Thread: Timber For Benchtop

Pine is ok for a top provided its not got too many knots. The vic ash may be best kept for a more fitting project as laminating for thickness may leed to movement problems. You could rip it into strips and laminate it to get the width and it would make a fine top that way but to me a workbench is a functional thing and I would keep the better wood to make things. If you have a thicknesser I would suggest a split top so you can stick the 2 halves through the machine and save a lot of work. My pine top is still fine after 8 years and should see me out.
Regards
John

I would consider saving your nice timber for another project and just use cheap structural pine and skin the face with ply or MDF that can get replaced when it is looking tired

Hello
I'd say the answer to your question would depend on the work you're doing,
if you have/plan on a good surface planer in the shop,
and whether you have the space for another bench for rough stuff.

My bench is my surface planer as I spend a lot of time laminating reclaimed, and gets treated
quite well compared to most folks benches.
I'd use the ash, as it would make a decent hard surface and a lovely bench.
Have you enough, if you decided to radially cut the timber instead?
Might not stay flat otherwise.

Tom

Thanks John

I have read good and bad regarding pine as a top. There is a few knots but I would be able to keep the majority yo the underside. It's good to hear yours has held up well for 8 years, gives me more confidence in pine over the more expensive ash. I do have a planer and jointer so split top was my plan for the top.