Want to build a work bench - which wood and where to get?

[TheLordJohn]

Hello all.

I have average skills with my hands (oooo errr!) and wish to make a workshop bench as my Christmas Leave project.
Can anyone suggest a decent wood to use and where to get loose wood from (without paying a fortune) ?

Thanks in advance, Stuart.

[ch427]

i knocked one up from some 4 x 2 and a worktop from ebay, its against a wall though so if freestanding this may not work for you.

[steveo3002]

try a local no name builders merchant rather than a diy store

id imagine hard wood would be the better choice but depends what you want and how you will use it , a stout frame with a replacable top might be a option

[TheLordJohn]

Thanks for the replies, gents.
I've got a Snap On maple top on my toolbox at the minute so I was thinking of using that as the bench top.
I will try and find a local builders merchant then!

[ouch]

Railway sleepers if you can get hold of them.

I used 18mm marine grade ply on a bench I built a few years ago. In hindsight I'd probably top that with a sacrificial layer of 6mm after an unfortunate incident with some brake fluid.

[williamp]

Yes railway sleepers. Just be careful as some could leak creasote. You could also do the sacrifical layer. And get some steel angle iron for the edges. A hard edge with a known 90 deg edge can be very useful.

My dream workbench (yeah i know....) also has a flat metal plate on on side which is magnetised. So thats where you put screws, etc and they dont roll away. And an edge round the sides/back so things dont get lost

And plenty of light. Including a good desk lamp.

[DrDeAtH]

Kitchen worktop on a frame of 3x2, or even just kitchen base units. This will give a sturdy workbench

[996TT02]

IKEA kitchen worktops cost only £30 to £35 for the average stuff. Way to go, imho.

Rest, you can buy any 47x72 rounded edge pre treated wood of the type that is used for studwall construction, cheap and very convenient to work with. You will need 4x100 screws and you are done in a couple of hours.

[tr7v8]

Depends on use but mine is fence post around 100mm Sq, with 18mm ply gussets. Four uprights in the corners (around 11ft long)then a rectangular frame of the same horizontally supporting the work surface. All 1/2 lappe, glued & screwed. Worktop is a piece of 40mm kitchen worktop from Wickes which came at a good price as it was damaged. Have a 45 Degree brace near the vice back to the wall for support when I'm pounding 7 bells out of something, like a wheel bearing!

[V8RX7]

Depends how strong you want it.

Timber merchant if you want special / massive sizes.

But Wickes is ok if you want to use CLS (planed 3x2) - their other timber is expensive though

[robinessex]

Spotted neighbour having new kitchen supplied. Only to happy to let me have the old one. Screwed the base units together, and put either side of the garage. The old top went on one (3mtr long). New 3mtr (damaged) top secured from DIY shed for £15. Wall cupboards went up. Now have 2 super benches with storage, plus wall storage units. Cost about £25 in total.

[Monkeylegend]

ouch said:

Railway sleepers if you can get hold of them.

I would try a local branch line overnight. You shouldn't be disturbed.

[TooMany2cvs]

V8RX7 said:

Depends how strong you want it.

^ THIS

What are you planning to do with it?

Once the new garage is built, I'll be using the need for a decent workbench as a "learn-to-weld" tutorial. 25mm box frame, and a thick steel top. BUT - it can reasonably expect to have engines and gearboxes dumped on it... If it's not going to get that abuse, then CLS and ply should be just fine. I do like the idea of a sacrificial top layer.

[mebe]

Depends what you'll be using it for. I have a reclaimed school chemistry bench with a teak top. Not for putting engines on mind.

[TheLordJohn]

Well this had gathered ten times the replies I had originally anticipated.
Some of you are really into your workbenches! Lol.
It'll need some strength to it as I'm a mechanic by trade so I'm always fancying on with something heavy and metal.

Thanks again all, Stuart.

[SEE YA]

ouch said:

Railway sleepers if you can get hold of them.

I used 18mm marine grade ply on a bench I built a few years ago. In hindsight I'd probably top that with a sacrificial layer of 6mm after an unfortunate incident with some brake fluid.

+1

[Escort3500]

Mine consists of sleepers supported on blockwork with a 12mm thick marine ply top covered with 6mm thick rubber matting . Works great.

[Agrispeed]

Good excuse to buy a welder?

You can get a arc welder for £60...

Metal is actually suprisingly cheap too!

[Easternlight]

Don't know why so many people are suggesting railway sleepers??
They're MASSIVE things, eight feet long by 10" x 5" and as hard as granite.
If you built a bench using them it would weigh about 2 tons!!

[Condi]

Escort3500 said:

Mine consists of sleepers supported on blockwork with a 12mm thick marine ply top covered with 6mm thick rubber matting . Works great.

Rubber matting on top?!

What happens when you hit something? Surely all the energy would travel into the rubber rather than being used to move said object. Sounds like a bad idea for any kind of metal or mechanical work IMO.