Workbench Top Idea

bp122 · 2024-12-25T09:20:14+0000

Merry Christmas everyone!

I came across this listing and found it very interesting.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GPYppoiMx/

It's for reclaimed bowling alley floor which is laminated softwood (or even hardwood, can't quite tell but the grains look like softwood)

It's 60mm thick and looks flat enough to be worked on and made flatter if required.

I think with the cost of wood being what it is, this is a good buy for anyone looking to make a new workbench, especially an English style one where the thickness seems to be spot on!

Thought it might help someone!

Jameshow · 2024-12-25T14:50:10+0000

Sounds a good idea but not cheap?
3x2 glued up would be alot cheaper.

Inspector · 2024-12-25T15:25:16+0000

If your bowling alleys are made like ours they are nailed (a lot of) together, not glued. With all the metal in them you stand a pretty good chance of encountering it when sawing to length or width, drilling dog holes, or making any cuts to fit vices. Because they are not glued they aren't as solid especially if you remove any angle or strap iron that may be attached to the underside. The add says they are Heart Pine so a softwood. Personally I would pass on them. If you want a strip laminated top see what is available for kitchen countertops, Ikea used to sell beech ones. Or check out warehouse factory suppliers. Many sell finger jointed hardwood bench tops of various widths, lengths and thicknesses.

Ho! Ho! Ho!!!
Pete

Cabinetman · 2024-12-25T15:30:18+0000

Looks like Pitch Pine to me, they are normally made from Maple which would have been perfect.
Agree probably not the best for a bench top.
Maybe this was the base with the Maple removed?
You don’t have to follow the herd with a laminated top, 2” hardwood glued up side to side as in a tabletop is more than enough weight stiffness and resistance to bashing.

Orraloon · 2024-12-26T10:07:20+0000

If it were cheaper then perhaps worth a go but would have to check it out with a metal detector first. Pitch pine would be quite rare now. My pine top bench, whole thing, vice included cost about 25% of that. It was 12 years ago however. Nothing wrong with a pine benchtop as carpenters used that for hundreds of years. Display benches came along later.
Regards
John
PS: Actually just looked at all of the pics and looks like they have a layer of maple on top in some other pics.Still expensive however. There are wrecking saws around now that are supposed to cut through nails as well But I have no first hand experience with them.
Regards
John