Like many here, my goal is to build a solid maple top for a new workbench and I'm wondering how thick would be too thick. I've heard many wish their top was thicker but have any wished it wasn't so thick?
Let's assume I'm going to install a Veritas twin-screw vise, so to take that out of the equation. I'm thinking in the 30"w x 7-8' long and started out with 2" thick, then went to three or so. Then I realized that the 8/4 hard maple I have available is generally in the 5-1/2" to 6". Yes, I could go for one-half of the narrowest board but I'm exploring the idea of going really thick; perhaps as much as 5" since otherwise I'll have lots of narrow pieces of 8/4 scrap and it seems like I ought to consider leaving it part of the bench.
I'll start a second, related thread, on this in a minute.
Jim