Latest benches; Hard Maple and Walnut/Oak

Downstream · April 28, 2019, 10:35:59 PM

Here are the latest benches made this month. First two shown are legacy benches made from local hard maple tree that had to be cut down. I call them legacy benches because they are made when a customer has to take down a tree that has been on their property for generations. They will contact me to saw and make benches or other items that they can be given to children or grand kids to allow the tree to continue to a part of the family for future generations. It is really fun to see their faces when they see what was a lost tree become something to pass on.

This next one is a simple walnut slab bench with oak legs and matching walnut lower shelf.

Brad_bb · April 28, 2019, 11:09:23 PM

I like those maple especially, probably because of their funky shape and the simple legs.

DWyatt · April 29, 2019, 07:21:10 AM

I agree with Brad, I really like those Maple Benches! Do you have some sort of stretcher to keep them from folding up if someone sits on them too hard or sideways?

WDH · April 29, 2019, 07:26:58 AM

Those free form maple ones are extra nice.

Brad_bb · April 29, 2019, 02:53:31 PM

I would think if those legs were Kreg jig screwed with the larger screws they now offer, it would probably be good. If you also mortised the legs into the top, or used dowels or dominos, it would be sold as a brick you know what house.

WV Sawmiller · April 29, 2019, 05:58:31 PM

I like them but agree with DWyatt on the stretcher question. Is there a 2X4 under there between them we just can't see?

Downstream · April 29, 2019, 09:39:58 PM

Thanks for the comments and feedback. For that style of bench I generally attach the legs using two large spax outdoor lag screws I get from HD. I use 4 or 5 inch long 5/16 or greater diameter. Countersink the heads deep enough with 3/4 forstner bit and then plug with matching plugs I cut from scrap pieces of the same material. Lateral strength is gained by taking live edge scrap pieces and cutting 90deg opposite the live edge to create matching live edge gussets which I attach using the heavy duty Kreg screws. I end up with a rock solid bench you can dance on while maintaining as much live edge as possible. Unfortunately I did not take any photos showing the gussets and the customer has already picked them up. Good news is I have 3 more slabs left from this tree to work with later. This was my first time working with hard maple and boy it was like sanding concrete. Way more effort/time than anything else I have done. Customer originally wanted to cut off the rounded end with finger like extension netting a straighter bench but I talked them out of it and we both were happy.