quick question about timber sizes for workbench
Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / quick question about timber sizes for workbench
- This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 10 months ago by billstennett.
-
AuthorPosts
-
3 June 2016 at 8:58 pm #137588
Hi all,
I’m ready to start building a workbench based on Paul’s youtube videos but I did just want to check on the best dimensions of timber to use.
I know the advice in the videos and accompanying notes on Paul’s blog were based on what you could easily get in the Big chain homestores (B&Q, Wickes etc in the UK) but I do have access to a timber supplier who can mill to whatever size I need.
So, would a finished size 2″ x 4″ be too big for the bench tops? Would the 4″ benchtop be too think? Would I be better going for a 2″ x 3″ size?
Also, for the aprons and wellboard, is 2″ going to be too thick or could I use 3 off 2″x4″ for the aprons and wellboard.
I’m hoping to make the bench 7′ in length.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
cheers,
Bill
5 June 2016 at 3:39 am #137603Hi Bill. The answers to your questions depend on what you want out of your bench. You could go with anything you want really, just to get started. Personally I wanted a benchtop as thick as I could get it after gluing up 1.5 x 3.5″ boards (it ended up at 3 1/8″ after flattening). One thing to consider is that if I used boards thicker than 1.5″ for the top I would have had to make them very flat so they could be glued together. As it was, many of my boards were twisted badly and if they were thicker I wouldn’t have been able to clamp the twisted boards to non-twisted boards.
For the well board you really don’t need a thick board at all – could be a waste. For the aprons, 2″ thick is not too thick as long as the board is straight. But if there is a bow in the length it could be harder to clamp out with a thicker board.
Good luck. Let us know how you make out.
6 June 2016 at 2:26 am #137613I am with Matt. I used 2×4’s and when flattened, they where about 3 1/8″. I would not go with a thinned top if I do it again.
8 June 2016 at 1:37 pm #137669Thanks all. I think I’ll be going with the 2×4’s – especially considering I’m bound to loose some when flattening the laminations which I hadn’t really considered!
@mattmcgrane – thanks for pointing out the possible issue of having to get the boards really flat for lamination as they get thicker. Since these are coming from a timber yard hopefully the’ll be close to flat and not too twisted. Otherwise I’ll be relying on my Stanley 5 1/2 and modest joinery abilities to get the tops made!Wish me luck.
Cheers
Bill
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.