Replies

1. 
   RRusso | Dec 01, 2003 09:23am | #1

   I used poplar for mine. 'Bout $2/bf where I'm at.

2. 
   BobSmalser | Dec 01, 2003 09:39am | #2

   You don't post a location....but any roughcut airdried hard wood to include SYP and DF that you can get cheaply....you will need a lot of it in thicknesses that are expensive if buying furniture wood.  Look for a local sawyer who will generally have a few stacks to sell.

   http://www.sawmill-exchange.com/index.htm

    

   http://www.mobilemfg.com/

    

   http://www.baileys-online.com/

    

   http://www.woodmizer.com/welcome.html

    

    

   Check the phonebook and the mill manufacturers/sellers for portable sawmillers locally.  The mill builders are happy to provide names of local guys who own their mills.  Local tree service guys will know of them, too. Few advertise.

    

    

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | Dec 01, 2003 12:56pm | #3

   "the best and least expensive"......

   I built mine from lumber yard materials. The legs are pine 4X4's. They are connected to each other with 3/4 plywood -- connected in all three directions.

   The 4X4's are reasonably strong, and the plywood panels make it virtually impossible for any racking to occur. And the added benefit is that I did it such that the plywood made some storage space too.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
1. 
   Biscardi | Dec 01, 2003 06:43pm | #4

   I used walnut. I know that sounds nutso, but I'd bought a stack of walnut and some of it just wasn't funiture grade because of knots, ugly grain, streaks of sapwood, etc. I ripped it up, glued together the 3/4  to make legs. It worked out fine. I used big M-T joints and then drilled thru  them and drove in 1/4 lag bolts.

   I used 8/4 ash for the top. It is a cheaper alternative to maple and extremely hard.

   I guess you can use any sort of wood. You can make it functional or pretty or in between. It can be a work of art or a quick, cheap project.

   Frank

4. 
   jeffreysherow | Dec 01, 2003 07:08pm | #5

   I like oak.  Its a good utility hardwood and seems to have the lowest price point of the hardwoods -- probably because they get big so fast.

   I also like the idea of finding someone that has, or is going take one down a tree and getting one or two logs that you can mill yourself to save some additional money.

5. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 01, 2003 07:21pm | #6

   dick

      To answer your question as you asked it, it depends on where you are at. Probably Doug Fir, Southern Yellow Pine or Poplar would be the cheapest. I used Doug Fir on the bench I just finished. Whatever you use, be sure it is dry before you construct it and mates the dryness of the top material as close as possible.

      Doug Fir application in pic below.. Good luck with you bench.

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   
1. 
   Dick38 | Dec 01, 2003 11:20pm | #7

   Awesome Workbench Sarge,

   Yours is similar to what i'm going to build. I'm going to use MDF and Hardboard for the top, this is the plan for a jointer's bench in Allens workbench book. Thanks Everyone for the input, i'm going to use Fir if I can find some good looking wood.

   I live in the central valley of Ca, east of the Bay Area.

   Dick38

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 02, 2003 12:34am | #8

   dick

      Thanks Dick. That's my fifth personal and have conspired on a number of others. Almost any wood will work for the base as long as it it dry and you have a good sturdy plan and joints. If you want to change the top latter, you can. I would build the base so that it is available for the current top or any you choose in the future.

   Good Luck and have fun..

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   IainEdwards | Dec 02, 2003 10:24pm | #11

   Sarge as the saying goes....always bigger in America!!!....thats a serious vice, nice bench. I built one a couple of months back based on a design D Charlesworth recommended....  ....regards....Iain,

   Edited 12/2/2003 2:28:11 PM ET by Iain

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 03, 2003 05:26am | #13

   Iain

      Hey, that's Texas you're thinking about on the "bigger" deal. ha..ha...

      It's actually an economy bench built with scrap. The base is made from a recovered piece of Doug Fir beam from an old warehouse being torn down. I made the top core from finger-jointed pieces of maple scrap about 6" to 8" long and sand-wiched it between solid on top an bottom. Sort of an experiment, so to say. The vise hardware was the most expensive items at $200. Only have about $70 in the bench itself. A design I came up with about 20 years ago.

      I like the Charlesworth bench. I keep design simple and sturdy. I read quite a few articles by David Charlesworth in Furniture and Cabinet-Making mag. He is quite accomplished craftsman and an inspiration to us old 30 year + "hackers".

      I'd be happy to trade the bench for a new style Sedgwick TS with the cast iron slider. I can build a new bench in about a month. That saw is nice piece of work.

   Regards from the Red, White and Blue side of the pond...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   IainEdwards | Dec 03, 2003 12:22pm | #14

   That picture came through then.....????How did you figure the saw from that!!!!..you really need to get out more.....Yes the saw's worth every penny v stable, flat, nice slider, good motor, however on the dwn side it was a pig to set up and lacks a mitre slot....nothings perfect.   Take care Iain  

   PS I thought we were known as the 51st State never mind the pond

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 03, 2003 07:26pm | #15

   Iain

      51st state? Depends on if you ask Tony or HRM and now wouldn't be a good time. I think she's a little ruffled over having the grass ruffled at the Palace. Priorities... Priorities... ha..ha..

      Didn't notice there wasn't a mitre slot on the TA 350. I suppose it's irrelevant anyway, as it's not likely I'll see one soon. :>)

   Regards...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   IainEdwards | Dec 03, 2003 09:53pm | #17

   Tony would be the guy to talk to .... and he'll give you any answer you'd like to hear!!!...Anyway what are you working on at the moment??.....all the best Iain

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 04, 2003 08:35am | #21

   Iain

      Don't ever take me serious with anything that points at politicizm. I have a lot of English friends that came over to work on the Lock-heed C5A project back in the early 70"s. They didn't return for one reason or another. That rib me about the "prez" and I return volley about HRM. All in fun.

      Working currently on 400 Xmas toys from donated locals scraps for needy kids. Five freinds and I have been doing it for 4 years now. We got 12 this year with 2 more about to come aboard. I have charities and churches that distribute.

      Next up, a new kitchen table for the "first lady" of her chosing. After that I am building her a new bed and suite to match. I made her get rid of the "water-bed" she loves when it sprung a leak. If I want to sleep on water, I want some 16" guns on deck to protect me. The trade-off was to build a new set-up for the entire bed-room. Sometimes I think she takes advantage of the fact I have accumulated tools for the last 31 years. ha..ha...

   Regards for what is now early morning for you...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   Edited 12/4/2003 12:40:58 AM ET by SARGE

4. 
   IainEdwards | Dec 04, 2003 05:08pm | #22

   The toy thing sounds v well meaning especially for this time of year....and I guess when its done with a gaggle of chums turns into a bit of a beer fest??

   'of the first lady's choosing'....I find its a pleasure, engages them, and brings us closer to our better half. Frankly small recompense based upon the the imaginative, underhand and plain dastardly  approaches we must adopt to acquire new tools which will of course be fundamental to the construct of her latest wish!!!..... catch up Iain

5. 
   Midnight | Dec 05, 2003 12:34am | #24

   yikes....Kitchen table, bed and bedroom to match...??? Sarge..... this has gotta be SOMEEEEEEE tool order you're working on.....I'm guessin the L-N 41/2 along with the #7.. spare blades for each...the ummmm high angle frog.... and of course.. rosewood handles for both......

   close...?

   ;)Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun

6. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 05, 2003 09:03am | #27

   Mike

      I'm a natural saleman and will have no problem with the # 4 1/2 or # 7, but the rose-wood handles may be pushing my luck. I would have to scheme, ahh... devise a plan of attack on those. 

      Good thing I like her, or to put it in better prospective; good thing she likes me. ha.. ha...

   Take care, Mike...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

7. 
   GregB126 | Dec 03, 2003 09:54pm | #18

   Iain,

   I'm about to do the same.  What timbers did you use in making your Charlesworth bench and how true to his designs did you keep?  Did you modify it to your own preferences, or wish you had?

   Cheers,

   Greg

8. 
   IainEdwards | Dec 03, 2003 11:22pm | #19

   Greg,

   Firstly, and I think Mr C would echo this; the design is not entirely his, but one adopted and adapted. 

   In terms of materials; I was lucky to get some 1/4 sawn beech boards of varying width's/lengths, these planed down and glued up for the 2 top sections. The frame is iroko (nasty stuff) & sapelle.

   Construction, very simple but with a serious challenge regarding the chamfers on the outside of the through mortise'. I did'nt really adapt the design, save size. I ended up with 5' length, 14" front top panel width. It was a reasonably quick project and I'm well satisfied with the result, a good heavy simple bench with a feel that inspires confidence. Have fun....Iain

6. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Dec 02, 2003 01:10am | #9

   I used 13 ply birch plywood and laminated my legs and cross members, used Mortice & tennon joints.  I used less than a sheet & bought my top from McMaster-Carr.  It's one of the strudiest & solid  bench's that I've worked on. 

1. 
   ian | Dec 02, 2003 03:50pm | #10

   Craig

   using laminated ply for the farms is unusual, can you post a picture or two?

   Ian

7. 
   PlaneWood | Dec 03, 2003 03:42am | #12

   I found some old white oak 6x6 timbers in the bayou behind the house.  Resawed them down to 4x4.  Stuff was harder than H-E-Double L.  Looked like new wood after resawing and planeing.  Had to wash off the mud first and let them dry for 6 months.

   My workbench is all bolted together.  In case I ever move I can disassemble.  Top is sacrificial 1/4" tempered masonite.  Under that is two layers of 3/4" mdf.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

8. 
   Colinsdad | Dec 03, 2003 09:47pm | #16

   I built my bench with standard lumber yard pine for the base, mdf/hardboard for the top, and birch for the edging and shoulder vise.  The end vise is out of ash that I moved from a previous set up.

   
1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 04, 2003 08:04am | #20

   C D

       Like it! Simple, efficient and economical.

    Okay, the breaks over, back to work. ha..ha..

   Regards...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   Dick38 | Dec 04, 2003 05:16pm | #23

   Nice looking Workbench,

   I hope mine turns out half as good. How did you do the inlay's?

   Thank's,

   Dick38

3. 
   aksophie | Dec 05, 2003 01:34am | #25

   I am wondering....how well do the bench dog holes hold up? I am contemplating making a new bench using mdf with veneered maple on the top, but am hesitant, thinking that the mdf will wear prematurely in the dog holes. Can you set my mind to rest?

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 05, 2003 09:13am | #28

   sophie

      Sorry to butt-in, but I thought I might be able to add something here. I have conspired on a number of benches and the holes in MDF are a concern. If you do heavy hand planing, even more so as a large amount of force is placed on them. If you don't the factor is reduced.

      A few thoughts. You could use MDF and cut the holes over-size. Insert plastic pipe in the hole with a 3/4" inside diameter. The other option that jumps out at me is to use the materials you mentioned and insert a solid strip of wood where the dog holes are. Then you can cap the outside of it with what-ever you chose.

      I will post another pic of my newest bench-top and this will give you a better perspective of the solid strip. The other pics are in  a post at the first of this thread.

   Regards...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   
9. 
   ron61 | Dec 05, 2003 02:41am | #26

   If you are like me- after you build it from what ever is least expensive and you not happy with it after its finished wishing you would have spent a few more bucks for some good hardwood and go ahead and build another bench from good materials.

   Save some money and use something that will make  a nice bench - I done the lumber yard thing its ok but it not a good hardwood bench .

   Your work bench is a tool - make a nice bench take care of it - It will always make you proud. You dont need to spend a fortune to have a nice bench -a good book for benches is " The Workbench Book by Scott Landis " Its worth every penny.

   Ron