Shopsmith Forums

bobgroh wrote: When I build my next bench, I will use regular fir 2x4's from the local big box store - make sure they are flat and square and untwisted and glue them into one big old top.

I hope that the stack of 2x4's you get to chose from is different than what I find in the Big Box.

dusty wrote:

bobgroh wrote: When I build my next bench, I will use regular fir 2x4's from the local big box store - make sure they are flat and square and untwisted and glue them into one big old top.

I hope that the stack of 2x4's you get to chose from is different than what I find in the Big Box.

Do you mean that by the time you flatten and untwist them they will turn into 1X 3's?

ChrisNeilan wrote:

dusty wrote:

bobgroh wrote: When I build my next bench, I will use regular fir 2x4's from the local big box store - make sure they are flat and square and untwisted and glue them into one big old top.

I hope that the stack of 2x4's you get to chose from is different than what I find in the Big Box.

Do you mean that by the time you flatten and untwist them they will turn into 1X 3's?

Not exactly what I meant. But same outcome.

I would not leave the store with lumber that I knew going in was going to give me trouble. If I need good lumber, I go to a lumber yard and not a Big Box.

I certainly would get the best quarter-sawn quality materials to start with as others have stated.

I know it's not the same thing, and yet it is the same thing, only different.

Through Eastwood.com, one of the companies I use for welding gear, I am leaning toward one of their shop table kits for a bench, that isn't a woodworking bench per-se. See http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-shop-table-kit.html

The steel brackets are laser cut and CNC bent for accuracy to produce parallel, plumb, square and strong connections that can be bolted, or welded if that's your need.

They show a 4x4 & 2x4 frame in the photo, but one can build them with tubing and angle iron. I have seen plastic ones (ok structural foam) that sell for the same price as these. These will hold up to some serious pounding that I just wouldn't do on my woodworking bench.

Everett

dusty wrote:

bobgroh wrote: When I build my next bench, I will use regular fir 2x4's from the local big box store - make sure they are flat and square and untwisted and glue them into one big old top.

I hope that the stack of 2x4's you get to chose from is different than what I find in the Big Box.

So do I! You do have to be selective. And you have to let them 'age' for a bit. You can get a bit sneaky and use wider 2x lumber and then rip those for your bench top - remembering that you are not necessarily going for a 2x4 but maybe a good solid 1-3/8 x 3-1/4 or some such. Or even a 1-1/4 x 2-3/4 or ... well, you get the idea. And, by the way, I don't necessarily find much better wood at the regular lumber yard. Although it is my impression that Lowe's wood is a bit better than HD.

I bought one of Christopher Schwartz's books on workbench bench design and construction, and he makes a very good case that Southern Yellow Pine (a.k.a. SYP) is a top-notch material for woodworking benches. The stuff is plentiful at the box stores here in the Midwest. The trick is to buy the widest boards available, say 2x12's. These of are, of necessity, cut from the center of decent-sized trees. Choose the cleanest boards, take them home, rip off the outer 1/3 from each side, and you have some nice clean quarter-sawn boards about 4" wide. Perfect for laminating workbench components.

Good idea on the 2x12's - you still need to pick and choose a bit but you can certainly get some nice quarter sawn boards that way.

Bob Groh

That's a great looking bench Terry. ...... and you're very welcome! :-)