Maple Bench Top - Chicago

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  • MBG
    Senior Member
    • Apr 2003
    • 945
    • Chicago, Illinois.
    • Craftsman 21829
    #1

    Maple Bench Top - Chicago

    Locally someone listed they have a few 1-1/4"x36"x72" maple table tops for $125. They are supposed to be cut to the wrong size for a customer and being sold at cost.

    Is this a bargain or not?

    Is this thick enough to make a work bench top?


    Thanks,

    Mike
    Tags: None
    • vaking
      Veteran Member
      • Apr 2005
      • 1428
      • Montclair, NJ, USA.
      • Ryobi BT3100-1
      #2
      I would not trust 1-1/4" to be strong enough to serve as workbench top without reinforcement. Most typical workbench tops are 1-3/4" thick. However reinforcing a top is easy. Just frame it around with about 4" hardwood skirt. Take a look at this workbench at LeeValley. It has smaller surface, but it has 1" top with the skirt.
      http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...04&cat=1,41637
      Alex V

        Comment

        • radhak
          Veteran Member
          • Apr 2006
          • 3061
          • Miramar, FL
          • Right Tilt 3HP Unisaw
          #3
          first check this out :

          http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93454

          a nicely built workbench for $179 with a 2 1/2" thick top. how i wish i had seen that before i built mine.
          It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
          - Aristotle

            Comment

            • TimInChicago
              Forum Newbie
              • Feb 2005
              • 55
              • Chicago, IL, USA.
              #4
              Originally posted by radhak
              first check this out :

              http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93454

              a nicely built workbench for $179 with a 2 1/2" thick top. how i wish i had seen that before i built mine.
              I've been wondering about that HF bench. I needed a secondary bench for cheap and didn't feel like taking the time to build one. Anybody actually seen one of these? I know you can't ask for much at $179 but just curious if it's worth it.

              As for the cheap benches - the Woodcraft bench was on sale last week (http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5961) for $120 or so. I'm sure it will go on sale again if you're not in a hurry.

                Comment

                • Flatlander
                  Forum Newbie
                  • Dec 2005
                  • 76
                  • Illinois
                  • BT3100
                  #5
                  Don't know if it matters to anyone, but I looked at the manual for the HF one, and it has a skirt around it. So the actual top is not 2 1/2", most likely around 1 1/4", maybe even 3/4". Is there a reason why it would have to be thicker than that? Subflooring in a house is only 3/4", and that hold hundreds of pounds per square inch. I have one workbench that is made of 2x4's and 1/2" OSB and never had any issues using for working on anything. I know if your talking an even surface that doesn't warp or bend much, then that is not the appropriate bench to be using.

                    Comment

                    • JJO
                      Established Member
                      • Jul 2004
                      • 135
                      • Illinois, USA.
                      #6
                      Not thick enough for a workbench top IMHO....
                      jerry

                        Comment

                        • lrr
                          Established Member
                          • Apr 2006
                          • 380
                          • Fort Collins, Colorado
                          • Ryobi BT-3100
                          #7
                          Maple Workbench at Sam's Club

                          Sam's has a pretty nice maple top workbench. Not really a setup for adding vise, but I'm considering just getting one for a good assembly table. The legs are solid, powder-coated metal. They also have a rolling cart with maple top that slides between the legs. These are going for $199.

                          I bought the previous model they carried for a table at work, and I think this one is better made (and I think it is longer).

                          http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=5&item=329601
                          Lee

                            Comment

                            • Tom Slick
                              Veteran Member
                              • May 2005
                              • 2913
                              • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
                              • sears BT3 clone
                              #8
                              One of the features of a good "real" woodworking bench is that it is heavy. the mass helps to keep it stationary. a while back in one of the magizines they actaully added sand to their table for mass.
                              Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

                                Comment

                                • ironhat
                                  Veteran Member
                                  • Aug 2004
                                  • 2553
                                  • Chambersburg, PA (South-central).
                                  • Ridgid 3650 (can I still play here?)
                                  #9
                                  Just an observation on the HF deal. The $179 is a $70 savings which offset the $12 S/H + $50 'overweight item' fee with $10 to spare.
                                  Blessings,
                                  Chiz

                                    Comment

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