Thread: Question for the traditional bench types.

Dan
This is the wood description for "shinning gum" out of Forest Trees of Australia.
(Sapwood susceptable to attack by Lyctus borers; heartwood straw-coloured or pale pink, straight grained, tough but relatively easy to work, not durable; density about 720kg m3, used for general building constuction, flooring, joinery, panelling, furniture and pulp for paper)


regards

Dan, see my previous thread on bench making (or Darrylf's). His is the "classic" model of bench whereas mine is more (whats the word for it???) "Cupboard like" ???

I used blackbutt standard grade and the whole top worked out to about $240

the rest of rmy thread details the whole constrcution process (with some sledging from the team thrown in)

I hope this helps me old ticket writer!

Originally Posted by Bruce Micheal

(Sapwood susceptable to attack by Lyctus borers; heartwood straw-coloured or pale pink, straight grained, tough but relatively easy to work, not durable; density about 720kg m3, used for general building constuction, flooring, joinery, panelling, furniture and pulp for paper)

So is that a yes or no?

Originally Posted by Monkeyboy

I used blackbutt standard grade and the whole top worked out to about $240

I hope this helps me old ticket writer!

Hey, I'm not old!

Zed, Why I ask is that I can build the whole bench (Frame, Legs and 65mm thick laminated top) for about $250.

IMHO there are some issues with shining gum, but I'm extremely predjudice against any class 4 timbers with high shrinkage characteristics, so here's the cold hard
Shining Gum (E. nitens) strength group 4 (ok I s'pose) Janka 5.8 (low hardness factor for Euc) medium toughness (only 3 classes) durability 4(at least it is rated many aren't).
So I reckon if you must use it at least it's indoors in a non flogging area

So even though no one is willing to say simply yes or no, I'm getting the impression of a vague 'no'.

I was originally thinking Vic Ash but that is softer than the shining gum. I'm going to start trawling the demo yard to see what I can get.

What about Red Gum? Too unstable?

Dan

Dan I wouldn't use Shining gum for anything other than carcases', but that's me I consider Sydney bluegum to be too soft and weak. My opinion is use Vic Ash if availiable.

But the Janka of Vic Ash is lower than Shining Gum?

What about Red Gum (recycled, well seasoned)?

Dan,

I used as you know blackbutt for the top and im very happy with it. its got excellent "bangability" as a fumping bench.

my carcase is made up of a mixed bag of blue gum, blackbut and some sort of redgum. its holding together quite well... the carcase timber cost me $10 (?) from a timber recycler and once I (and a mate) ran it through jointer / thicknesser it came up a treat. if you've got this sort of equipment i'm sure you can do the same for similar outlay.

so... no - if hairy palms Maculata says it aint the go (considering his experience in the timber mill trade) i'd be inclined to go with it.

by the way forgot to mention when I priced the blackbut the tas oak / vic ash(essentially the same type of timber I understand) was $500 odd....

cheers

Originally Posted by Zed

when I priced the blackbut the tas oak / vic ash...snip... was $500 odd....

Yup. My problem exactly. I'll have a look at the 2nd hand dealers and demolition yards when I'm next near them. (45 min drive)

Dan

Ok Dan just cause you hate obtuse answers this is my short list of personally preferred timbers for a benchtop.

#1 Grey Ironbark
#2 lignum vitae (fat chance of every getting any)
#3 Narrow leaf Red Ironbark
#4 Red or White Mahogany
#5 Spotted Gum (the grey coloured one)

Apart from the Lignum Vitae (dreams are free) the others are easily obtainable round here.
Dan check your PM inbox

Zed Maaate, how the heck did you know my palms are hairy, was it the references to "janka" hardness that gave it away

Thanks for the tips bruce and for the PM. I'll have to find a cheap supplier of one of them (or Blackbutt). There's a bloke flogging Grey IB and Blackbutt on ebay at the moment for what seems a fairly good price but only selling in packs, too much money for me, although I could find plenty of uses.

Dan

Just had a random thought Dan, Do we really need a traditional woodworkers bench to be harder than the materials we are shaping on it. My random thought reckons maybe 'tis better to ding the benchtop than the job at hand :confused:

I know I know I promise not to have anymore thoughts

Dan, some time ago I bought some Red Mahogany from Malcom Ward, he might be worth a try.
cheers
Barry

Hi Dan, I used recycled Jarrah from old trusses pulled down.
Machined up a real treat.
As solid a bench as you will ever find and I know it won't wear out in my lifet ime!
Regards Sandman.