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26th May 2015, 04:06 PM #1Intermediate Member
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Is Kauri suitable to for a workbench?
Hi all, can anyone with experience advise if Kauri timber pleaes advise if they think it would be suitable for a workbench? i am tossing up between Tas Oak, Vic Ash & Kauri, leaning more towards Kauri as it is cheaper.
Opinions?
Regards
Ben
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26th May 2015, 04:21 PM #2
If you mean, Agathis australis, then I reckon that should be fine. I reckon the slightly softer timbers, if they are stable, are good for a bench because they don't damage tool edges as much. Also, a softer timber can be easier to make the large joints you need when attaching legs to the benchtop - if you are making a Roubo-style bench.
But the most relevant consideration is whether you can get nice large slabs of it at a good price. If so, then that's a good wood to make a benchCheers
Jeremy
If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly
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26th May 2015, 07:04 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
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It's my timber of choice for bench tops, as most of my work is in cedar, I prefer a soft surface to work on.
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26th May 2015, 08:29 PM #4GOLD MEMBER
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It depends on what kind of work you do. I have a heavy workbench made with Tassie Oak that is perfect for heavy work with metal or anything that needs a good thump! I have an engineering vice on it. But if you are making hand cut dovetails and beautiful detailed work in soft timbers then Kauri is good. It was used for generations of kitchen tables and kitchen dressers for that reason. European Beech is commonly used for cabinet makers workbenches sold all around the world for a similar reason and that is what I use for handcraft work.
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26th May 2015, 08:55 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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Where can one get kauri, I'd like to get some, especially NZ Kauri
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27th May 2015, 12:45 AM #6GOLD MEMBER
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Just the other day while tidying the wood shed I found some Kauri I stashed away (not sure where it was grown) and wondered what I should do with it. Still wondering. It was an opportunistic buy at the time, 15 years ago. Its in big dimensions, similar to sleeper sizes, but not in long lengths. Its a lovely uniform, easy-to-work timber with little grain stucture to worry about.
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27th May 2015, 08:25 AM #7
The work bench I made was from Pine and Oregon that I picked up from garbage collection. The top is already damaged when using the router to flatten the top. The beauty of having a work bench is to use it as a tool in the garage.
I do enjoy working with Kauri as I find it easy to cut and plane.
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