the way he explains, it makes things feel like they're just so obvious, like saying, 'When you Drop things, they fall Down.'

Absolute genius... fortunate to have been taught by his video content

Well this video clears that bench hight debate up, for me at least. Branch Hight is nothing more than a personal choice. Thank you Mr. Sellers

Thanks for sharing this master. Greetings from Peru.

paul, man i love your style as much as your craft :)

Just built my first bench and made it 36” high. I’m 5’9” tall and it turned out to be perfect for me especially planing. I don’t feel like I’m bending over so much and can put my weight behind my place as I push

Splendid demonstration! For most of my life, people have told me my benches are too high, and that includes a famous woodworking-magazine editor or two. I always assumed that was because I learned to use my dad's tools when I was so young & short, therefore became accustomed to a high bench. Now, I feel vindicated for the taller benches I've built for myself and others! THANK YOU PAUL!

Another great video! Thanks Paul!

That was an awesome demonstration!

Great info as always. Thank you Paul

I inherited my father's homemade workbench. It felt much to low for me - I had to lean over too much. So I jacked it up on blocks to 36" which felt much better (I am 6', about Paul's height) but I didn't do much planing. I replaced that bench when it became badly worm-eaten. I built my new bench slightly lower at 35", mainly as a small step towards what I thought was a more normal height. Also, I was starting to plane a little more, so thought that would help put my weight over the plane. Now I learn that Paul uses a 38" bench height"! Had I known, I would have likely have moved up to 37" or even 38". That said, both 36" and 35" have worked well for me but I wouldn't want to go much lower than that, perhaps 34" minimum. As Paul is a full-time woodworker, comfort is important as a way to avoid injury -- so good to hear his insights.

I have been a carpenter and joiner almost as long as Paul, and I must agree with Paul in that if your plane is sharpe you don't need to press down. The weight of the plane it's self should be all it needs.

I think you have MORE than proven your point here, Paul. There can be no doubt.

Thank you Mr.Sellers. It's amazing video.

Very interesting You've proven your theory which contradicts the theories of most of the experts today. I agree, makes the job a lot easier. I'm 5'10". I use two benches, one 35 1/2" and one 38" depending on the task I'm performing. I like to stand upright my elbows bent at approximately 90 degrees.

Funny thing is the timing of me watching this. I’ve been wrestling with a decision between a Veritas #4-1/2 and a Lie Neilson #4. One of the significant differences is the more vertical orientation of the handles on Veritas planes. Paul has convinced me that the Veritas grip angle should work just fine. (Please don’t start flame wars between these plane manufacturers. Both are excellent tools, so feel free to choose whichever one makes you happy.)

"Never is the man with experience at the mercy of the man with a theory.'

just simply excellent...i love all your videos. Every carpenter and woodworker needs to review your teachings.

Another excellent video Paul, thankyou

The maths would bear you out Paul. If you bear down on your plane then any variation in that downward force will cause a corresponding variation in the thickness of shavings and therefor an uneven surface. Yet again you've managed to put it into nice simple terms that everyone can understand. In the early '70s I was taught exactly this at school.

Good advice as always. THanks Paul

Super illustration. I find higher benches relieve a lot of back strain.

Thank you very much for invaluable information.

I built two benches for myself that are 36" tall and 8 feet long (I am 5'10") and have found that a taller bench is much better for me than a lower bench which I also have. I have found that planing on a shorter bench yields inferior results and causes me to have to work more. I find that bearing down on the wood deforms the sole of the plane and the wood that you're planing. A sharp plane iron is the only thing a woodworker needs, that and a flat/true sole. I defy modern convention/wisdom that low benches are best, I enjoy having a comfortable working height that brings the work closer to my eye and allows me to stand rather than be bent over daily, all day.

That was very nice! Good show!

I agree with you on bench height. For years I cramped my back up on a bench that was 36". When I built my new bench I tried several different mock-ups until I arrived at 40" being the ideal for me. At 6'2", I seem to fit your theory as well. I can not only work longer at a higher bench, but to a higher quality.

Greetings from Australia. Less force = more control. Well put very helpful.

The very first time I got a shaving, was when I had a sudden revelation: the plane has to glide over the wood, because you are planing and not plowing a harsh field. Seriously, I used my plane as a pickax and with a panic attitude… I still need to improve a lot, and my shavings and results are far from this perfection. Thanks to videos like this I am eventually understanding what I have to improve and how.

Interesting how a lot of things in craft are so closely related. I make shoes by hand and even though I've never used a plane before, I quickly understood the importance of a sharp knife. I learned because it slipped one of the first times I used it and sliced my finger pretty badly, now days I don't even bother using my tools unless they are at a sharpness I feel comfortable and safe using, and this gives me a much more relaxed feel in working much like planing I think. It also allows me to have much finer work with less energy. There are also a lot of people in my trade that work with dull knives and bad techniques, the problem in shoemaking is if your knives are not sharp you risk hurting yourself more than your work! It's either a great motivation to learn or quit unfortunately.