Hi! Built this (a lot of stumbling about)
Its a 7’x3’X4″ box… I trusted the “finish lumber” at the box store would be dimensioned right but 1x4x9 is not its 3/4×3 1/2″ .. anyway they had junk in the 6″x in any length and I switched to Poplar.. It seems really hard. but I am a rookie.. If I can score it with my thumb nail with out trying its soft to me. .(grin) the poplar seemed pretty hard…
So Three questions!
Poplar ok for an edging?? Is is as hard and my thumb nail thinks? I am going to “clamp up” on this table and want it to be able to withstand that.
And I have read a lot and was wondering IF I should “cap” this with a top of some sort? If so.. Just hard board?
And Finally what to finish it with? I was just going to wax it so that it is good to let the out feed glide out and maybe drips of glue pop off? But I am thinking maybe a decent finish will seal it?
Sorry this is getting so long, Appreciate any feed back.
Rich
Replies
Rich,
Poplar is one of the softer hardwoods. Its plusses are good machinability, and relative stability. In the company I work for, we use it for anything painted, and for interior parts of finer furniture. Its negatives are poor staining and absolutely no weather resistance. Poplar should never be used outside, it will turn into mulch in a year. For clamping resistance, red oak would be a better choice for edging. If you were going to glue up directly on top, a plastic laminate might be a good top skin, but in my shop I just cover the bench with a sheet of plastic. After the glue dries, I just shake the dried glue off, fold up the plastic ,and put it away till next time.
What about Douglas Fir? For the Sides? I have enough of that to wrap the Table? I was thinking of something over the top of the MDF for the actual table top as the MDF is so easy to "ding". Then I want to protect the top from "oops'" with something like a poly that will clean up if there is a spill or accident? (I like having my daughter and Son helping me in the shop. and were all clumbsy!)Rich
Douglass fir is fairly tough, though it tends to splinter, but there is no good reason not to use it. After wrapping the edges, laminate formica or other plastic laminate onto the top, and the surface will be very durable and easy to clean. Some glues will stick, so clean them up while wet.
i have made 2 benches out of a torsion box construction.the top was mdf and then i covered that with a piece of 1/4 " hardboard. I then edged it with oak to be flush with the hardboard. I coated it with watco oil and I find it durable and glue resistant.plus the top is replacable .I have used it for 5 years and because i work fairly carefully, it is in pretty good shape.laminate is too slippery for my tastes.usefull on an outfeed or a sharpening station, but not for a bench in my opinion.good luck...
Mike...
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