Oak Bench

do it in quartersawn white oak and you will never be sorry

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

You already have a good start on the plans- take more picture and make some measurements. I am sure your neighbor would be flattered to have you make a copy!

there are lots of great benches on LJ’s…use the TAGS button to search and that would give you lots of examples as a start….good luck…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

You can use the neighbor’s bench to make templates from when you spec it out.

For instance, you can stick a piece of plywood next to the arm or leg and trace it.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

An excellent second ‘big’ project. If you like the style of this bench, there is no better ‘set of plans’ to have than the original piece. As others have suggested, take some measurements and trace out some templates if needed. Also take a look at the joinery used as this will be the key to constructing a sturdy piece.

I would construct it in 4 pieces, the 2 arm/leg assemblies, the seat and the back which will break the project down to 4 mini-projects and make the task seem less daunting. This will also allow you to ‘dry fit’ the pieces before final assembly to make sure everything lines up and fits correctly.

Go for it and remember that there are no errors in woodworking, just new opportunities for creativeness.

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles

Here is a bench that I made on LumberJocks. I didn’t post a lot of intermediate pictures but it does show the templates that I used.

It was a cover bench on the cover of a Wood magazine a few (2-3) years ago. They might have a paper plan on their plans page. Or it might be available on the back issues purchase.

But I agree make a template. You never know when you might be called upon to make another. I also made a story stick of all of the mortises on the legs for the back and other cuts that were necessary. I do have my plans that I can trace if you need them.

I’ve noticed in my bench making/porch swing making that it’s best to have two braces in the middle under the slats instead of one under the middle. It does cut down on the bowing of the slats when you sit on them. It looks like in the picture that there is only one in the middle on your neighbours bench.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I am very thankfull for all the help and tips that you all are giving me. Also, if made out of quarterssawn white oak, how much would you guess that it would cost me?

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

qtrsawn white sells from $4 to $12 a bft, I usually get mine from a saw mill in Indiana for around 4 or 5 bucks a brd ft. I’m sure there are good deals in St. Louis as well … I try not to buy wood from Rockler or Woodcraft unless it is on sale.

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Didn’t Norm do one of these? I think it’s called an English garden bench look up norm’s dvd’s/videos.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease