| Project by Harold | posted 1889 days ago | 4051 views | 5 times favorited | 21 comments | ![]() |
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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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21 comments so far
matter
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210 posts in 1938 days
#1 posted 1889 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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158 posts in 1894 days
#2 posted 1889 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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310 posts in 2016 days
#3 posted 1889 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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4400 posts in 2131 days
#4 posted 1889 days ago
Harold, I can always depend on your projects being inspiring and unique. Well designed.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
frank
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1492 posts in 2375 days
#5 posted 1889 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://rusticwoodart.tumblr.com/
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1990 days
#6 posted 1889 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.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
mrtrim
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1696 posts in 2049 days
#7 posted 1889 days ago
i agree with tom angle on your projects your quite an artist/ craftsman . love the bench thanks
GaryK
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10263 posts in 2157 days
#8 posted 1889 days ago
Very interesting design, Great piece of wood. Very nice job.
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
hap
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319 posts in 1957 days
#9 posted 1889 days ago
very nice
-- hap, gunbarrel city tx.
dennis mitchell
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3994 posts in 2483 days
#10 posted 1889 days ago
Wow! that wood is almost like a slab or gem stone.
Woodshopfreak
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389 posts in 1911 days
#11 posted 1888 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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11541 posts in 2234 days
#12 posted 1888 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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156 posts in 2307 days
#13 posted 1888 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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151 posts in 2035 days
#14 posted 1888 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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1115 posts in 2151 days
#15 posted 1888 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"..
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