What up Benches?

kelLOGg · July 07, 2023, 05:31:21 PM

Lot of nice benches on these pages. My question is about benches for the outdoors. My church has a project where they want outdoor benches for trails in a forest and I won't be making them but will be using my mill to produce the lumber. The logs available are downed red and white oak which aren't air-dried and 2.5" thick sweetgum lumber which is air dried. Are these viable candidates for such benches? How dry should lumber be for outdoor use and what preservatives do you recommend? What should the moisture content be before applying preservative? Since the sweetgum is already dry is there a recommended preservative for it or should it be forgotten all together? I have made many indoor benches but never outdoor - hence these basic questions.

gspren · July 07, 2023, 07:06:18 PM

My guess would be to use the white oak and if possible mount the legs to some "plastic" wood to prevent ground contact.

beenthere · July 07, 2023, 07:11:36 PM

Thinking that the ilk of people hiking trails would prefer to not sit on a "bench" treated with a preservative. But maybe such a preservative will be mentioned here that will be more people friendly.

The Aldo Leopold benches seem to be popular along trails.
Build a Leopold bench - DNR News Releases

How to Make a Simple Garden Chair | Leopold Bench Design - YouTube

WV Sawmiller · July 07, 2023, 09:32:16 PM

I agree with the recommendation for the white oak. If you can get hold of any locust, even small ones for legs, I would use that for the the ground contact. If you can put the feet on bricks, stones or concrete that should help too.

doc henderson · July 08, 2023, 07:59:44 AM

I agree with Howard... white oak, or black locust, or hedge (Osage orange). You can impregnate with epoxy, and or roll a bit of copper napthalate on the contact surface, but it will be green.

kelLOGg · July 08, 2023, 09:24:46 AM

Ok. Has anyone used eco wood?
I sawed red oak for a neighbor who finished it with eco wood. He's pleased and it looks good.

beenthere · July 08, 2023, 10:43:29 AM

Quote from: kelLOGg on July 08, 2023, 09:24:46 AM
Ok. Has anyone used eco wood?
I sawed red oak for a neighbor who finished it with eco wood. He's pleased and it looks good.

Do you have a link to eco wood? And an msds that says what is in it?

Found this, but not sure it is what you refer to being applied to the red oak.
Eco wood treatment ruined my fence

doc henderson · July 08, 2023, 10:45:27 AM

In general, oil finishes soak in and give a planer finish but are easy to reapply. poly and other surface finishes give a smooth surface and look good for a while, but after a winter, may peel and need sanded to refinish. On some wood, my spar varnish lasts for a long time preserving the color some and not peeling, like on ERC.

kelLOGg · July 08, 2023, 12:40:20 PM

I've never used it but a neighbor did on red oak I cut for his deck. He liked it and the deck looks good. I read it is a powder that is dissolved in water and applied with a brush.

doc henderson · February 07, 2024, 11:20:14 PM

Just went back through this thread, and Boys we have made some stuff! :coolsmiley:

TimW · April 04, 2024, 11:36:00 PM

Awesome thread Y'all. Keep it up, I may fall for buying more tools and trying my hand at stool making.

tule peak timber · April 05, 2024, 09:11:42 AM

Quote from: doc henderson on February 07, 2024, 11:20:14 PMJust went back through this thread, and Boys we have made some stuff! :coolsmiley:

Doc , on your engraving/carving, what software do you use? I have one of your coasters on our kitchen table, thanks!

doc henderson · April 05, 2024, 09:56:19 AM

It is called engrave lab. many use Corell draw and develop the art in a gray scale and then send to the engraver that is essentially a printer. I can get you more info if you would like. My engraver is an epilog helix 18 x 24 inch bed.

21incher · April 05, 2024, 10:14:45 AM

I use lightburn that is compatible with most Co2, diode, and fiber lasers that don't require on proprietary software. Like doc says, they are just printers. Some good online tools also exist for prepping photos for best results.

doc henderson · April 05, 2024, 10:16:08 AM

21 what online tools are you alluding to?

21incher · April 05, 2024, 11:09:56 AM

Imag-r.com is one I have played with. Lightburn can do the same thing but it doesn't have a great preview and can be hard for beginners. There are several others also that I haven't tried. Some are supposed to be easy to remove backgrounds.

doc henderson · April 05, 2024, 01:53:24 PM

that would be handy. we have removed backgrounds the hard way. trouble is always dark hair against a dark background, and the head looks straight on one side.