The American Craftsman WorkShop #7: Design Thoughts on a Shaker Inspired Bench

Haven’t watched the vid yet but I love that bench. If I ever finish my sideboard I think this could be a perfect next project (I have just the spot for one..)

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Great post and video…THANKS!!!!!!

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Thanks for making us think about how we can continue to improve.

Attention to detail will never lead you astray.

Lew

Thanks Todd. I enjoyed the video, you touched on some very good points to consider when designing and it really shows in this bench. Great result!

-- Tim: Remember, if it doesn't say Binford, someone else made it.

Nice show Todd :-)) I watched it 2x. You’re fast becoming favored above Norm! Thanks for showing what nobody else thinks about.

did you use slots to allow for expansion of the seat?

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Topamax – Good Question! Slots were not needed because all of the grain runs the same direction in the bench and everything will move at the same rate.

I realized while editing that there was so much more to share, but that just means I will have to make another video!

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

That is a design element I didn’t catch. Guess I’l have to watch a 3rd time :-)) thx

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Very well done … beautiful piece and presentation

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

Thanks Todd…design is ofter more challenging than the build and information about design is a little more elusive. Keep up the good work.

-- gbear, Carmichael, CA

Really well presented you have a gift for this.Alistair

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

Topamax – Take a look at this glue-up in action. You can see the drawer dividers and their grain orientation. The reason I do this is because I do not want end grain showing between the drawers.

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

Todd, I agree 100% on the details and finishing every pieces that goes into the project, even if it will usually not be seen, but I have to admit that when a project is taking alittle to long or I want to move on to something else I have in my head, that is when I have my toughest time with this. I have to take it down a few gears and slow down and remember why I am doing this. I think my work is slowly improving and it is mostly because I’m learning to be a little more patient. Thanks for the video and the bench is great.

-- F.Little

Thanks Todd! I really liked the construction info and the drawers are really cool. I feel good learning from your videos.

Great video, Todd. It was a great reminder to pay extra attention to the details you might not think people would notice. Those details are what set the true craftsman apart form the mass production.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Remarkably well done. It’s good to see this type of instruction along with assembly videos. The design is important and often short-changed. When are you going to get your TV show?

-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

A beautiful bench and an excellent video to showcase it!

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

I think that the design and thought process is often passed over.

I just wanted to touch on the construction lightly and share more about the design and thought process.

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

I always admire your work Todd. How did you sand the inside arc of the legs? I always have a problem getting a consistant arc. Mine tend to be alittle wavy. Thanks Steve

Steve – I made a template to guide the router for the arc. I draw the line and cut close to it with the jigsaw, then use the router and template.

When sanding I stack the two sides together and sand them at the same time. This not only saves time, but creates a wider and more stable surface to sand on so the edge stays square.

Here are some photos:

I can even use the card scraper to get a little hump out. My template is pretty good and that is the key, but I still have some minor imperfections in it.

The arch is sanded until it is just as smooth as the rest of the bench. I am sort of anal that way. You can see pretty well that both sides are clamped together here.

This video is just under 90 seconds and in it you will see the template that I made for the Shaker bench in use.

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

looks like fun

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Thanks, Todd. You are quite an inspiration. Well done video!

-- Rich, Seattle, WA

Todd,

Love the Video, You are doing a Great job on the video, becoming professional!

Love the Bench as well.

Handi

-- Jimmy "Handi" Warner, http://jwarner75.etsy.com, http://handisworkshop.blogspot.com

Todd
Very impressive explanation & a great piece of furniture.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Great videos, Todd.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker