Thread: Where can I get 1200mm x 600mm x 40mm hardwood slab

Originally Posted by gtr fan

Hi everyone,

I am trying to obtain a work bench top 1200mm x 600mm x 40mm thick and am wanting to use some sort of hard wood.

It will be bolted to a steel frame and over hang the edged by about 20cm either side.

I tried bunnings and North Shore Timber with no luck, however I did see some laminated pine at bunnings 38mm thick. How good is this stuff, would it tend to warp /
curl at the edges?

Thanks for any advice and help.

I think the solid slab would have a greater tendency to warp than the laminated piece would .

Originally Posted by Manuka Jock

I think the solid slab would have a greater tendency to warp than the laminated piece would .

Thanks for that. I might go for the laminated pine then as it is easily available and Bunnings will cut it for me.

Originally Posted by gtr fan

Hi everyone,

I am trying to obtain a work bench top 1200mm x 600mm x 40mm thick and am wanting to use some sort of hard wood.

It will be bolted to a steel frame and over hang the edged by about 20cm either side.

I tried bunnings and North Shore Timber with no luck, however I did see some laminated pine at bunnings 38mm thick. How good is this stuff, would it tend to warp /
curl at the edges?


Thanks for any advice and help.

Hey mate,
Try giving Anagate timbers in Marrickville a call - 9558 8444

One thing to remember is that you can't just bolt the solid hardwood to a frame - you need to allow it to expand and contract. Do a search on "attaching table tops" - there are some threads out there that can explain it much better than I can.
Another thing to consider doing, and this will depend on what tools you have available- buy narrower length of your desired hardwood and glue them up to create a large table top.
If you do decide to go down that path, check this thread out. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/ma...ep-step-61857/

I'm not sure how the laminated pine will hold up as a work bench. I think I know the ones your talking about - there wrapped in plastic at Bunnings? If you want to use a laminated top maybe look at mdf. Mr ply and wood always have offcuts or full sheets and can cut to size.

I think a nice solid hardwood bench are excellent though, it'll last you a very long time.

Andy

Thanks for that. I rang them and they do not sell slabs as such. I do not have the tools (or skills for that matter) to do a good glue job so I would prefer one piece.

I saw a thread on installing buttons, however given its going on a steel frame this would be a bit difficult so I will have to give this more thought.

Gtr ,
what is the workbench for ? What are you intending to do on it ?

Try looking for "s clips" , "z clips" or figure 8's for table tops.
If your using a laminate over say ply or mdf, you wont have to worry about movement. Only solid hardwood.

Another option is placing a thread in the "market place" forum under timber sales. Just explain what your after and someone might have what your looking for.

Andy

Its just a garage work bench for automotive purposes. I would like it to hold a bit of weight when required. Its on a ver sturdy moveable steel tube frame so I would like a suitable top.

Thanks Andy. Given what you said I will take a closer look at the Bunnings laminated pine.

Seeing as it will be getting oily , greasy , dented and dinged, I reckon the pine will be the one . It will be solid enough for that job.
Cheaper than the hardwood , and easily turned over or replaced when the time comes .
Give it a few flood coats of danish oil on both sides before you put it on the frame just to help liquid proof it a bit.

Thanks Jock.

Yep was going to oil, which should keep it in decent nick for a while.