A simple but attractive backyard bench.

Well I have to say I love it! Actually I think it is one of the best bench designs I’ve seen on here. Could you take some pics showing how the legs go together and maybe one from under it.

Thanks

-- --- Richard Jackson

Very well done beautiful bench. Your bride should be proud of you and very happy with a great bench.

-- J. L. , Kinsman, Ohio

Nice save on the wood. Really clean lines.

Well done

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

Well I have to say I love it! Actually I think it is one of the best bench designs I’ve seen on here. Could you take some pics showing how the legs go together and maybe one from under it.

——- Richard Jackson
Richard, we recently sold the house where I built the bench and the buyer insisted on it being a part of the deal! (I promised my Bride I’d build her another.) So I can’t take any more photos of it, but I can try to explain how it went together. I did post another photo of the side so you can see how the legs go together. They are just lapped over each other, glued with outdoor glue and screwed with half a dozen 2 1/2” deck screws. All screw holes are plugged and you can see the plugs in the photos. There’s a 2×4 across the back at the bottom of the rear slats, and three shaped 2×4 supports hold up the seat slats. Upi cand see one of them peeking out in the photo. The outer 2×4s are screwed to the legs and all three are screwed to the 2×4 going across the back. The bench is only a bit over 4’ wide, so the seat support is ample. I did make drawings of the bench but can’t find them right now. I need them again, so when I do I’ll say so here and anyone can have a copy. It’s really pretty simple; just make it standard chair height but tilt the back rearward a bit farther than a chair. I hope that helps!

-- Skip, Forestville, CA, http://www.sonomastainedglass.com

I have to say I agree with Richard above….. this is one of the absolute best benches I have ever seen!!!
The simple and unique but elegant design, the soft edges and the flawless craftsmanship make this a true
winner!!! Thanks for sharing

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

very nice lines, simple = understated elegance in this case. I recently read someone else swearing by Sikkens for outdoor furniture. Is it a special order product? or do Rocklers or Woodcraft carry it? Maybe Highlands? The final coat was cut in half IIRC. How do you keep it from racking? I believe I see a stretcher board under the seat. I can rack anything, trust me…

-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.

thanks for sharing,a good way to use scraps and I love things you can actually use. I will have to add this to my bucket list

Perfect description….simple and attractive. It is both and then some.

-- Dad: Someone was supposed to pick up his toys! Son: My name isn't "Someone".

very nice lines, simple = understated elegance in this case. I recently read someone else swearing by Sikkens for outdoor furniture. Is it a special order product? or do Rocklers or Woodcraft carry it? Maybe Highlands? The final coat was cut in half IIRC. How do you keep it from racking? I believe I see a stretcher board under the seat. I can rack anything, trust me…

—david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.

Sikkens products aren’t carried by most paint stores, maybe because they’re so pricey? I don’t know, but just google Sikkens Cetol, or go here for some great tech info on their products: http://www.paintsource.net/pages/products/sikkens/sikkens_MAIN.htm. Up until 11 months ago when we moved back to CA, we lived in Hawaii for 19 years and I used Sikkens “23 Plus” on anything that needed to withstand Hawaii’s salt, humidity and sun. I’ve used it on exterior bare wood and peeled Ohia poles that after 10 years right on the ocean still looked good. Best to lightly sand and recoat after maybe 5 years. The stuff is amazing and well worth the money. In our area it’s close to $100/gallon, but when you compare performance and price with good spar varnish, Cetol still wins. The only issue with “23 Plus” is that it has a slightly orange color that will alter the color of the wood. It doesn’t make it “orange,” but slightly tints it in that direction. Cetol also makes water-clear products, but they are not quite as bullet-proof. I use them for exterior doors, etc., when I want to preserve the actual color of the wood.

Never had a problem with any twist or other structural issues with the bench. It was placed on solid level footings, and after that, my wife and I sat on it often, kids played on it, jumped on it, and it never seemed to mind.

-- Skip, Forestville, CA, http://www.sonomastainedglass.com

very nice design,great job.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Looks great and love the way you plugged the holes

-- Norman

man the more I look at this bench the more I like it! I have come back and looked at this bench multiple times and it just keeps growing on me. I just had to favorite it and let it perculate some more because I’m eventually going to build one inspired by this.

-- --- Richard Jackson

man the more I look at this bench the more I like it! I have come back and looked at this bench multiple times and it just keeps growing on me. I just had to favorite it and let it perculate some more because I’m eventually going to build one inspired by this.

——- Richard Jackson

I’m glad you like it. I’ve always thought of it as kind of an exercise in the elegance of simplicity. If I can help you get started on your own, holler!

Skip

-- Skip, Forestville, CA, http://www.sonomastainedglass.com