We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
When working with construction grade timber, aside from the knots, you’ll more than likely find “eased edges.” You could be concerned that things won’t look good, or have fears about less-than-perfect glue lines or the like. My thoughts are to accept what you have and turn things to your advantage; on a workbench project, they won’t matter one bit if you go with the flow. Because I enjoy working by hand it does not mean I like working for the sake of it. I still like to have the illusion I’m being effective.
So on that basis, I’ve avoided making a laminated top and worked with the boards lying flat. Although the top seems thin compared to some designs, it’s still plenty thick enough – and even quite in excess of some old benches I’ve seen
The other benefits of eased edges are that the arris is already removed for you; that means protection for your hands when you’re working and protection for your bench when using it. If you’re having to build from sawhorses like I have chosen to do, the rounded edges where two boards meet prevent your eye being drawn to the glue line that ultimately will not be perfect. So like many things, it’s about using things to your favor and changing perspective – all of a sudden, things can seem so much better.
— Graham Haydon
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
