Will a cheap 2X6 pine workbench last?

Just how durable is a construction lumber workbench? Let's see what 8 years did to it...
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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

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[StumpyNubs]

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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★


★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

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[raymondjoseph]

Finally someone said it. "It's a work surface not a dinner table". Holy moly. You get to a point where you think some of these work bench videos are made for a high class restaurants.

[stoojinator]

My great grandfather built a workbench out of pine. It was about the same size as yours. When he died, my uncle claimed it. For years it sat under a tarp in his back yard and was used from time to time as a potting bench. About 12 years ago I asked if I could have it. After getting it, I cleaned it up and it is working as well as it did when my great granddad made it back in about 1910. So pine will be fine if you don't bash it around.

[mducar]

Made this bench for myself. Got lucky and a 100 year old house was undergoing renovation and I salvaged enough framing lumber to build this. Works great!

[scottadams]

I was so excited when you built that bench! I had been woodworking less than a year, I was broke, and I was just trying to keep myself busy during a really horrible transition period. Back then, your "Old Timey Woodworking" videos were bread and butter for me. Thanks for the update!

[j_omega_t]

I bought your plans, but took a lot of liberties with them when I built my bench. I made mine from standing dead eastern white pines that I cut down on my property with an axe and bowsaw. I cut kerfs in the logs and chopped the joggles off with a machete, and then hand planed them (using a #7 to get a glueable joint). I ended up with 4x5's, and I milled the mortises & dog holes on their sides before the glue up (I left the bottoms round). Once I had the top, I put it on some sawhorses and used it to build the frame, but I used all mortise & tenon joinery on that. The reason for using hand tools was because I enjoy that more, and it was my exercise program last summer/fall. If I had run on the treadmill, I wouldn't have a bench. The only money I spent was on the glue. Thanks for the plans - they were very helpful!

[forresterj]

I'm a 40 yr old. Never got into wood working. Your videos make me feel like I could. Very accessible info. Thank you

[VaracolacidVesci]

Man I really love your detailed explanations and reasoning for the features in almost every video you upload. Im not very active on comments but I want to thank you for all your time and efford.

[bbasiaga]

I can vouch for this bench design. I bought the plans several years ago. I made mind from 2x10 douglas fir construction lumber since I didn't have any old stuff around. I let it sit a month or more as suggested. The bench still looks great, though its not quite as old as Stumpy's I don't think (close though). I used a vise screw from grizzly to make a leg vise, and originally had a pipe clamp end vise but have recently replaced it with the Twin Turbo vise. I skipped the square dog holes and the threaded rods going through horizontally. No issues with either of those. I am considering adding some dog holes to the other vise leg to use a hold fast to help keep long boards held to the bench for end planing in the leg vise. I matched the height of the bench to my table saw, so it can also be use as an outfeed table (I leave a gap between the saw and bench so any sleds with runners can still be used and I didn't have to cut runner slots in the bench). Finish is just danish oil - helps with any glue drops that are cleaned up relatively quickly. I didn't do a wooden cabinet, but I did put some plastic drawer sets and some other tools and cases underneath. It adds weight, but it was stable enough on its own in my opinion. I also have the heavy duty work bench casters on this so it can be moved when needed.

In a normal lumber price environment, this is very inexpensive bench with all the features of the fancy ones. The money saved over hard wood can literally buy a floor standing power tool. I am considering adding some dog holes to the other vise leg to use a hold fast to help keep long boards held to the bench for end planing in the leg vise, and maybe even a tool well on the back side.

For a working bench, I don't think anyone would be disappointed. Just know it will get some dings on account of being made from softer wood.

[dennisallen]

I built one very much like this in 1980. Multiple houses and shops later it is still my main work surface. 2x6 frame, 4x4 legs, and 2x10’s laid flat for the top. Every few years I tighten the bolts that hold it together, smooth out the top a bit with a long plane, and give it another dressing of linseed oil. Height matches my table saw. Quick mounting system for my miter saw. She’s been a good partner! Love your channel.

[richardhouse]

Digging the disc golf basket in the background and always appreciate the great content. I find well used workbenches are a living, , changing thing and I never shy away from modifying mine sometimes dramatically) or denting it, or putting new holes in it. It is perhaps the most flexible tool in the workshop though I have friends that seem to be afraid of even scratching theirs!

[alphafert]

So you are saying I wasn't procrastinating, I was letting the wood dry🤔

[hansangb]

I used two 3/4" plywood for the top and it's served me well. I did put poly on it just so good glue can be wiped off. And 100% agree on "it's a work surface, not a dinner table" As always, very informative video

[manny.u]

Cheers from Tijuana/San Diego; I built my bench from 3×4s that the lumber were cut in 1901 it was 58 years old and it spend 25 years in the shade, when I got them in 1984 for free, from an old man. He kept a log for all the wood he had And until now It's still rock solid, I din't use any glue just dove tail joints, I wish I cud send you a picture of it, It even has a name ( Tantor) cos it looks like an elephant skin, scratches, cuts, stains, but all the furniture that I have built on it it makes it priceless. ¡Take care and stay safe!

[watermain]

Great update James. Thanks for letting us know how it held up. I'm thinking about building a new bench for my shop since the one I'm using is one I built "on the fly" with no real knowledge of what I needed and no real idea of what I was doing.

[BillyVandergaw]

I'm new to your channel, been watching your videos for a couple months now. I enjoy your straight talk about the processes, tips and builds. It's nice to see a wood working channel that goes straight into being informative expertise without much filler. Your videos are so well planned out and explained, and I'm amazed at how sometimes you can talk straight into the camer with slow and steady uninterrupted wisdom! So you're a very awesome teacher, and I appreciate that alot. Some channels treat youtube videos with gimmicks, but you treat it like you're on a show that's meant for beginners and pro's, which I like way more. Thank you!

[williamarrowsmiith]

I owe a great deal to Mr. Stumpy for the skills, tips and tricks I have obtained over the years from watching this channel. Absolutely brilliant teacher and craftsman.

[JustinG]

Love the disc golf basket, even have the same one

[rationalicthus]

I built my old construction lumber workbench around the same time you built this one. I took the time to joint and plane the boards, and it’s still square, flat, solid & heavy as when I built it. The shelves underneath store my heavier bench top tools (5” jointer, DeWalt planer, etc.) so it doesn’t move either. I’ve built my share of furniture and shop hardware in the past, and this is still my favorite piece. I’ll probably hand it down to.my kids some day, and it will be just as heavy and solid then.

[robinfisher]

Always interesting to see how old projects hold up.