suitability of ash for bench

markturner · 30 Oct 2013

Hi, I have ordered a benchcrafted set of hardware to make a Moxon vice and mini bench extension for my workbench, to try and alleviate my backpain.......I ordered the wood to make it out of to match my bench, which is beech, but they have sent me ash instead. I wondered what your thoughts were regarding suitability ( hardness being the main consideration..) If its going to be OK< I might keep it, as its got a very nice grain and looks great.

Cheers, Mark

Sgian Dubh · 30 Oct 2013

Ash is suitably hard for a workbench, so from that point of view it's no problem. What might be considered a slight disadvantage is ash's open pored coarse texture because of the tendency for the open pores to collect dirt, bits of glue, finish, etc, and a slight tendency therefore to make periodic cleaning up of the surface perhaps slightly less easy and successful than cleaning up beech or maple, both of which are diffuse porous woods and therefore smooth (and popular choices for work benches because of those qualities, as well as their pale colour, weight, stiffness, and hardness.)

The slight disadvantage I've just mentioned wouldn't be enough to stop me making a bench if that was the only material to hand. I've worked on benches made out of all sorts of materials, including ash, and other coarse woods such as oak, and I've never found them any real bother. Slainte.