A 2 x 4 workbench is an excellent woodworking project for both new and experienced wood workers. They are relatively easy to make. Many woodworking publications and Internet sites have plans and designs for them. However, when you build a woodworking bench yourself you need to think about more than just the basics. You need to know what you want to use your woodworking bench for, how big or small it needs to be and if you will be using any hand tools. These three factors will dictate what type of woodworking bench you need to buy or make.
If you are just starting out with woodworking this type of bench is not necessary. It is usually a good idea to start out with a simple woodworking bench top such as a square wood that has no planer and that is only needed for basic woodworking projects. You can add drawers to this type of bench later to store small tools and hardware. If you are going to use a hand saw later on you may want to choose a bench with a little bit of a slant to help you keep straight when you are cutting.
When building a wood workbench top with no planer at first it is important to know what kind of wood you are working with. If you are just starting out, it is better to use a soft wood such as pine. Pine wood is a light colored wood that is easy to stain and mold. A lot of woodworkers like to use cedar wood because of its ability to take dye well and to be left natural looking.
If you plan on using a router woodworking bench may not be required. routers can be expensive but some woodworking hobbyists may decide to invest in this piece of equipment to save time. If you are just starting out, it is usually best to build your bench with wood and not router bits or wood shims.
One thing to keep in mind is that the wood you choose should be pressure treated so that it does not split when you are drilling. The woodworking hobbyist should use a wood that they have had for years such as pine. It is important to find a wood that has been treated properly as some woods such as pine can start to change color or turn colors when exposed to moisture. This is not a good wood for someone that is new to woodworking.
Another wood to avoid are cedar wood workbenches because cedar wood swell and expands when it is exposed to moisture. This can cause wood workbenches to expand which will make it unstable. You should consider building a wood workbench with an extra strong board built right on the floor or even over a cement slab. These are two great options because there is no need for additional wood to set up the work bench on the ground. It is also nice to have the extra support of a solid wood footprint down by the workbench.
It is easy to find woodworking plans for these types of benches on the internet. Many of these plans will come with instructions and detailed pictures of how to build a top. Make sure that you read all of the directions so that you know what steps to take each step of the way. Many of the plans that are available online will be different from one another because they are all built differently. The key to building a quality woodworking workbench top is using solid wood and doing it right. The best woodworking plans will tell you exactly what type wood to use as well as give you a list of tools you will need.
The type wood that you will want to use to build your top is important. Oak, maple, walnut, ash, and beech are all good choices for wood for this type of woodworking project. If you are not sure which one would be best, ask other woodworkers that you respect and see what their opinion is. They may have a couple of recommendations for you to make. Once you have built a top like this you will be so proud of yourself and your ability to create such beautiful furniture.