i need an outdoor seating in a hurry.
wala kasing mauupuan dito sa bukid (farm) ng parents ko, and the swmbo and the kids are always complaining, looking for something to seat upon.
so i ended up doing this bench, a LEOPOLD BENCH.
based on the author and ecologist aldo leopold's classic design
you will appreciate this easy to build bench.
all it takes are 2 boards of 2 x's ( 2x8 to be exact ) and some screws and bolts, i used lag screws and hex bolts here, because these are the materials i have in hand, and i didn't anticipated doing this bench early on...
the construction can be completed in a couple of hours, for me, extra hours are added, because i have to plane my extremely rough, out of square, and warped board to somewhat a little apprciated smoothness.
the wood recommended for this project should be rot resistant ( treated ) weathered wood, but because it is so expensive, try ko muna rough lumber for this project, i'll coat it nalang with an exterior oil or any related products later.
to start things up, this are the materials needed
1 pc 2x8x10
1 pc 2x8x8
6 pcs 3/8 x 3 1/2carriage bolt ( galvanized )
8 or so pcs deck screws or any screw basta galvanized, and big or long enough to hold the board...
and here's how i started the project...
the lumber i bought at 960 php.. ( ang kamahal ng kahoy ngayon )
Re: leopold's bench.
starting at one end of a 10-ft board, make the same 22- 1/2- degree cut 5 times to create the 4 legs...
and this is where the SWANSON speed square comes in handy...
set at 22-1/2 degree...
you can also use the speed square as a circular saw guide .
Re: leopold's bench.
smoothen the board with stanley # 4...
the purpose of planing is to smoothen but not to flatten the very rough board.
Re: leopold's bench.
clamp the seat and back to the WB as a stop, then predrill and screw the rear legs to the front legs...
i used spade bits to bore holes.
Re: leopold's bench.
all the pieces are pre-cut, and drilled at the shop ( kunyari )
and assembled at the site...
bolt the rear legs to the front legs first
i used hex bolt, wala kasing carriage bolt to reach for, extra long pa nga 5"...it shoulld be 3-1/2.
lag screw for the back rest
lag screw for the seat ( recessed hole for the head )
Re: leopold's bench.
and here it is...
the leopold's bench...
Re: leopold's bench.
very easy to make, preparing all the materials,
it can be constructed in a couple of hours...
Re: leopold's bench.
cutting list:
rear legs: 2 pcs 2x8 x 17-1/4" ( 22- 1/2 degree cuts )
front legs: 2 pcs 2x8 x 36" ( 22- 1/2 degree cuts )
seat: 2x8 x 42"
back: 2x8 x 45"
Re: leopold's bench.
Very nice and looks so easy to make. Kumusta Ang stability? Would the seat be any more comfortable if a wider plank is used or would it be overkill?
What would be the finish?
Re: leopold's bench.
balarila,
very stable, i thought nung una na baka tumumba, hindi pala, considering the terrain...
napaka stable, and the comfort, you have to build one to appreciate the feel...
the swmbo requested 4 more...:p :p
the finish will be exterior oil, since it will be exposed to all the harshes of elements, araw, ulan, isama mo na bagyo...
next week na siguro yung application..
2x8 planks are fine na, i dont know na with the wider one...
maybe hangang 10 nalang siguro...
but 2x8 are just fine...
Re: leopold's bench.
If exposed to elements, you may want to consider epoxy resin. Completely waterproof. That's what I use on my boat. And, since it's completely sealed, termites can't have a go at it. Kaya lang, walang UVprotecion so you will still have to put varnish on top of it. A lot of upfront work pero not as much maintenance.
I had a bad experience with a roofless gazebo (kuno) I built many years back. Put some oil pero hindi na-maintain so it's gone now, the elements and termites claimed it.
Re: leopold's bench.
would that go for epoxy primers and epoxy enamels ?
oo nga e, i,m still considering colored paints as well, kasi nga , thinking of the durabilty of the finish...
thanks very much ! ! !
very big help indeed ! ! !
Re: leopold's bench.
would that go for epoxy primers and epoxy enamels ?
oo nga e, i,m still considering colored paints as well, kasi nga , thinking of the durabilty of the finish...
thanks very much ! ! !
very big help indeed ! ! !
Kaya nawawala ka eh, pag meron kang project tahimik ka 😀
you may want to try spar urethane (varnish) for your finish which is the finish choice for outdoor use...
click my signature and it will take you there........
Re: leopold's bench.
you may want to try spar urethane (varnish) for your finish which is the finish choice for outdoor use...
That's also good. On my boat hull, I'll using epoxy then spar varnish on top. Pero, siguro, for your use, spar varnish may be enough. I saw some gallon and quartz sizes at Ace Marikina a week ago. Others should have it.
Re: leopold's bench.
Kaya nawawala ka eh, pag meron kang project tahimik ka 😀
you may want to try spar urethane (varnish) for your finish which is the finish choice for outdoor use...
ha ha ha !!!
sched mo na next eb's, para ngayon pa lang makapag prepare nako ng iteniraries, he he he...;)
i believe spar varnish are available at wilcon or ace hardware...
thanks master timber....
