How To Build A "Flexible" Bench

[pyotr filipivich]

DerbyDad03 on Sun, 30 Sep 2018 10:00:19 -0700 (PDT) typed in rec.woodworking the following:

Your's or theirs? B-)

tschus pyotr

[Sonny]

No, you're not nuts, but your thinking is in the wrong direction.

Screw that idea. That ain't reality.

Yes. Don't alter the basic design of the bench in your pic, but improvise , here and there, and make yours better, than what's in that pic. The bas ic form/design will remain the same, but tweak some elements of the design, for a different purpose than sitting flat on the floor. Don't worry abou t it sitting flat on the floor.

Your daughter and her friends will be aware of the floor or furniture issu e, and they don't care about that. Those issues can't be changed. Only some unknown SOB will walk in to someone's home and complain about someone' s furniture or floor. In turn, your daughter should tell them to sit on t he GD floor... or leave!

Okay, your daughter wants that bench! Really? Might she want it better, but not realize it. *I don't know, but might she want something very simi lar to it. You've shown us, before, that she has a distinct taste for rus tic furniture, so she just might want something exactly like that, but I'm suspecting a slight improvement would be more desirable. Soooo.....

I'll go out on a limb with some bold(?) suggestions.... I just got back from a week's vacation (it's 8 PM, now, a little late in th e evening), so I need a little more time for explanations and to gather som e pics. I have several similar benches that I think would help with your decision.... and with some design element alterations to your linked bench. I think your daughter may like some of these altered design elements, wh ile keeping in mind she likes (and wants to maintain?) the basic plain-Jane look and basic design of the bench.

Personally, I can see the bench in that link has an issue, or two, that are not desirable.... especially for a dining table bench.

I'll post, again, tomorrow.

Sonny

[DerbyDad03]

se, here and there, and make yours better, than what's in that pic. The b asic form/design will remain the same, but tweak some elements of the desig n, for a different purpose than sitting flat on the floor. Don't worry ab out it sitting flat on the floor.

sue, and they don't care about that. Those issues can't be changed. Onl y some unknown SOB will walk in to someone's home and complain about someon e's furniture or floor. In turn, your daughter should tell them to sit on the GD floor... or leave!

r, but not realize it. *I don't know, but might she want something very si milar to it. You've shown us, before, that she has a distinct taste for r ustic furniture, so she just might want something exactly like that, but I' m suspecting a slight improvement would be more desirable. Soooo.....

the evening), so I need a little more time for explanations and to gather s ome pics. I have several similar benches that I think would help with you r decision.... and with some design element alterations to your linked benc h. I think your daughter may like some of these altered design elements, while keeping in mind she likes (and wants to maintain?) the basic plain-Ja ne look and basic design of the bench.

re not desirable.... especially for a dining table bench.

Thanks.

It might help to know that the bench is going to be used with this table, but *not* with these chairs.

The chairs that she just refinished are these:

Her plan is to paint the bench, probably to match the green chairs (?) but painted in any case.

[Sonny]

vise, here and there, and make yours better, than what's in that pic. The basic form/design will remain the same, but tweak some elements of the des ign, for a different purpose than sitting flat on the floor. Don't worry about it sitting flat on the floor.

issue, and they don't care about that. Those issues can't be changed. O nly some unknown SOB will walk in to someone's home and complain about some one's furniture or floor. In turn, your daughter should tell them to sit on the GD floor... or leave!

ter, but not realize it. *I don't know, but might she want something very similar to it. You've shown us, before, that she has a distinct taste for rustic furniture, so she just might want something exactly like that, but I'm suspecting a slight improvement would be more desirable. Soooo.....

n the evening), so I need a little more time for explanations and to gather some pics. I have several similar benches that I think would help with y our decision.... and with some design element alterations to your linked be nch. I think your daughter may like some of these altered design elements , while keeping in mind she likes (and wants to maintain?) the basic plain- Jane look and basic design of the bench.

are not desirable.... especially for a dining table bench.

I had forgotten about that table, but I did have a table in mind. I had v aguely recalled a previous table, I think one she had in a previous apartme nt (with a roommate?).... and, I think, THAT half-ownership was sold to the roommate? I couldn't recall, for sure, if it was sold or she kept it. All in all, I had a rustic table in mind, to mate with the bench. Your lin ked bench didn't fit my mind's table scenario. The linked bench is too "p icnic table-like. The dining bench, I'm thinking, needs a little softer t ouch, a little more feminine touch.... and the dainty nicely painted chairs show that softer touch, I had in mind. The linked bench needs a softer to uch, to some design elements.

A possible option, along with painting the chairs, is to paint the bench a two tone color. Her table has a painted base, whereas the aged top is cle ar coated. The bench base could be painted and the seat clear coated.

Rather than stain the bench seat top (for an aged look), it could be faux w eathered (faux aging), then clear coated. To faux weather the top, dissol ve some steel wool in vinegar, then "paint" that solution onto the seat. It will faux weather the wood, nicely, possibly better matching with the ag ed dining table's top. About the only other way to, somewhat, "age" a piec e is to fume it.

*It may be "too much"(?), to have both the table and bench be two toned, th at way. That may be a too conflicting/busy of a decor option. Those gi rls have better decor sense, than I do, so this two toned decor option may not suit her ideas, may not be suitable for the room's decor. Just though t I'd mention it. I often get mind-wondering ideas, like this, exploring different options. Tweaking some design elements may be agreeable to her, but sometimes I get over zealous with ideas.

Sonny

[Sonny]

Stretching my imagination:

The bench may not have to remain at the dining table, all the time. A nicely painted bench could be placed in another/nearby area of the apartment, as a stand-alone piece of furniture, if there's a wall space area/niche that needs filling.

Sonny

[DerbyDad03]

rovise, here and there, and make yours better, than what's in that pic. T he basic form/design will remain the same, but tweak some elements of the d esign, for a different purpose than sitting flat on the floor. Don't worr y about it sitting flat on the floor.

e issue, and they don't care about that. Those issues can't be changed. Only some unknown SOB will walk in to someone's home and complain about so meone's furniture or floor. In turn, your daughter should tell them to si t on the GD floor... or leave!

etter, but not realize it. *I don't know, but might she want something ver y similar to it. You've shown us, before, that she has a distinct taste f or rustic furniture, so she just might want something exactly like that, bu t I'm suspecting a slight improvement would be more desirable. Soooo.....

in the evening), so I need a little more time for explanations and to gath er some pics. I have several similar benches that I think would help with your decision.... and with some design element alterations to your linked bench. I think your daughter may like some of these altered design elemen ts, while keeping in mind she likes (and wants to maintain?) the basic plai n-Jane look and basic design of the bench.

at are not desirable.... especially for a dining table bench.

vaguely recalled a previous table, I think one she had in a previous apart ment (with a roommate?).... and, I think, THAT half-ownership was sold to t he roommate? I couldn't recall, for sure, if it was sold or she kept it. All in all, I had a rustic table in mind, to mate with the bench. Your l inked bench didn't fit my mind's table scenario. The linked bench is too "picnic table-like. The dining bench, I'm thinking, needs a little softer touch, a little more feminine touch.... and the dainty nicely painted chai rs show that softer touch, I had in mind. The linked bench needs a softer touch, to some design elements.

a two tone color. Her table has a painted base, whereas the aged top is c lear coated. The bench base could be painted and the seat clear coated.

weathered (faux aging), then clear coated. To faux weather the top, diss olve some steel wool in vinegar, then "paint" that solution onto the seat. It will faux weather the wood, nicely, possibly better matching with the aged dining table's top. About the only other way to, somewhat, "age" a pi ece is to fume it.

that way. That may be a too conflicting/busy of a decor option. Those girls have better decor sense, than I do, so this two toned decor option ma y not suit her ideas, may not be suitable for the room's decor. Just thou ght I'd mention it. I often get mind-wondering ideas, like this, explorin g different options. Tweaking some design elements may be agreeable to her , but sometimes I get over zealous with ideas.

Thanks for all that. I think. ;-)

Yesterday you mentioned some design issues with that bench and that you mig ht have some "better" ideas. Are those ideas still forthcoming? How do I make that bench more "feminine"?

BTW...the earlier thread about that table questioned whether or not it was worth $400. In the end, my daughter bought it from her roommate for $325. She didn't buy the chairs and that's how we got to where we are now.

Finally, if you get a chance, take a look at my Wendell Castle post from th e other day. When the show airs in your area, you should watch it. The whole concept of furniture design (and manufacture) ties these 2 threads together nicely.

[Sonny]

Yes. I got delayed, today, taking Mom to a Dr appt., had my truck rotors changed and checked in with an upholstery customer to alter the padding in some chair cushions.

I read your posting, earlier and checked out the links. Pretty neat stuff. Thanks.

I just got in, so I'll gather my notes and post pics, etal., later this evening.

Sonny

[Sonny]

As to the benches in your link: Seems all are made with 1" stock. Some are constructed with live edge boa rds. All the corners/edges seem to be sanded down, to knock off the sharp edges. Some may be beveled. Knock down those edges on whatever bench you make. I suppose the tops are doweled in place, as the "skirts" seem to be. If y ou use metal fasteners, I'd suggest you fine some reproduction square nails ... or horse shoe nails.

The top could be held in place with "L" brackets, under neath. This would facilitate removing the top, if need be, for refinishing or replacing, if it became damaged.... unlikely in her scenario and use.

I'm not crazy about the skirt-like sides, side supports. It's good that t hey are recessed, from the top's edge. Those sides make it look too bulky. I would think a single trestle board, running down the top's center line , would be structural sufficient and lend to a less bulky appearance. The trestle board could be mortised through the legs and keyed, rather than gl ue/dowel/screw attached.

On some benches, there's a board near the ground/floor, in a trestle positi on. A board as that is going to be bumped by ones feet all the time. Tha t bumping would be more aggravating, than the uneven floor issue. Folks a re always tucking their feet under a seat. It's not needed for structure, either... or it shouldn't be needed for structural support/stability. It might look impressive, but the feet hitting it will deter from any visual amenity.

The legs look plain and the "V" cut out doesn't look good, as they are. Ne ed to bevel all those edges. The table's legs have beveled edges or simil ar cuts in design.

Pics: I made lots of simple benches with salvaged 2X12 construction stock. These benches are not what your daughter would like. I experimented wit h lots of designs, all beveled edges, so just to show you a few.... first 4 pics, scroll right.

/

The trestle bracing with keyed attachment is my favorite. Not sure if your daughter may prefer a trestle type bench. Here, I shaped/contoured the tr estle board, rather than it being a straight cut or plain rectangle profile d board.

c/ The legs of this bench fit inside the table's legs. The legs are too close together. If you sit on the very end, the other end tilts up, teeters up . I thought the bench would be heavy enough not to do that. The bench is

8' long, to mate with a 9' table.

Hope this helps. Sonny

[DerbyDad03]

oards. All the corners/edges seem to be sanded down, to knock off the shar p edges. Some may be beveled. Knock down those edges on whatever bench y ou make.

you use metal fasteners, I'd suggest you fine some reproduction square nai ls... or horse shoe nails.

My guess is screws and plugs.

ld facilitate removing the top, if need be, for refinishing or replacing, i f it became damaged.... unlikely in her scenario and use.

they are recessed, from the top's edge. Those sides make it look too bulk y. I would think a single trestle board, running down the top's center li ne, would be structural sufficient and lend to a less bulky appearance. T he trestle board could be mortised through the legs and keyed, rather than glue/dowel/screw attached.

tion. A board as that is going to be bumped by ones feet all the time. T hat bumping would be more aggravating, than the uneven floor issue. Folks are always tucking their feet under a seat. It's not needed for structur e, either... or it shouldn't be needed for structural support/stability. It might look impressive, but the feet hitting it will deter from any visua l amenity.

Need to bevel all those edges. The table's legs have beveled edges or sim ilar cuts in design.

k. These benches are not what your daughter would like. I experimented w ith lots of designs, all beveled edges, so just to show you a few.... first 4 pics, scroll right.

ur daughter may prefer a trestle type bench. Here, I shaped/contoured the trestle board, rather than it being a straight cut or plain rectangle profi led board.

se together. If you sit on the very end, the other end tilts up, teeters up. I thought the bench would be heavy enough not to do that. The bench i s 8' long, to mate with a 9' table.

I'll send her the pic of the trestle and see what she says. Thanks!

[DerbyDad03]

oards. All the corners/edges seem to be sanded down, to knock off the shar p edges. Some may be beveled. Knock down those edges on whatever bench y ou make.

you use metal fasteners, I'd suggest you fine some reproduction square nai ls... or horse shoe nails.

ld facilitate removing the top, if need be, for refinishing or replacing, i f it became damaged.... unlikely in her scenario and use.

they are recessed, from the top's edge. Those sides make it look too bulk y. I would think a single trestle board, running down the top's center li ne, would be structural sufficient and lend to a less bulky appearance. T he trestle board could be mortised through the legs and keyed, rather than glue/dowel/screw attached.

tion. A board as that is going to be bumped by ones feet all the time. T hat bumping would be more aggravating, than the uneven floor issue. Folks are always tucking their feet under a seat. It's not needed for structur e, either... or it shouldn't be needed for structural support/stability. It might look impressive, but the feet hitting it will deter from any visua l amenity.

Need to bevel all those edges. The table's legs have beveled edges or sim ilar cuts in design.

k. These benches are not what your daughter would like. I experimented w ith lots of designs, all beveled edges, so just to show you a few.... first 4 pics, scroll right.

ur daughter may prefer a trestle type bench. Here, I shaped/contoured the trestle board, rather than it being a straight cut or plain rectangle profi led board.

se together. If you sit on the very end, the other end tilts up, teeters up. I thought the bench would be heavy enough not to do that. The bench i s 8' long, to mate with a 9' table.

I showed her your Trestle Bench: Her response: "Too formal"

She also changed her mind about the original bench that she saw at the flea market. She thinks it's "more of an outside bench". So this one is a no-go:

She has now settled on this one. She likes the angles:

Now I just have to figure out what those angles are.

[Sonny]

A dining seat is usually about 18"- 19" high. Have her measure the height of the chair seats.... might want to have your bench that height. On a c ushioned seat, the crown (peak of the cushion's arc) of the seat is typical ly 19".

The bottom outside span of the legs... have them recessed about 1/2" from t he outside edges of the seat. You don't want the legs to extend beyond th e seat perimeter.

Make a template with cardboard, if need be. Large ones are usually availa ble at appliance/furniture stores (dumpsters or nearby). I've saved the b oxes my TVs came in.... these are thicker than typical cardboard boxes and they don't bend/disfigure, as easily as typical cardboard.

Sonny

[DerbyDad03]

ht of the chair seats.... might want to have your bench that height. On a cushioned seat, the crown (peak of the cushion's arc) of the seat is typic ally 19".

I have that measurement already. 17"

the outside edges of the seat. You don't want the legs to extend beyond the seat perimeter.

Good idea.

lable at appliance/furniture stores (dumpsters or nearby). I've saved the boxes my TVs came in.... these are thicker than typical cardboard boxes an d they don't bend/disfigure, as easily as typical cardboard.

Cardboard...hmmm...now where am I going to get cardboard. Oh yeah, maybe I'll use some of this:

Some of those pieces fold out large enough for me to use while working under the car. They keep the driveway clean and are easy to slide on. Others pieces are maybe 2' x 2' for protecting stuff in my trailer. I've got 2 pieces that are perfect sized to protect the sides of my Odyssey when I need to haul stuff. Another piece covers the entire floor. Some are splattered with paint or stain from various stripping/finishing projects.

I've got more pieces in the trailer just in case. In fact, I just used some of those last night to slide some heavy filing cabinets in and out.

Hi. My name is DerbyDad and I'm a cardboard-aholic.

[Sonny]

Realizing a decision has been made for another design of bench, the linked bench design has potential. However, if it not totally too late, another altering option for the above bench is to reduce the width of the side boar ds/supports/"skirts". Those boards seem too wide for a dining scenario. For a 5' long bench, a 1" stock seat board is plenty sturdy for supporting folks. That wide of side boards is not necessary.

Also, altering the "V" cut on the legs, to a half circle cut, maybe, to mai ntain a curved cut feature of the side boards.... a concave profile, i.e., taking a cue from Leon's concave designs on some of his projects. A conca ve cut on the more narrow side boards would lessen the picnic table look (o utside bench look) and may not be so formal a look as the trestle bench des ign.

Sonny

[DerbyDad03]

d bench design has potential. However, if it not totally too late, anothe r altering option for the above bench is to reduce the width of the side bo ards/supports/"skirts". Those boards seem too wide for a dining scenario. For a 5' long bench, a 1" stock seat board is plenty sturdy for supportin g folks. That wide of side boards is not necessary.

aintain a curved cut feature of the side boards.... a concave profile, i.e. , taking a cue from Leon's concave designs on some of his projects. A con cave cut on the more narrow side boards would lessen the picnic table look (outside bench look) and may not be so formal a look as the trestle bench d esign.

Thanks for the additional comments. We're going with the angled leg option. Prototyping to begin as soon as I finish some outside work. We're having a new stoop and w alkway put in and I have to do a little more prep work before the contractor shows up lat er this week.