New Work Bench?

I would wonder if they will stay flat for you? I may my bench top from 2 sheets of MDF with a plywood top I can replace as needed, been 4 years and have not had to replace yet.

-- Retired from Active Duty

I agree with woodsoldier. it would be best to use your wood for the legs and support braces and find either some thick MDF or 1 1/4” plywood to use as a bench top.

-- Larry in Hawaii,

You’ll probably curse yourself for using a softwood as a workbench top. I’ve built plenty with PT and they don’t like to stay straight, especially if stored outside prior to use. Granted, laminating them would help.

Personally, I steer clear of anything pressure-treated indoors because of the chemicals. The formulations have gotten better (i.e., less outright toxic) in the past couple decades, but it’s still nasty stuff.

Douglas fir dimensional lumber is a good choice for a benchtop (if you laminate it) since it’s a little bit denser than the so-called Spruce-Pine-Fir dimensional lumber you can get at any big box store. It’s marginally more expensive than SPF as well.

-- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7SGTafXXXxKxYSfqp1UVTQ

MDF and rain…that would be a waste.

Titebond III and a double row of biscuits, Or dowels Or pocket screws.

Most importantly, don’t let a freebie turn into a large expense. Take advantage of what you have already.

Maybe run strongbacks perpendicular on the underside in three places. The wood is weathered already it may surprise you and not move too badly after your done.

Just my two cents.

-- "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what others say you cannot do."-Walter Bagehot

itn is going to be outside the malority of the time, the table its sitting on is my current bench, its getting real tired. im going to try to keep the cost way down but i figured it would be a decent top for my kinda projects, when i do get a workshop ill invest in something. thanks guys for the input