Thread: Aussie Wood Conversions??

By the way, I like the plans. Its nice and straight forward, although I wouldn't bother with the drawers, I find them a bit annoying under the bench, and there's always odd sets of drawers lying around (usually in skips or kerbside collection!)

I think it will also need some bracing to stop it racking - either a solid ply back panel or a couple of diagonal braces at the back.

And, if it was me, I'd use 90x45 which will give you square legs and make the sizing easy enough, but I'd use hardwood if you can afford it.

I'm keeping a copy of the plans as I might use them for my next bench!

rhancock thats sounds like a good idea, not very helpful people in thoes big places anyways. Does anyone in Adelaide know of any lumber/wood yards?

Have any of you ever thought about welding up the legs and frame and just using decent timber to make the top?

The reason I ask is that most benches I see eventually come loose at the joints. My Dad got me to build him one when I was 13 and even with bolts it eventually got the wobbles but hey I was a kid!!

Seriously, we have typical commercial square wooden benches in our woodwork room at school made out of solid timber and braced but every few years the joints have to be strengthened... last time, we used heavy iron brackets in the corners and that is working a lot better. This is why I am seriously considering making my own out of steel with a heavy wooden top...not traditional but.... What do you all think?

Chipman

i dont have any of the equipment to make the frame. i guess with a decent sturdy design it shouldnt get the shakes ?

If you're after 4 x 2 hardwood timber for a bench, try your local demolitions yard / 2nd hand building supplies place. There are plenty of old buildings being demolished and 24x 2 was common in the framing of these buildings. You can get well seasoned 2 x 4 hardwood reasonably priced if you shop around, but you must be prepared to denail it .

Originally Posted by Blazk

rhancock thats sounds like a good idea, not very helpful people in thoes big places anyways. Does anyone in Adelaide know of any lumber/wood yards?

Handypine 134 Frederick Street, Welland,(08)8440 1295
Not a true wood miller but a stockist

This looks like the place to go:
http://www.adelaideruralsalvage.com.au
and its only down the road...Thanks harry72 ill go to that one as well.

Hi All

Give this site a go

http://www.onlineconversion.com/

you can find a conversion for just about anything here


Cheers
Glenn

Went to http://www.adelaideruralsalvage.com.au today, they have so much wood its like being at the playboy mansion. Anyways, came home with 9 90 x 45 x 2400 for $30 beats bunnies and mitre10. They have a massive selection of pretty much everything. Defiantly worth a look if your down this way. Or you can drop in 3 streets away to my place and build me a router table :P. Thanks All