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25th December 2018, 10:13 AM #1
Affordable Workbench Timber in Brissie
Hey guys, thinking of upgrading my workbench for a hardwood one of 100mm thick, something Roubo-style, probably about 1200mm X 500mm. Does anyone know which hardwood could be locally available in Brisbane/Gold Coast area that machines well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I'm originally from Canada so am not that familiar with the local timbers.
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26th December 2018, 02:44 PM #2
Wow, 654 views and no one can give me a recommendation on which timbers to use?
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26th December 2018, 06:25 PM #3
Most of the eucalpyts are cheap enough. I don't know what you mean by machine well. Ironbark is cheap dense strong as steel but you will want carbide tools to work it. I use a bit of bluegum just because I've got it laying around. Spotted gum seems popular aswell.
Remember Autralian hardwoods are amongst the hardest and densest in the world,so any of the eucalypts are going to be tough if you are used to oak and pine.
If you have a power plane you could probably buy untreated fencing stock and dress it yourself. Or ring around timber yards and see if they have anything laying around they want to move on at a good price. You can also get pallets off gumtree for free if you are willing to denail them and dress...
If you want more easily worked timber hoop pine would be a good choice. Cypress splits and I don't think it takes glue and finishes as well as some others.
2c..I'm just a startled bunny in the headlights of life. L.J. Young.
We live in a free country. We have freedom of choice. You can choose to agree with me, or you can choose to be wrong.
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27th December 2018, 05:01 PM #4Member
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- Feb 2012
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- Brisbane, Qld
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Built my bench out of "hardwood" from Bunnies. 195 x 45mm planks of redish/brown hardwood, very heavy and dense. Timber was rough sawn but straight and relatively easy to work . Am happy with the results.
Geoff
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28th December 2018, 08:19 AM #5Senior Member
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- Mar 2016
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- Melbourne
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Hi Phil,
My work bench is made from Vic Ash which is a pretty common medium density hardwood and easy to mill.
Matthews timber sells it around $15 per meter last time I looked but you should be able to pick up construction grade (not as clean - with some knots and some sapwood) for much cheaper. Checkout Bowens or Gumtree.
Tas Oak is pretty much similar mixed species hardwood.
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28th December 2018, 10:02 AM #6
Sweet thanks for the replies guys, gave me an idea of what to look for.
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8th January 2019, 08:50 PM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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I used 75mm redgum 'sleepers'
Took a few months to stabilise, weighs a ton (well a lot anyway)
I can hammer in the middle of the ~1500 span with almost no bounce.
Russ
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9th January 2019, 01:57 AM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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If you're not in a hurry I'd recommend going to a salvage yard and picking up some reclaimed lumber. In Perth the local salvage yard has lengths of Jarrah cheaper than the cost of pine at the local Bunnings.
Just make sure it doesn't contain loads of moisture or nails and you're good to go.
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