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Hickory for Workbench Top

Hickory for Workbench Top (post #161647)

Seminoles on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 21:02

Workshop

I am finally building a real workbench and am contemplating what to use for the top. I can get a good deal on 8/4 Hickory .60 bf. Curious if anyone has built a benctop from Hiickory or if anyone had any thoughts on why not to use Hickory?

Thanks

go for it (post #161647, reply #1 of 5)

by RalphBarker in reply to Seminoles [original] on Sun, 02/06/2011 - 07:38

At $0.60/BF, I'd say go for it. Assuming, that is, it's good quality stock, as opposed to "rustic" (with voids, knots, etc.)

Hickory for workbench top (post #161647, reply #2 of 5)

by McKinneyMike in reply to Seminoles [original] on Sun, 02/06/2011 - 09:19

Nothing wrong with hickory for a workbench top. It is supremely dense. Go for it!

Michael Mastin

McKinney Hardwood Lumber

www.mckinneyhardwoods.com

weighty (post #161647, reply #3 of 5)

by BruceS in reply to Seminoles [original] on Sun, 02/06/2011 - 10:53

Well you will certianly have a hefty top. It will be worth the effort.

Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

Bruce S.

Good'n Strong Hard Stiff (post #161647, reply #4 of 5)

by roc in reply to Seminoles [original] on Sun, 02/06/2011 - 14:37

All the right characteristics I would want in a bench. Two thoughts from the arm chair / library column of this woodworking out fit . . . :

1. Might be kinda slick ; no big deal.

2. From reading Krenov I learned hickory may be best coated with these; in order of preference first = best :

Nothing
Hard wax
Well thinned shellac. One lb cut or even thinner.

Oil tends to make the surface look sickly and unattractive.

Welp that's all I got here.

Making your own REAL work bench eh . . . you are a brave, brave man.

roc

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

I've heard hickory is a bit (post #161647, reply #5 of 5)

by DonStephan in reply to Seminoles [original] on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 18:21

I've heard hickory is a bit hard to work. Should make an excellent bench top, you might get a small quantity and mill it a bit to see if it will cooperate. Don't know how it will plane, whether you desire power or hand tools.