| Project by thewoodwhisperer | posted 1036 days ago | 5783 views | 8 times favorited | 23 comments | ![]() |
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Woods used: Zebrawood
Finish: Oil/Varnish Blend
This bench was really an experiment in power-carving. Using a grinder outfitted with an Arbortech blade, the long graceful curves were carved into the legs and the top. The legs were attached to the top using a large open mortise and tenon joint. To further secure the joint, two screws were driven through the tenon and into the seat top. Wenge caps cover the screw heads. All edges were eased and finessed with a cabinet-maker’s rasp.
-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com






























23 comments so far
cabinetman
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140 posts in 1039 days
posted 1036 days ago
Marc
Wow, that zebrawood is a knockout, (in a word) fantastic. How stable is that bench?
Obi
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2191 posts in 1132 days
posted 1036 days ago
No longer are my projects good enough.
No way can I put the stuff on here that i was settling for before.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
dennis mitchell
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3789 posts in 1210 days
posted 1036 days ago
Glad to see you posted some projects. They all look great.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7037 posts in 1195 days
posted 1036 days ago
Great design, Very nice lines, with beautiful wood. It looks good enough to sit on with comfort.
-- -** 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
Obi
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2191 posts in 1132 days
posted 1036 days ago
I’m sorry … work like that makes me want to scream “Get your fat ass off of that !!!!”
I can’t help it. It’s too nice to sit on.
I’m really sorry to be talkin like that, but … that’s how I feel.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
bigpops0259
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198 posts in 1045 days
posted 1036 days ago
EXCELLANT CHOICE OF WOOD FOR A BEATIFUL PROJECT!!!!
-- Marty Ohio
Mark A. DeCou
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1537 posts in 1301 days
posted 1036 days ago
Very nice. This reminds me of one of David Mark’s small asian style benches he shows on his t.v. show. I like the proportions, and the details, such as the wood pegs. I did a couple of sculpted walking canes in Zebra Wood a couple of years ago, and I remember that “wet dog” smell, and how hard it was and how easily it fractured and split. Despite it’s nuiances, it is a beautiful wood in that finish. Nice Photography as well.
I’ve been contemplating the purchase of an arbortech with an angle grinder, for sculpting like what you are showing here. If you get time, you might write up a tool review of it on the Forum. I promise you, more woodworkers will find your website if you post a tool review on something as popular as the arbortech cutter that can be searched an located from search engines. And, it will be good to get a review on record from someone that uses the tool, not just gets paid to write about it.
I enjoyed seeing this project, thanks,
Mark
-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com
MsDebbieP
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14159 posts in 1056 days
posted 1036 days ago
isn’t this beautiful!! And I’m with Obi—don’t sit on that- it’s a piece of art!!!
The lines of the wood and the lines of the seat are very mesmorizing. (as if I needed something else to keep me connected to the wood).
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
oscorner
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4572 posts in 1206 days
posted 1036 days ago
Excellent work and love the website!
-- Jesus is Lord!
Don
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2590 posts in 1072 days
posted 1036 days ago
I saw David Mark’s bench last week, now this beautiful bench. So Now I’ve added a bench to my project list.
Thanks, Marc. Beautiful!
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/
scottb
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3402 posts in 1222 days
posted 1036 days ago
But it’s too nice not to sit on! (just sit very still, and don’t scratch it!)
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
thewoodwhisperer
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320 posts in 1079 days
posted 1035 days ago
Thanks for all the kind words everyone! David’s bench was definitely the seed of inspiration that led to the design of my bench. Good eye. :)
Its actually very sturdy, partly because its just so heavy. But no one really sits on it anyway. It just hangs out in the corner of the dining room as a decorative item. Maybe I will start sitting on it while I drink my morning coffee. But where the heck do I put the laptop?
-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com
Obi
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2191 posts in 1132 days
posted 1035 days ago
Hey it’s yours, you’ve earned the right to park your … well, sit whereever you want. And for anyone else … Remove all objects from your pockets, remove your belt, and use this pillow and you can only sit there for a few minutes. And you must first leave a $1,000.00 deposit if you wish to sit.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Mike Shea
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150 posts in 890 days
posted 883 days ago
that is an awsome design i love it. good job marc. if i were to sit on that particular bench i think i would prefer to sit with my butt crack on the peak of the crevice rather then in the center hahaha. but thats just me. i recently worked with zebrawood and loved the way it looks after a naturaul finish what did you use?
-- i can do all things through christ who strengthens me
Bill
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2561 posts in 1057 days
posted 883 days ago
Glad this one popped up again. A very nice bench, the design as well as the wood grain. Seems you can use Zebrawood for more than just pens!
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
Karson
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25802 posts in 1296 days
posted 882 days ago
Marc: When I looked at the legs attaching to the top, I first thought of a sliding dovetail on the leg so that you would get a wedgeing action if there was any movement at the joint.
Great looking bench. What is the thickness of the Zebrawood.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
mot
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4903 posts in 932 days
posted 882 days ago
Nice to see this one come back around in pulse. Nice bench, mark.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
scottb
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3402 posts in 1222 days
posted 882 days ago
That’s funny Obi… and all to true. “No you cannot eat at this table. That’s what the sink is for. This is not a table, it’s art!”
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
thewoodwhisperer
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320 posts in 1079 days
posted 882 days ago
Thanks for the kind words again guys. To answer your question Karson, the the zebrawood is just 8/4 stock.
Take care everyone.
Marc
-- For free video tutorials and other cool woodworking stuff, check out http://www.TheWoodWhisperer.com
Bob A in NJ
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527 posts in 894 days
posted 707 days ago
Marc,
Just got my hands on some nice purpleheart. This is a possible project. What are the dimensions?
Thanks
Woodtimes
-- Bob A in NJ
rikkor
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11335 posts in 770 days
posted 707 days ago
Nice. I am glad someone pulled this one out of the archives. It’s beautiful.
GaryK
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9530 posts in 884 days
posted 684 days ago
That is one great looking bench!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Dusty56
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3466 posts in 583 days
posted 465 days ago
I love the roll the dice feature of this site !!
Marc , this is a real attention getter and you did a fantastic job with both your choice of wood and your craftsmanship : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .