I decided to build this bench because I thought it would be an easy woodworking project to start with and plus I would have a nice tool for my workshop. It is all hard maple and the top is 2.5 inches thick. I built it from the ground up using designs I found in a woodworking projects book. I used nearly a half-gallon of glue when building the top and legs. The top really is beautiful. I hesitated drilling the dog holes. lol