I learned a new word this week. Not only am I allergic to formaldehyde, but I'm "sensitized" to it--which means it doesn't take that much to get a reaction from my immune system. I can't even tolerate a two year old unfinished piece of plywood or particle board in my garage (that I've previously stored it in a shed for two years). The recent heat and humidity probably played a factor, but that's not the point.
I just bought a house (with a garage) and I am now eager to build a workbench and build a few projects. I suspect I could probably build a workbench from some 2 by 4's or 4 by 4's. I'm not sure what to use for a top--maybe some "formaldehyde-free" plywood (I've never seen it in person, but I've heard it exists).
Whatever I put on top, I want to mound my medium size engineers bench vise on it for general usage--which means I want a bench that will hold things while I beat them with a hammer from time-to-time--ideally without the bench moving or other things flying off the bench. Maybe part of the trick there is to load up a bottom shelf, I'm not sure.
I have the book, "Build Your Own Custom Workbench" by Mark Corke, and on page 111, he builds a 7-foot "traditional workbench" using 2" thick maple boards for the top, and 7/8" thich poplar for everything else, but there are no lower shelves, drawers, or anything like that. I thought poplar was a "light" wood?--too light to support the hammering I mentioned above? I'm just thinking...
I would be grateful if anyone could provide me any advice or suggestions about what type of construction materials I might use for a workbench or any other comments that may be useful to me. I've waited a long time to have a workshop/garage as I moved from my parents house about 30 years ago and have been an apartment dweller until this month. It surely makes sense to invest some serious thought into my new workbench. At least I have more patience now than I did 30 years ago--I suspect my work will be the better for it! :)
Sorry for writing so much....
Thanks, Bill