In about a week I will start building a new freestanding workbench to replace my fixed-to-the-wall one.
I do not (yet) have a jointer or bench plane and my recent attempt at hand jointing 1″ planks (for a workshop door) definitely indicates that I should not try this on 2″ planks.
I am considering building the top from manufactured Argentinian Pine boards, glueing two 1″ boards together. This will give me a good looking surface which can be sanded down, or even planed, when it starts to look too beaten up.
The top will be lipped with 1″ beech which will form the rear of my Record 17″ vice and a homemade end vice.
My question is: Given that I will be using a softwood, will the top be far too vulnerable? I can coat the top with a clear epoxy resin, possibly with added wood flour to roughen it a little (old boat deck trick for non-slip).
Replies
Have you considered a pre-built bench top; e.g.- http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G9914-Solid-Maple-Workbench/dp/B0000DD0XQ; or: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5134?
It was suggested some time ago here that SOLID Core doors (2nds) make good work top benches and you get 2 sides.
I have used one for about 3 years and still havent had to flip it over and use the good other side.
Cheap, no fuss, and 2 sides. What more can you ask for?
Ahh go for the hand plane(s). By the time you finish the work bench you will be a fricken expert. I started with Toshio Odate style planing beams to help make my work bench. I found I really want/need a cabinet maker's bench for drawer work. So I built a traditional Frank Klausz style bench. Thank you Mr. Odate and Mr.Klausz for the articles and encouragement.
I think Frank Klausz's encouraging quote is some thing like : " You never know what you can't do until you try. Go for it ! ".
Prebuilt tops are not available here and solid doors have to be custom made at great expense.The handplane option could make sense but I need (want, must) to finish the bench and move on to other projects.Thanks for the input. I suppose that I shall just have to wait and see how durable my solution will be.
just a old Man that has made many woodworking benches. I have to say I never work work in maple except for small projects..My Purpleheart bench... Was like a rock! Sold it.. . I think a made a $100 dollar profit..Make the bench out of anything durable! Plywood with MDF and something removable,, As in Tempered hardboard!That is if you do not need a show piece!All a workbench needs is a FLAT top and some vises!
I want an element of showpieceness, hence my idea to use the pine boards. Plywood cannot be sanded down to tidy it up as the veneers are paper-thin. My only reservation is about how the pine will stand up to the use it will get. Hopefully I'll get by and, after all, I can always add another 3/4" of MDF.
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