Thread: New Rhodesian Teak Work Bench

Howzit brett

I just moved from south africa to aust...
Im also building a work bench have a look into these 2 books as a guide by Christopher Schwarz

• Workbench's from design and theory to construction and use

• The work bench design book

This helped me alot to what bench to make and designs..
Build your own bench.. good commercial / tradition workbench will cost more and harder to find..Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Australia | Roubo Workbench

Thx for the reply, I will for sure look up those books, have you used Rhodesian Teak before ?

Well, I have gotten a line on a Martlet 10" tsc-10L table saw.

Its a 2nd hand one with a 2hp motor, 700mmx900mm top with a router hole.

I am really keen on this model since its a good price at R2500 even though its a few years old, it also uses a induction motor on a v-belt, also weighs around 104 KG.

If I need to buy a few new spares I am okay with that.
What do you guys think.

Don't think we can help with the Teak - not commonly available in Aus
But the pictures on Google look interesting

My only comment on a slab would be possible movement - does the teak commonly bow, twist etc - we like our benches flat

Can't comment on the saw - try the tablesaw area of the forum

and welcome to the forum

As far as I know it does not twist due to nature of the wood, its used here as railway ties, or used to be they now use concrete, from what I have read you have to drill the wood to screw it or it just spilts.

Originally Posted by Annihilator

I have a Few questions, first off has anyone worked with Rhodesian Teak (Baikiaea plurijuga) before, I can get a blank of 2100mm,X150mmX50mm for around R220 (AUS $ 31.60)

I was thinking of making the top of 2100x900x50 From the Rhodesian Teak and using a slightly cheaper hardwood for the legs, or I can go the whole hog and build the entire thing out the teak.

First off Brett, hi and welcome.

That is a BIG chunk of timber. How dry is it? The thing with something that size is that it takes a long time to stablize. If you use it and it is still drying, you will end up with a banana for a bench top.

Further, although light brown to begin, Rhodesian Teak darkens as it ages. That should look terrific for flooring, which is a big use, but if I were planning a new bench (especially for hand tools), it would be a light wood. Easier to see, more light reflected. Save the teak for something special.

Regarding the tablesaw, I Googled it and see that the prices range from R2500 - R7500. At the lower end it seems a decent price. At the upper end it would be quite expensive here.



The newer model ...



We have a similar machines available here in Oz. They are all out of China.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thank for the Advice, I have found a place that does sell old rail way sleeps made african hardwoods, now they are 2100mmX220-250mmX120mm and you get different grade of them as well.

Also concerning that table saw it is the older model but he has replaced the fence with an aftermarket fence that cost around R700 or so, I am hoping to pick up the machine this weekend. Although Moving it going to be a tough Job.

I would keep the old sleepers for the garden. The grit and mess in those old sleepers make them not worth the effort.

From what I have spoken to the ppl that do sell those sleeps is that that they have different grades of them from A+ to C and the A+, A-,A grade of wood is good enough to make Furniture out of.

Although I would like to Make the bench out of the Rhodesian Teak, as its a very hard wood and very nice to look at as well.

I was think of a Top of 50mm Thick is that thick enough ?
Top 2000x750x50
Legs 800x125x100
Crossmembers 2000x125x25mm

Those are the basic sizes I am looking at for the bench, All the timber is klin dried. Wood Denisty is 960 kg/m3 when dried.

How would I work out the weight for the bench top and I would the bench to moveable as well, if possible I would like the bench to be a bolt on, as I am renting my current house.


Thank you
Brett

Originally Posted by Annihilator

I was think of a Top of 50mm Thick is that thick enough ?
Top 2000x750x50
Legs 800x125x100
Crossmembers 2000x125x25mm

How would I work out the weight for the bench top and I would the bench to moveable as well, if possible I would like the bench to be a bolt on, as I am renting my current house.

Are you planning on putting the bench up against the wall or having it in the middle of the room so you can walk around it?

I'm no expert by any means but one thing I have learnt the hard way is that having a top 750 wide makes it rather hard to use the rear edge for clamping or the wall behind it for storage as it's too far to reach over. Most of the workbench books tend to recommend a width of around 450-650. By dropping the width down you will save a heck of a lot of weight and there's a chance that the bench may be moveable.

I'd aim for a 600mm (24") width.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Mark's comment on grit and stuff in the recycled timber is correct, so think about giving it a 'scrub' with a belt sander with 60 or 80 grit belt.

Thanks for the replys, I am thinking the 600 will be a good idea and I walk around bench will be good.


Any suggestions on what kinda bolts or screws I should use for bolting the top to the legs ?

Well I bought the Rhodesian Teak today and it is very heavy, I will take some pictures a bit later I will also post my plan of the bench as well.
After the planning here are the sizes.

Legs 800x90x90 x 4

Top is 2000x600x45

Feet 700x110x38 x 2

Supports 1700x110x25
540x110x25 x 2