Utile for workbench

[The Welsh Wizard]

I want to make my first workbench as the ones I have inherited have started to get very rickety and was planning on making the top out of 4 sheets of laminated 25mm block board and the frame from utile.

I am a bit concerned about using utile as it is said to be not particularly hard, be fragile when struck and be very allergenic.

I am not sure whether the fact that it is fragile when struck will be that much of an issue as it is likely I will not be striking it directly.

The allergenic issue is not too much of an issue either as I can sand as sample and see if I have any reaction before buying the required quantity.

And finally i have seen softwoods being used for a frame so i presume it would be hard enough.

I have little experience so any advice would be helpful especially if i am wrong!

I will post plans as soon as I get them drawn up.

 

[OPJ]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It is true that you can use softwood for the frame - after all, it is the top which will receive most 'abuse' and that is really where the extra density of timber needs to be.

I've never worked with utile so, I cannot comment there. If you're anywhere near Box in Corsham then you could call in to Oscar Windebank some time. They're really helpful people, they are happy to let you pick out your own boards and they do stock many imported timbers, including utile. Vastern are also worth a look in the Wiltshire area. They specialise in locally-grown hardwoods and run two large sawmills at each of their sites (in in Calne, the other in Wootton Bassett).

If you did decide to use a hardwood for the frame then, you could consider species' like beech and ash. Both of which are relatively cheap and rock hard. Although I always the use of respiratory protection and good dust extraction at source, neither of these pose the same health risks as associated with some of the imported woods (mainly from Africa).

 

[Mr Ed]

I reckon Utile would be a good choice - its fairly dense and hard and not ridiculously priced. The traditional choice of Beech is also worth considering.

Ed

 

[wizer]

Utile will be fine for the base. I reckon it'd be fine for the top too. My only concern would be one of aesthetics, it would make the bench very dark. If you are concerned about it's toxicity, make sure you wear a respirator when working with it (not just sanding) and a blob of barrier cream on your hands. I've never had a problem with it (but I always use respirator and barrier cream).

 

[Vinny]

If you're anywhere near Box in Corsham then you could call in to Oscar Windebank some time

I just love this site, I live in Corsham and drive through Box at least weekly and didn't know this guy existed - thanks OPJ

Welcome to the site WW, Where in Wilts are you ??

Vinny

 

[OPJ]

I just love this site, I live in Corsham and drive through Box at least weekly and didn't know this guy existed - thanks OPJ

No problem.

Just so you know, Vinny, they're not actually down 'The Bassetts', despite what the address says - I made that mistake last time and ended up a dead end of old people's homes! Instead, take the left-turn [heading towards Chippenham] before that one, which is signed as 'The Wharf'. They're down there, with car park on the right. :wink:

 

[big soft moose]

If you're anywhere near Box in Corsham then you could call in to Oscar Windebank some time

I just love this site, I live in Corsham and drive through Box at least weekly and didn't know this guy existed - thanks OPJ

Welcome to the site WW, Where in Wilts are you ??

Vinny

I'd second that - i'm not that far down the road and i didnt know they existed either - may give them a try - though to be honest with vasterns in wb less than 4 mile away they are always going to be my first port of call.

there are a heck of a lot of wiltshire boys on here - we ought to organise a wilts bash sometime

 

[The Welsh Wizard]

Thanks for your advice I live just of Junction 14 of the M4 in the country side close to Hungerford, and Marlborough.

I have got it contact with tyler hardwoods They have been very helpful and I found are closer than Vastern and sell a greater range, as Vastern would only sell kiln dried first quality European oak in the dimensions I wanted.

The problem with other timber is that the bench will be in a shed which is quite damp and not well insulated so beech was not really an option

 

[big soft moose]

Thanks for your advice I live just of Junction 14 of the M4 in the country side close to Hungerford, and Marlborough.

I have got it contact with tyler hardwoods http://www.tylerhardwoods.com/ They have been very helpful and I found are closer than Vastern and sell a greater range, as Vastern would only sell kiln dried first quality European oak in the dimensions I wanted.

The problem with other timber is that the bench will be in a shed which is quite damp and not well insulated so beech was not really an option

WW your link is caught in the spam trap it will go after one more post, I was aware of tyler but didnt realise they sold to the public - i thought they were trade only

for info there is also the wessex sawmill (no website i'm afraid) which is just beyond great shefford as you go up the a338 from J14 towards wantage. ( edit: actually scratch that - i'm not sure they are still trading as the site is currently up for auction)

 

[The Welsh Wizard]

I have deleted the link just type tyler hardwoods into google and give them an email. They are very helpful.