Bench Legs

[Otis1]

I am building an entry bench for my parents new house. 

They lost our longtime family home to a fire a couple years ago and the new house is finally built. They asked me to build a bench for the entryway that will also double as bench seating at the table for holidays.

I am looking at the sponsor Rite Leg, but the dimensions of their legs don't quite work. Wondering if anyone has suggestions. I plan on contacting them to see if there is a custom option. 

[beenthere]

Maybe get some suggestion(s) if you would put up a photo of the bench needing legs and/or the place where it will rest in the entryway.

[rusticretreater]

Is it possible to match the build of the table?

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Are there any materials or wood from the previous home that could be salvaged and re-used in the new bench? If you could somehow incorporate that into the new bench, it would be very cool.

[doc henderson]

so what is the final height you are going for.  do you have a seat already?  If so, what are the dimensions?

[Old Greenhorn]

You don't say what dimensions 'don't quite work for you' and that would be helpful to know. I have used a variety of Riteleg and logrite products, enough that I get builder's prices from them and you can't go wrong using their legs. They make their bench and table legs to work at standard seating and table heights and I am surprised that this may not work for you, or perhaps it is the width? At any rate, it's a rock solid product group.
I have had customization done by them for a client I built a bar for. I printed out their profile drawing and drew in my modifications with dimensions. I emailed them a PDF of the mods and they redrew them properly and sent me a drawing for approval along with a price quote for the custom work. I have also gotten custom colors done on the legs for another client. They will work with you, but of course, it will take longer because they have to start from scratch and may not be working on that product group when you call.
The gal I worked with in customer service has moved on but there is another there who can get you started, Kevin will do the drawing mods and quote for you. They are great folks to work with and I cannot say enough nice things about their quality, service, and products.
One caveat, just make sure you really need those changes before you ask for them.
Here's a nice entry way bench I made with their legs.



Details are in this thread: https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=119201.msg1981021#msg1981021

I also made a video for my clients on how to install them, maybe there is something helpful in this for you.

Best of luck to you! Let us know how this progresses.

[Otis1]

Thanks for the replies. I don't have pictures of the slab (black walnut), but it will be square on one edge(to fit nicely against the wall) and live edge on the other. The bottom is about 12" wide and the top is 15". Length is about 85". I'm no master woodworker, so pre-built legs are way easier. 

All the bench legs they have are too wide at the base to let the bench fit tightly to the wall.  They do have a table leg that would be great, but its a little tall.  

I still haven't called them, but it's on my list.

[doc henderson]

They actually have some that are curved to the outside, but straight on the back.  Or you could do a double on the wide end, and a single on the narrow end depending on how much stability it needs.  that is a big slab and assuming it is against a wall or behind a couch it may be taller.  if at a wall, you can also attach it to the wall with a bracket and crew as I do with one our China hutches on legs.  

[doc henderson]

all from rite leg below as a sponsor.

[Otis1]

I found some bench legs that that will work for my project. Unfortunately they're not from the RiteLeg. My next question is about attaching the legs to the slab. 

Is there a structural difference between using heavy duty screws/ lags vs. putting in threaded inserts? There really shouldn't be any reason it will ever have to be taken apart. 

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, I don't know what you landed on and I wonder if you did give RiteLeg a call before you went elsewhere. Hopefully what you've got won't be sheetmetal type stuff, that I find to be really poor.
 I use the inserts on al my legs. Using lags or woodscrews loosen over time and as the wood really dries, they need tightening over time. RiteLeg puts about 5/16 holes in their connection plate and I use 1/4" screws with a stainless washer. This allows for wood movement through the seasons. The inserts remain rock solid in my experience. and have a better grip in the wood. If you have not used the inserts before, sacrifice a test one in the same wood as your bench to figure it out. It can take a few minutes of learning and getting the right drill size. Hardwood will be different than soft wood.
 Best of luck and please post a picture when you're done.

[Otis1]

I will confess, I have not had time to reach out to Riteleg about my project. I went with some I found on the jungle website. My clients are also kinda cheap(my parents). I can also return them easily if I don't like them.

Thanks for the advice about the inserts, I think I will use those.


Edit: I just sent an email to Riteleg.