Thread: [Beginner] Should I steer clear if extremely dense timber?

It's probably two benches now:

The first bench will have my jobsite saw and router integrated, this is definately going to be pine, storage on the sides.

The second bench is a more traditional "beefy" bench with vises. Something like the Sjobergs Nordic. If I did use costly hardwood for the top then I'm not sure how I could convince myself to drill heaps of dog holes in it (turning a significant percentage of the hardwood top into dust), maybe I'll make it quite shallow and have a vice on every side.

All my benches are pine. Its cheap, easy to work, easy to redress when needed and glues well. These benches are 30 years old and used daily.
IMHO there is no advantage in using treated timber for a bench to be used under cover.
If bugs are of concern you will be glad to know that the Lyctus borer doesnt like radiata pine and termites dont like to move into a residence that is subject to vibration, very clever little engineers these fellas.
If it is clear pine you are after you will need to look at furniture grade but that will be dearer than f5 pine. You should be able to pick out some decent sticks to suit your purpose by hand selection. I wouldnt be worried about small, fully enclosed knots but large ones are going to be less than desireable.
The whole bench can be made from 90x45. Top glue laminated on edge to form a 90mm thick slab, Legs glue laminated to 90x90 or if you want to go heavy 135x90. Stretchers and cross rails 90x45 on edge.
I think you will find a bench made up of 90x45 laminations is going to be plenty heavy enough to withstand your onslaughts but if you want it heavier, add a tool chest underneath sitting on the stretchers. If that doesnt give you a hernia, nothing will.

@rthorntn, there are other threads (even my own long suffering build) where many things are discussed.

A peruse may be beneficial?

One find I did have is that Bunnings sell large hardwood panels very cheaply. These are easy to slice up into components and use for tops.

this is from this thread.....
YAWBT - My new workbench
YOUR workbench - optimum height?

-- Using a standard Bunnings panel of Beech ($109), Acacia ($99) or Merbau ($129) that is pre-made in 2200x600x26mm one can use TWO sheets and make this bench. Pine is also an option.

I built my bench from recycled building materials. Not one piece of timber in my bench cost me a cent other than the fuel to go and collect the bits. Maybe I got lucky getting all that for free but I often see suitable material going very cheap. Of course I could not have gone this route if I didn't have the machines to mill the recycled and very old, hard timber to the necessary dimensions.

Look at Facebook marketplace as a source of recycled construction timber. I see stuff suitable for a bench build every day at reasonable prices in Melbourne. It is probably the same in Sydney. Heaps of hardwood and Oregon pine, which would make a fine bench too.

All I bought for my workbench was the vise hardware, fastenings, a bottle of glue and the oil to finish.

Here's my build thread which might give you some ideas on what you can scrounge up without buying Snakewood.

Long-overdue workbench build

workbench.jpg

If you'd like a big piece of Rock Maple from the ex Top-Ryde bowling alley have a look at my post here (still available).

Steve

Originally Posted by woodPixel

One find I did have is that Bunnings sell large hardwood panels very cheaply. These are easy to slice up into components and use for tops.

Yep, I would recommend doing just this. The panels are dirt cheap for what they are and present good value

Originally Posted by rthorntn

... [Beginner] Should I steer clear of extremely dense timber?

Back to your original question.

No; you need to get experience with different types of timber - learn from your mistakes and make them as quickly as possible.

But I would advise you to stear clear of expensive timbers. Make something in cheaper timbers - pine is cheapest, panel boards from Bunnings, M10, Ikea, etc are also cheap. If you are really happy with something you have made, then consider replicating it with a more expensive timber.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

But I would advise you to steer clear of expensive timbers. Make something in cheaper timbers - pine is cheapest, panel boards from Bunnings, M10, Ikea, etc are also cheap. If you are really happy with something you have made, then consider replicating it with a more expensive timber.

This wisdom should be held up as one of the Woodworking Ten Commandments.

How often I see:

-- going to a woodwshow and seeing some beautiful exotic timber being displayed and some heathen heretic saying to Loving Wife how it would make a lovely cutting board
-- same woodshow, see a magnificent blank for turning being bought, and upon hearing the sales conversation "Oh, no, I've never turned before. Ill use this for my first bowl"....
-- Or at a woodrecycler (such as Thors here in Canberra) where some Nasty Socialite wants some 4000-year-old piece of heritage recycled timber for her outdoor deck.

GASP!

NAY! Build the first bench of inexpensive materials. The first project will take 30 times longer than planned, end up changed four times and will eventually be used for servicing the lawn mower or bashing nails out of some nasty found recycled mystery-wood. It will be brutalised (as its SO useful).

You will learn 100 valuable lessons, better put forward to building Version 2.


Makes me wonder why garages DON'T come which a good bench built in, just as kitchens have stoves/ovens.....

I deemed the Bunnings project panels such good value that I bought 5 or 6 of the karri panels to use and benchtops in my workshop.

Here are some old WIP photos and the completed bandsaw trolley (including my first ever set of drawers, excuse the poor alignment!)

IMG_20200815_143809.jpg

IMG_20200720_154219.jpg IMG_20200704_174511.jpg

Originally Posted by rthorntn

It's probably two benches now:

The first bench will have my jobsite saw and router integrated, this is definately going to be pine, storage on the sides..

When I built my work bench, I made my router table by laminating Lamipanel and MDF. Then seeing it is used randomly, I hinged it to the end of the bench to save space as the router is then under the benchtop.
If you do this, just remember to retract the router bit after use. DAMHIK.
Rgds,
Crocy.