Limiting the use of wood for my benchwork

I used these for cross pieces on a 8x12 ft layout Menards or other pro stud 3 5/8 drywall galvanized framing stud

The balance was 1/2 particle board (never again) and construction grade 2 x4s for legs

pro

easy to cut

natural channel for running wires

can be used as shelf bracket light duty

lower cost

Moisture  resistant

holds screws

con

bendy

sharp edges if I remember

Thanks Steve. I'm curious to know more about your "never again" for using 1/2 inch particle board.

Particle board warps, sags, and absorbs moisture and starts to swell.  That is more than enough reason to avoid it for your layout.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Particle board warps, sags, and absorbs moisture and starts to swell.  That is more than enough reason to avoid it for your layout.

Not only that, it doesn't take screws very well. Just my opinion but, the only thing particle board is good for is, the burn pit in the back yard!

What type and size of wood are you using?  You can use 1x3 for the benchwork and 1x2 for legs.

-Greg

There are several companies near me that routinely put out odds and ends lumber in free-for-the- taking stacks.  This has provided me with supplemental pieces for risers, braces and even 4'x6' plywood on occasion. You just have to beat all the other scroungers to it.  If your really ambitious you can salvage pallets as well but i found those are typically more work to take apart than its worth. Also, unless you plan on walking on top of your benchwork, you can reduce the leg and frame sizes down to 1x's as Greg mentioned above.

Depending on where you live Habitat for Humanity have thrift stores where they sell not just donated furniture and the like but they have lumber that has either come from their own projects or lumber contractors have donated that they didn't need. It is spotty, you never know what they have at the local one to me, but it is a possible source. sadly the cost of all construction materials has gone up, and while wood isn't as crazy as it was at the peak, is still pretty expensive. You could

Some places also have stores that sell lumber that comes from demolition, never tried that, but that might be a possible source.

“Re: particle board use

“The  burn pit in the back yard!”    No not even that;
Most particle board contains formaldehyde; a potent chemical.

The use of 1”x3 would also work to lower costs compared to my 2x4s. Also check the grade of wood. I used construction grade, and sanded off the rough spots.

I used shelf brackets to support the back side of a 27" wide shelf for part of my layout.  But you still need a frame to support the top, and it still is going to need some legs to support the front edge of it. Just screwing plywood to brackets is going to give you all sorts of waves.  So you're not really saving much.

Honestly, cheap out now and pay more to fix it later.  The price of lumber is what it is.  Build less layout or build it in sections if you cant bear the cost all at once.

Trust me, I feel your pain.  Been selling lumber at lumberyards for 35 years.  I just updated a quote for rough lumber I did in November for a good sized house that was $58,000, now it is at $118,000.  And the builder is building the house for a customer, was ready to go in for permit, now he had to go back and tell his client this.  Not much fun for me either, a box of toothpicks might set you back a hundred bucks. One sheet of 1/2" CDX Fir plywood rough both sides is $ 70 + now, was $15 for years, decades even.  I am planning on building a small standard gauge layout to get my guys off the floor and some room to run and I am going to scrounge every piece of framing out of what I have and can scrounge up.  Cutting a 2x10 into three legs etc.  Need 3 sheets of homasote, wonder where that is at now...  I'm afraid to find out.

I've done quite a few projects where 1x4 would normally have been used.  Finding good lumber was difficult and quite expensive.   My solution was and is to use good quality plywood, either 1/2 or 3/4 inch and rip it into 3 1/2 or what ever size I needed.   My circular saw and a Kreg guide made it easy plus the plywood is stronger and more stable.   I keep a piece of 4x8 foam insulation as base support when doing the cutting.    Masking tape on the cut line eliminates splinters.

Guys - Thanks for the feedback. I pulled apart some old benches and went through my bins. I think I came close to half of what I need. I can't believe I used to throw out this stuff and build with new. I'm kind of ashamed I did that now. I'm talking to a local builder to get permission to come on his site and scrounge for scraps.

Maxandy

Well now we know you will use your old used or recycled lumber do not forget wood being thrown to the curb side in most neighborhoods.  Find out what day is for garbage pick for large items that will not fit in the regular containers and schedule trips around neighbor hood on the evening before the pickup.  Keep a look out for other stuff at the curb like reels of copper wire.  You would not believe all the great stuff I have gotten from the trash.

Side bar:  I used some particle board called Bagas board, made from sugar cane residue when living in Jamaica, for the deck on my main train board 44 years ago and no issues with deterioration or bugs eating it.  It was stored in garages for 8 months for most years.  It was a lot quieter than the new board made from 1/2 plywood in the states later.

Charlie