Replies

1. 
   rob_ss | Feb 10, 2023 02:19am | #1

   Why not?
   I use cheap pine plywood which is softer, I suspect.
   I have seen many construction timber benches online and their users seem happy.

2. 
   john_c2 | Feb 10, 2023 02:45am | #2

   Do it.

3. 
   weymouth2 | Feb 10, 2023 04:53am | #3

   Mine is glued (face to face) 2x4’s, and I love it. It’s simple and hacked up, like me. No dog holes or tail vise though. If I ever go that route I might opt for a harder top.

4. 
   user-7274013 | Feb 10, 2023 10:49am | #4

   Made mine using 2x6 Doug fir. Cut down to 4”thick, with dog holes and tail vise and it’s 84”long. The bench has worked out great and with the money saved on wood I was able to put my money into cherry and walnut for nice projects. Use the pine🪚🔨 good luck

5. 
   user-7110086 | Feb 10, 2023 11:25am | #5

   Don’t do it if you can afford hardwood. See Jay Bates video on YouTube. https://jayscustomcreations.com/# He built two, one of pine one out of red oak and he talks about the noticeable performance differences.

6. 
   john_c2 | Feb 10, 2023 12:05pm | #6

   I have one in hard maple, and one in Doug Fir, and both are just as good. Southern yellow pine gets even harder than Douglas fir. I wouldn't care for a bench top in Eastern white pine, or spruce. But southern yellow pine is great.

7. 
   tbonetim | Feb 10, 2023 02:43pm | #7

   Many reputable woodworkers opine that SYP is a fine choice for a serious bench. That unsung folk hero of woodworking, Stumpy Nubs, speaks directly to your question. He made a bench from salvaged southern yellow pine and some doug fir and gives a follow up 8 years later, along with some thoughts on what he would change in retrospect. See:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLht1JaRAY

8. 
   jfsksa | Feb 10, 2023 07:18pm | #8

   I saw a workbench made from hard maple. It was beautiful, expertly made by a full time woodworker. It reminded me of a beautiful dining table or sideboard, but with a really thick top. I can't imagine whacking on it with a mallet and chisel or dripping stain and glue over it. Mine is 3" yellow pine which pretty dense. It now shows a few years of use with chisel marks, stains and old measurements in pencil. I'm completely satisfied with it and can't imagine working on a fancy bench made of hardwood and having to always worry about nicks, scratches and stains.