Replies

1. 
   robkelly | Nov 13, 2004 02:51am | #1

   There is no operational difference  between the 2 thicknesses. Obviously the costs are almost identical.

   However, since you get to pick the present, the joy of watching your wife build the benchtop will be priceless.

2. 
   hammer1 | Nov 13, 2004 09:24am | #2

   How good are your skills? Do you have a joiner for straightening the stock before glue up? One issue may be your vice attachments, they are made for specific thicknesses. This can be accommodated with a thicker edge that is applied to the top or blocks under for the vice. I'd be surprised if you could buy the materials for the same cost as a manufactured top.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   cherryjohn | Nov 14, 2004 12:39am | #3

   Buy it....I did.  Built everything else except the vises and the top was perfectly flat and glued up nicely so that it hasnt spit at all in 5 years

4. 
   Jellyrug | Nov 14, 2004 06:47pm | #4

   Dave,

   Had the same challenge a year ago and could not match Grizzly price even close, if I had to buy lumber and make my top. You must have a special cheap source for Hard Maple?

   I went the Grizzly route and used their top to make my own. The final top was less than a days work.

   Photo attached.

   Jellyrug

   
5. 
   forestgirl | Nov 14, 2004 11:42pm | #5

   Some time back, one of our Knotheads was really upset when he received a maple top that was fingerjointed -- just wanted to mention it, in case that would be a problem for you.  I notice that Lee Valley now includes that in their catalog description.  Don't know about Grizzly.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)