| Project by Harold | posted 107 days ago | 1443 views | 2 times favorited | 18 comments | ![]() |
The wood is Mango for the legs and Monkeypod for the seat. Finish is 3 coats of west system and 2 coats of spar varnish ( I will have 6 coats of spar varnish when complete to protect the epoxy) The solid back leg is fluted and then attatched with a sliding dovetail, the front legs are shaped thru tenons. I like the live edge theme, but I wanted it to have an almost ancient carved from stone feel.
It’s about 16” tall and 40 something inches long, Initially I had it 18” tall but once I got it together the little slab appeared to short and skinny, so cutting it down a couple inches was the only compromise I could come up with.
-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.
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18 comments so far
matter
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165 posts in 156 days
posted 107 days ago
Beautiful bench!
I have seen Mango, but have never even heard of Monkeypod. Seeing that seat makes me want to get my hands on some though.
Where do you find that kind of lumber? It looks similar to walnut crotch.
-- The only easy wood project is a fire
sidestepmcgee
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48 posts in 112 days
posted 107 days ago
i only seen the monkey pod online , never used . great job. love the finish
-- eric post, tallahassee FL
Harold
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267 posts in 234 days
posted 107 days ago
Thank you, Monkeypod is an introduced spieces here, the trees grown very well and they get very large, with a 4’ dia not uncommon. I have worked with a very similar wood for a cabinet project last year, that lumber came from costa rica, and it was called carribean koa, although it looks and behaves in much the same way as the local monkeypod. Delivered here in hawaii it was running about $7.20 to $8.00 a board foot and it was fairly good lumber. Now on the mainland I would think a guy could shave at least 2 to 3 $’s a board foot of that price. Also I’m not to sensitive to most saw dust, but the monkeypod dust does give me problems, so I have to wear a dust mask.
-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.
Thos. Angle
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3246 posts in 349 days
posted 107 days ago
Harold, I can always depend on your projects being inspiring and unique. Well designed.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
frank
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1276 posts in 593 days
posted 107 days ago
Hello Harold;
—-what a joy and inspiration to view your take on ‘natural edge bench’ and live edge….!
And then there’s those great looking legs, that you have integrated into the top with the thru tenons, yes what a beaut-i-full//beaut-eye-full pair of bow-ties therein.
Thank you for sharing this one with us here at LJ.
GODSPEED,
Frank
-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/
Scott Bryan
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7752 posts in 209 days
posted 107 days ago
Harold,
This is really nice bench. It is unique and quite interesting. I am beginning to really appreciate use of a natural edge. Before seeing posts like yous I would have simply cut off the “defect”. But leaving the edge alone adds a very nice detail to the piece. Your finishing job looks outstanding.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
mrtrim
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1484 posts in 267 days
posted 107 days ago
i agree with tom angle on your projects your quite an artist/ craftsman . love the bench thanks
-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes
GaryK
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8182 posts in 375 days
posted 107 days ago
Very interesting design, Great piece of wood. Very nice job.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
hap
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130 posts in 176 days
posted 107 days ago
very nice
-- hap, gunbarrel city tx.
dennis mitchell
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2795 posts in 701 days
posted 107 days ago
Wow! that wood is almost like a slab or gem stone.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Woodshopfreak
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315 posts in 129 days
posted 107 days ago
Very cool. Love the finish. It looks like a mirror. Very interesting design. It is one of those projects that you have to love because of the natural look. Great job.
-- Tyler, Illinois
cajunpen
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5256 posts in 453 days
posted 107 days ago
That is an incredible bench – I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. I’ve got to get some of that Monkey Pod. I have a friend that is into the Real Estate market pretty heavily in Costa Rica – wonder if he can get some shipped to me? We’ll see.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Muzhik
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106 posts in 525 days
posted 107 days ago
I love it, Harold. Every time I see one of your posts or projects, I miss the islands more and more. Wish I had known then what I know now about the kinds of lumber I had easy access to…
That finish looks top-notch!
DaytonB
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58 posts in 253 days
posted 107 days ago
wow,What an eye for design and skill for execution. I have yet to see anything quite like your style. So often unique designs/styles are unique for uniques sake, and nothing but eye sores, to me anyway, but all of your stuff is of exceptional design and gorgeous conception. I wish I’d have thought of it : ) “you’ve got it Mister!” please keep them coming.
snowdog
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511 posts in 370 days
posted 107 days ago
It sure caught my eye, and I would repeat everything said above but since it was already said … Beautiful bench!
-- "so much to learn and so little time"..
trifern
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1781 posts in 154 days
posted 106 days ago
A true piece of art.
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.
biff_kpv
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202 posts in 250 days
posted 106 days ago
Nice work Harold a real nice piece!
-- Kevin -- (http://www.kevinswoodshop.blogspot.com)
miles125
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837 posts in 392 days
posted 47 days ago
Just found this jewel. Outstanding!
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""