I am about to start building shop cabinets for my basement workshop using plans from an old ShopNotes magazine.
My workbench will be a U shape with a double/triple/double configuration using two corner shelves for my drill press and bench grinder.
The plans call for the cabinets to be built from MDF and Douglas fir in standard 2x4, 1x3, etc sizes. I plan to buy most of the materials from HD as I have gift cards to use. HD doesn't carry fir, so when I priced everything today, I substituted utility grade SPF for most of the framework and #2 SPF for the doors and drawers. Even with downgraded lumber, the materials for my large cabinet system still totalled around $750. I am on a very limited budget, so I can't afford much more than that for a workbench project. My question is around the fir. I have never bought or used fir, so I have no feel for its cost compared to framing lumber or clear white pine. I can sort through the utility grade piles and get pretty good stuff, but what benefits does the fir give me? From the magazine pics, I assume that fir is a fairly clear wood, but is that all? Is it stronger or better in other ways? HD doesn't have all the hardware I need, so I will have to go to a real lumber yard for a few things. Should I buy fir for the visible parts, or stick with the SPF from HD?
My workbench will be a U shape with a double/triple/double configuration using two corner shelves for my drill press and bench grinder.
The plans call for the cabinets to be built from MDF and Douglas fir in standard 2x4, 1x3, etc sizes. I plan to buy most of the materials from HD as I have gift cards to use. HD doesn't carry fir, so when I priced everything today, I substituted utility grade SPF for most of the framework and #2 SPF for the doors and drawers. Even with downgraded lumber, the materials for my large cabinet system still totalled around $750. I am on a very limited budget, so I can't afford much more than that for a workbench project. My question is around the fir. I have never bought or used fir, so I have no feel for its cost compared to framing lumber or clear white pine. I can sort through the utility grade piles and get pretty good stuff, but what benefits does the fir give me? From the magazine pics, I assume that fir is a fairly clear wood, but is that all? Is it stronger or better in other ways? HD doesn't have all the hardware I need, so I will have to go to a real lumber yard for a few things. Should I buy fir for the visible parts, or stick with the SPF from HD?
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