I'm starting my first attempt at a real workbench and decided to go with a mini roubo since my 'workshop' is a one car garage I'm using a mix of two designs...the look from Popular woodworking 179 http://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp...Image_0001.jpg
but I'm using the double tenon and knock down wedged half dovetail design on the stretchers/legs from John Tetrault: http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/...oubo-workbench
I went with Euro steamed beech which I found for 2.96 a board foot at Reed lumber in Orange county, CA. Most guys in the San Diego area wanted 3.80 to 4.20 for it.
The downside is that they only had 8 footers and I seem to have a lot of waste....like 30%. Is that normal for hardwood project? I wasnt willing to compromise the dimensions to fit the wood.
I'm starting the top now...is there any good reason to make it a split top?