Stable Wood For Flat Reference...

[Mike Cutler]

Just watched Ng's video on making a sled and he used a flat chunk of maple as a flat reference for the glue up of his fence. I'd like to make a similar fence, 4"x6"x30, out of a stable wood, but one that is not as pricey as maple. Any suggestions?
How long do you think this hunk of wood will stay true once machined?

It will stay flat for a long time as long as the humidity doesn't swing all over the place. I imagine that William just makes a reference, as he needs one, from a scrap pile.
Wood wouldn't be my choice for a long term, known, flat reference standard. Building a box beam, as Peter detailed, would be my choice for a "longer term" standard.

[andrew whicker]

could someone show a photo of a plywood box beam workbench? I'm having a hard time picturing what you are describing.

[stan shields]

Went to a granite counter top shop today and bought a 6" X 30" X 1.25" backsplash cutoff for $40. Looks to be flat enuf for woodworking, my precision ground straightedge looks great on it.

[Bradley Gray]

I have a bench that I use for most of my glue-ups - laminated maple 2 1/4" x 12" x 8ft. It is mounted on cast iron legs intended for a lathe stand.
Once in 30+ years i thickness sanded and refinished it, mostly to get rid of glue residue.

clamping crest rail.jpg

[Brian Tymchak]

I don't know that I would call it a workbench per se but I guess it could be. Here's the box beam I built to be a flat reference when I laminated pairs for my bench tops. 3/4" ply, 5" flange, 4" web, 8' long. I think that thing could hold up a vehicle.

PS: In hindsight, I didn't need 4" webbing. I could have done 2" and it would be just as good and likely easier to assemble.

[Jerry Wright]

Think bowling alley!

[Osvaldo Cristo]

My worst fear is when I die my wife will sell all my tools for what I told her I paid for them.

[mike waters]

Melamine on mdf

[Tom Trees]

Find a fire door in a skip, I suggest looking around hotel renovations for a nice slim one.
Good luck