Bench Top

[Gene Tereba]

Guys...

finally finishing up my pole barn workshop electricity and will be moving onto some other tasks:D

I really want to put together a new dedicated workbench since my old one will stay in my garage for household things and really not ideal. Question:

what is the ideal thickness for such a bench? looking at around 1.75-2 inches but curious thoughts?

Also, looking at something like maple butcher block. Any suggestions (other than Grizzly) for such a supplier at a good price. I note Woodcraft has tops on sale but not really width I want.

Ta

[Joe Shinall]

Look at Ikea's website in their kitchen department. They have butcher block fingerjointed countertops that are 1 1/8" and 1 1/2" thick. I bought 2 and glued them up on top of each other for my bench top. Paid like $59 for each. About 8 feet long x 26 inches I think. They are beech.

I had asked about these and was met with hesitation but it works great for me. It's hard and flat.

It was the cheapest way to do a solid top without much work.

[Mike Wilkins]

I have seen others use the IKEA butcher block tops and it seems like an economical way to go. Popular Woodworking magazine editors have used pine lumber from the local big box stores to make a really cost effective and tough bench top. Check their site for more info or go to the local bookstore and look for Chris Swartz's book on the workbench.

[Charles Wiggins]

I don't know that there is an "ideal" thickness. The thickness is generally a result of trying to make a work surface that is stable, durable, flat, and adds to the overall mass of the bench so it does not move under normal working conditions. Somehow that all seems to generally add up into the 3 inch or so range for a lot of bench builders.

Since you are considering a bench build you might want to look at a few books on the topic. I recently review Christopher Schwarz' new book: Book Review: The Workbench Design Book / Schwarz (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=150562). Tow others you may want to check out are The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Creating Your Perfect Bench (http://www.amazon.com/Workbench-Complete-Guide-Creating-Perfect/dp/1561585947/) by Lon Schleining and The Workbench Book: A Craftsman's Guide to Workbenches for Every Type of Woodworking (http://www.amazon.com/Workbench-Book-Craftsmans-Workbenches-Woodworking/dp/1561582700/) by Scott Landis.

Video: Build a 3"-thick Benchtop in One Hour (http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Video+Build+A+3thick+Benchtop+In+One+Hour.aspx)

Cheers,
Charles

[Thom Sturgill]

Lumber Liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1471) sells maple and cherry in 25" width by 12' length - 1 1/2" thick which is just a little on the thin side.

[Jerome Hanby]

Look at Ikea's website in their kitchen department. They have butcher block fingerjointed countertops that are 1 1/8" and 1 1/2" thick. I bought 2 and glued them up on top of each other for my bench top. Paid like $59 for each. About 8 feet long x 26 inches I think. They are beech.

I had asked about these and was met with hesitation but it works great for me. It's hard and flat.

It was the cheapest way to do a solid top without much work.

I've got one of the 73" x 39" Ikea counters that I'm planning on slicing in half lengthwise and doubling up to form my workbench top. Any useful tidbits you can share form your Ikea workbench experience?