Replies

1. 
   MKenney | Dec 21, 2009 06:59pm | #1

   jharvey,

   Ash would make a great benchtop. It's strong, resiliant, and light in color. The only possible drawback would be its open pores. If the pores are particularly large, they might collect dust and the like. However, that would only be a problem if you put the face grain up. As long as you have edge grain up on the top, that shouldn't be a problem.

2. 
   benchbolt | Dec 22, 2009 02:46pm | #2

   I just finished building "The essential workbench" by Lon Schleining. It is constructed entirely of northern Wisconsin white ash. It's beautiful, hard, strong, and heavy. All I ever hoped for in a bench, and a significant cost savings over hard maple. The top is 15 pieces of 2 1/2" thick slabs. Use a little caution, some of the pieces had some difficult grain, however I have no problem with porosity of the surface. Finished mine with Watco natural oil. Good luck with your decision.

   Mark