16/4 vs glued up 8/4 for workbench?

[macpiano]

I'm thinking of building a workbench actually the one in Fine Woodworking. It calls for 3 1/2 inch strechers and legs out of cherry and maple top. I have enough 16/4 cherry in the basement to do the legs or a couple of the stretchers.

However I need to buy more. So am I better off to get the 16/4 to finish the rest or should I get 8/4 and do a glue up? Would the glue up be stronger than the 16/4 because of the slight lamination effect?

[Scoony]

I glued up 8/4 hard maple for my bench, but would have used thicker material if I could have got it.

[handi]

Properly laminated parts are stiffer and less likely to move than solid stock. Would you make a bench top from a single board if one were available?

With care in the milling and glue up process, they can also look as good. It is a workbench, so while it should look good, it does not need to be a masterpiece.

Just my thoughts,

Ralph

[jteneyck]

Lordy, 16/4 cherry must be just a bit expensive. I would buy which ever is cheaper, which is probably the 8/4. And as for which will be stronger, it's pretty irrelevant because either will be able to hold up the house. 3-1/2" square seems like an expensive an ill conceived approach for the stretchers. I'd be looking to use something like 8/4 stock around 6" wide. It will have greater racking resistance than something only 3-1/2" wide, and if you make it 7" wide it would have the same mass, and likely cost less.

John

[fredhargis]

jteneyck said:

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And as for which will be stronger, it's pretty irrelevant because either will be able to hold up the house.

John

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+1!

[macpiano]

I just called my local supplier and 16/4 is $10.95 a board ft. and 8/4 is $5.75. I only need about 14-15 board feet. Might as well go with the 16/4 even though it won't even go through the TS. I may have them plane 2 adjoining sides before I bring it home.

[brianwelch]

Is that pricing per board foot, or per linear foot? 15 board feet at 16/4 is less than 4 sf...

[Bibliophile 13]

It really doesn't matter strength-wise. Just figure out whether time or money is more valuable to you.

[DaveR1]

macpiano said:

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I'm thinking of building a workbench actually the one in Fine Woodworking.

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Are you referring to the Shaker-style Bench in the last Tools and Shops?

[macpiano]

Pricing is per board foot not lineal.

It is the Shaker workbench from the latest issue.