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Hi guys!

I will be starting my first build...hopefully in March. I'm currently living in apartment so my build has to be in the balcony(outdoor). The upside of this is the fact that the weather(humidity/temerature) is really nice during April to November here in San Francisco Bay area. Of course there are many hassles such as taking the guitar indoor during the night and bring it back out in the morning. Also, the balcony is pretty decent size...about 200sq ft and majority of it don't get wet even when it rains due to having upstairs neighbor. I know it does not beat nice garage or shop but gotta do what I got to do to build.

Anyhow, I'm thinking of making me a work bench and wanted to ask few questions.

-What exact material for the top where guitar and it's parts will be laying down?

- I'm thinking of getting two plywood to glue together to make the top and getting me 4 square logs or bonding cut up playwood to make some legs. I'm thinking of attaching the legs to the top by getting some L shape metal plates where I can screw them together to join. I know this is not going to be pretty but I don't have the tools or skills to build me a nice one.
I'm thinking the measurement of the bench will be roughly 2.5' width by 5' long by 3' tall.
Do you guys have any additional tips to this project? such as hight of bench being too low to spend long hours, too narrow ? etc

OR should I forget all of the above and just head to IKEA and pick up a kitchen table for $60??? yes, they do have some for this price.

Thank you, David

A good cabinet grade ply is ok if you keep it free of junk like glue and splinters but I would also have a softer non mar mat you lay the body on as work and carve bracing on.

MP,

What is "mar"?

as in non-marring material like a soft neoprene, cork or rubber

To mar; to cause damage to surfaces as in scratch ding or chip

"To mar o, To mar o, I'll love you, To mar o!"

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I second Todd's utilitarian approach. Check out Frank Ford's bench on his http://www.frets.com site. The top is a couple layers of ply laminated with 1/4" hardboard. You can screw jigging and fixtures right to the bench and not concern yourself with tearing up anything. When the top is sufficiently nastied up, remove the hardboard sheet and replace with a fresh one. It has worked well for me thus far.