These brackets make an easy start to creating a log rack. They're wide enough to accept treated lumber, which tends to be a bit larger than standard dimensional lumber. I suspect untreated 2x4s will be a bit loose, but not so much that they won't be held firmly. Obviously, an outdoor device demands treated lumber in most climates, but indoor structures such as a workbench don't need it. The best part about this is that the long horizontal members assemble on edge rather than flat - that is, with the 3.5" side vertical and the 1.5" side horizontal, which is much better for carrying loads. The plastic alternative to these brackets apparently (from reading the reviews) does this wrong.