Greetings. I'm new to this forum. I'm looking to build a workbench and plan on laminating 2x6 pieces for the top. I don't have a lot of woodworking experience. Most of my woodworking experience has been with making bows and arrows, selfbows not laminated ones. So, I've worked with axes, froes, draw knives, Stanley Sureform, rasps and cabinet scrapers. My lumber has either been from trees I've felled or 1x2 red oak lumber from the home store.
What I don't know much about is dimensional lumber and how to prepare it. This is what I'm trying to learn. My question is about how to get to my 2x6s. I've read a few discussions on the website but I still remain uncertain what to do. Some information says rip 2x12s because it's better wood, perhaps more dry but comes from a larger tree. The lumber yard has 20' long 2x12s. They say 2x6s come from the same tree as the crappy 2x4s do. On the other side, I see recommendations to get the 2x6s because if I do rip the 2x12s they will go all crazy on me and I'll have a bunch of firewood.
I would appreciate some guidance on the best way to do this. The wood I'm choosing to use is Southern Yellow Pine and it's available at the local lumber yard. It's available at both the home store and the lumber yard but from what I'm reading on these forums I might get better wood from the lumber yards.
As you can tell, I'm quite confused. Thank you for your input.
Todd