Cedar for a workbench?
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- This topic has 12 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 10 months ago by deanbecker.
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15 June 2017 at 6:15 pm #312953
I picked up some cedar at a really good price and I was wondering if it would be suitable for my workbench. Any opinions, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
I don’t see why not. The old-school days of the Ernest Joyce “benches should be of hardwood, preferably beech…” have been replaced by a realization that inexpensive softwood benches, made well, can last a very long time and serve their functions perfectly.
Paul’s famous Youtube video series on making a bench uses home center softwood, so if that’s suitable, no reason why cedar couldn’t work just as well.
Of course the standard caveats apply, you still want clear, straight stock, etc, etc.
15 June 2017 at 7:11 pm #312955After purchase I started having misgivings and recalled some warning I vaguely remember hearing about cedar being hard on planes, so I was wondering if there were any who had tried to use cedar and what I may expect.
15 June 2017 at 8:24 pm #312958Well for one it depends on what kind of Cedar you got, theres alot of em and they vary quite a bit in hardness and properties.
But as stated Softwoods can serve just fine though they obviously scratch and dent alot easier then Hardwood benches.
Just a matter of cost really, if you can afford it then go with Hardwood, for the top at least.
On the Legs it doesnt really matter if its Spruce, Pine or something like that.15 June 2017 at 8:47 pm #312962OK a quick look around some books and the web tell me that Western Red Cedar is, if the sources are true, even softer then Basswood/Linden.
I would absolutely NOT use that especially for a Workbench top, I’m doing some carving and Linden is super easy to cut and you can dent it with your Fingernails.
If red cedar is even Softer then i doubt you will have much fun with a Benchtop that gets dented and bruised all the time by just letting some pieces fall on it.You can still use it for the Legs or other pieces that wont be subject to direct contact with tools etc.
For the Top you’re better off getting some Pine or even Spruce though Pine is the better of the two.- This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by Philipp J..
[quote quote=312962]
If red cedar is even Softer then i doubt you will have much fun with a Benchtop that gets dented and bruised all the time by just letting some pieces fall on it.
[/quote]I have heard that said about softwood benches. The reply I keep reading is then:
If you drop your project onto your bench, and we agree that whichever of the two has the softer wood is going to get dented and / or bruised, which would you rather get damaged, your project or your workbench?
What I have not heard is the reply to that reply…Philipp, you’re a professional woodworker, is that a reasonable position?
15 June 2017 at 10:55 pm #312975English is not my first language so appologies if anything came across wrong.
True enough, yet theres softwood and then theres softwood.
Pine and Spruce works just fine as has been demonstrated.My comment was based on that Western red cedar ranks even lower on the hardness scale then Linden, and that wood already requires a sturdy finish on ordinary furniture, because it bruises so easily let alone a bench.
In my opinion Wood like that is just a little too soft, just not sure about it.
Since Pine, Spruce and the like are usually readily available ID just have to say usw that instead.Hope that clears it up a bit.
No, I agree with you, Philipp, I was just curious as to your opinion on that common reply.
Ultimately, it seems there are many factors.
Some beautiful, clear, red cedar is something I’d normally want to save for a nice project…some cabinets, a chest, or cut into strips for a canoe, perhaps? So I’d set it aside and use some fugly home center timbers for my bench. But if this cedar is all you have, or all you can afford, and it’s a choice between using the cedar or not doing any woodworking, well I’ll bet Paul would say to use the cedar and get on with your woodworking.
As Philipp says, the legs and such will be fine, so if you do end up using the cedar for a top, worst case you’ll be replacing the top in 5 or 10 years. Not such a big deal. A pristine bench top is certainly not a prerequisite for fine woodworking…here’s a screen cap from the chest of drawers series…take a look at Paul’s benchtop!
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You must be logged in to view attached files.16 June 2017 at 5:51 pm #313009Okay. Thanks so much for the good feedback, all of you! I will save the cedar for cabinets and such and get me some Doug Fir at Home Depot for the bench. At first I was excited about the cedar, then I had my misgivings and I am glad I reached out for advice. =o)
21 June 2017 at 3:43 pm #313103The western red cedar is just a tad softer than eastern white pine. I have a bench top made of pine boards bought from Lowes and it works fine. I do not have a problem with the dents and such. It is a workbench and it will get banged up. If it gets to the point where it needs replaced, I just go spend less than $40 and make a new one.
That being said, I would love to get my hands on a 12″+ 16/4 hardwood to make a bench top with. The weight would be really nice with a smaller bench.
21 June 2017 at 4:24 pm #313105It would be nice to get a great deal on some hardwood, but the reality here in Southern Oregon, USA is that Douglas fir is everywhere the least costly wood, and all the hardwoods suppliers are very expensive and have limited stock. So, after many great bits of input I am ready to proceed with Douglas fir, then I will use the cedar for something else.
Regarding the hardwoods, is there anyone near me who may know where I might have better luck finding a good selection of hardwoods without paying an arm and a leg?Thank you for all the input,
Patrick- This reply was modified 6 years, 10 months ago by patrickwright.
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