What type of wood is good for building tables? Both economical and structurally?

Question

This is for a materials class

Answer 1

Wood is fun :)

1) All hardwood (oak or maple are most common; bit more $ than softwood but still reasonalbe). Best~~

2) Hardwood top + Soft wood legs (pine, cider, spruce) - they can cheaper.

3) All softwood (i.e. laminated pine table top, available at Home Depot). Maybe cheapest, but not as durable.

Problem with softwood is dents and scratches. For dining room table top, soft stuff dents too easily. But for cheap application like outdoors picnic table, it should be ok. As for structure (i.e. legs and beams), softwood should be fine since pine and cedar are used in construction.

There should be more wood experts in "Home and Garden" forum. I am engineer but is amateur when it comes to wood.

Answer 2

Stick woth Hardwoods. They're considerbly stronger than softwoods. Oak & Maple are relitivly inexpensive.

Answer 3

if you want to impress all, use white oak.the materials will cost you $25
for a good sturdy table that is cheaper, use cedar.
DO NOT USE PLYWOOD, IT WILL GET YOU A C+ MAX