| Project by bfd | posted 169 days ago | 1424 views | 14 times favorited | 30 comments | ![]() |
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I temporarily put my workbench project on hold to take a commission project. The client came to me asking to build a bench similar to one that they saw in a newspaper article. The Client loved the idea of furniture made from used wine barrel staves. Modifying the design from the inspiration piece I came up with this design. The piece is made entirely from qtr sawn whit oak wine staves. I was careful to preserve the beautiful red wine patina that had stained the interior surfaces. There were several challenges along the way the biggest issue I faced was the obvious that nothing was flat or square. Every piece of wood is curved in two directions and had coopered edges. I ended up doing more hand work then I anticipated but that kept it fun & interesting. Being a wine lover my favorite part of working on this project was the smell of the wood when it was being cut. The aroma was like sniffing a nice glass of aged Cabernet.
Dimensions: 14”d x 36”w x 18”h ( at center of bench)
Finish: Spar Varnish (Satin)
-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com


































30 comments so far
Damian Penney
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1030 posts in 883 days
posted 169 days ago
This is fantastic, love it :)
-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso
isetegija
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610 posts in 407 days
posted 169 days ago
Great design , very well done.
Thanks for sharing with us.
-- My woodwork blog : http://www.isetehtud.pri.ee/blog/
blackcherry
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730 posts in 715 days
posted 169 days ago
This should age nicely… couldn’t resist. A gem of a design must keep a look out for a barrel now. Thanks for posting Blkcherry
FritzM
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106 posts in 704 days
posted 169 days ago
Looks great Brian! I’ve wanted to fool around with barrel staves for a while. There is something wonderful about their functional curve.
-- Fritz Oakland, Ca http://www.muegenburg.com (dedicated to my other hobby)
oldskoolmodder
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707 posts in 572 days
posted 169 days ago
Nice stuff Brian. This should be a nice project for those who come in asking what to do with wine barrels.
-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric
a1Jim
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16577 posts in 469 days
posted 169 days ago
Super design, good build,great job
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Napaman
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3482 posts in 969 days
posted 169 days ago
Brian I love this!!! the design is very nice…since you saw something similar in the newpaper i hope you wont mind if i borrow some design ideas…i have only worked with the barrel heads so far…but I have a few staves…i may have enough to do something similar…
the only straight wood is inthe barrel head or lid…so the staves to represent some challenges…you came up with great solutions…
do you know what winery the barrel was from…sometimes the “label” on the top is stamped or burned in…and that can be a nice feature to incorporate…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Loucarb
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938 posts in 337 days
posted 169 days ago
Nicely done.
rodb
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136 posts in 294 days
posted 169 days ago
Great Job.
I really like the outcome here.
Keep up the great work.
Rod
-- Rod Baltimore Ontario
RobH
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460 posts in 941 days
posted 169 days ago
That is really cool. Living in Virginia, I ought to be able to find some old wine barrels at some point in time. I will have to keep my eyes out. My wife will never understand why I want on, but we will keep that a surprise.
I am about to build a steam bending setup also, and this would be something good to try it out with.
Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work.
-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA
Karson
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25794 posts in 1292 days
posted 169 days ago
A great looking creation. I was thinking of Napaman when I say it. I’m glad he found this bench.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
FloridaArt
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36 posts in 190 days
posted 169 days ago
Very nice! Not something we see every day, so I’m sure it will be treasured for a very long time. Does it flex much when sat on?
-- Art | Bradenton, Florida
Splinterman
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4827 posts in 253 days
posted 169 days ago
Good reuse of wine barrels and nice flowing design.
-- I will just keep doing it till I get it right.
Woodbutchery
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80 posts in 477 days
posted 169 days ago
So. Where does one get the wine barrels?
-- Making scrap with zen-like precision - Woodbutchery
newTim
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245 posts in 499 days
posted 169 days ago
Hey neighbor… once again, you’ve done a stunning piece. That’s quite a portfolio you’ve got.
-- tim hill www.newcalshop.com
majeagle1
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425 posts in 388 days
posted 169 days ago
Well done I must say Brian…................ I really like the design, it is absolutely beautiful!
I may have to try something like this myself, this is one of the first that I have really liked.
There are several wineries around here so I may need to go “shopping”, or “tasting”, whatever!!!!
See Ya
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
bfd
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418 posts in 699 days
posted 169 days ago
Thanks everyone for your comments!
Matt the individual staves didn’t have any marking on them and I suspect they were randomly shipped meaning that I don’t think they were necessarily from the same barrel. I think I am going to buy a barrel head with markings on it for my very, very modest “Wine Closet”. I thought of you often during this project:-)
Art surprisingly It didn’t flex at all when I sat on it but I am not a very big guy (150 lbs). The staves are slightly thicker than a 1” and are very rigid.
Woodbutchery Here is the site that I purchased the individual staves from. www.winecountrywoodsinc.com or you can buy a complete used barrels from other sights.
-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com
stefang
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1638 posts in 226 days
posted 168 days ago
A perfect and beautiful design, really unique.
-- Mike, American in Norway
jockmike2
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7297 posts in 1138 days
posted 168 days ago
A unique and beautiful design. Very Asian looking. Wonderful colors.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
drgoodwood
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381 posts in 1019 days
posted 168 days ago
Brian:
Nice bench.
We make those in Kentucky from used bourbon barrels.
I buy old bourbon barrels direct from distilleries for about $10 each in lots of 10 at a time.
I mainly use the heads for rustic table tops . However, all parts are used are traded with other artisans.
I’ve been making Garden Orbs from the metal barrel hoops by riveting four together, then painting them.
These have been very popular.
Even the scraps are used. I bag the leftover stave cuttings and shavings for barbeque wood.
-- Randy, Rustic Artisan, a family tradition. (No PM's - auto-deleted.) - "I am a seeker, not a follower."
EternalDesign
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141 posts in 887 days
posted 168 days ago
nice dude!
-- Brian, Eternal Furniture & Design http://www.eternal-furniture.com Repurpose Reclaim,Stay Green
Blake
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2755 posts in 766 days
posted 152 days ago
What a COOL project. That really came out great. I thought it looked awesome and then I read the description. Love it.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
GaryK
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9521 posts in 880 days
posted 143 days ago
Nice looking bench! Good luck in the contest.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7034 posts in 1191 days
posted 141 days ago
Ingenious!
Very nice, & Good Luck!
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
PetVet
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233 posts in 379 days
posted 110 days ago
Great idea, well executed!
-- Rich in Richmond
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7034 posts in 1191 days
posted 105 days ago
Congratulations bfd!
I expected a much higher ranking than this, because of its uniqueness.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Todd A. Clippinger
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5632 posts in 991 days
posted 104 days ago
I think this is a great design. The hard part is to work within the parameters of the given material. But the challenge makes it fun!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
bfd
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418 posts in 699 days
posted 102 days ago
Thanks everyone for the nice words and for those who voted for me I was very surprised. Now to decide what to spend that LV gift certicate on.
-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com
aflixa
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41 posts in 67 days
posted 37 days ago
Simple, beautiful and unique.
-- Aflixa - Granja - Portugal
winecountrywhimsy
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70 posts in 240 days
posted 15 days ago
Very nice work. I can see your detail in the finish work and sanding of the legs.
How did you attach the cross braces to the side legs? I don’t see any screws or plugs. I have used a similar base design for tables but your’s looks much better. One table I made had a wine bottle rack built into the base using the support braces and more staves.
Wish I had your skills and patience, nice work.
Todd
-- Todd @ winecountrywhimsy Sonoma County, CA