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Need help making a simple bench from a slab of wenge.

Need help making a simple bench from a slab of wenge. (post #167411)

marcelbeuz on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 06:15 (updated 06/02/11 - 06:05)

Joinery

Hello,

This will be my first project in wich I want to you use joinery.

I want to make a bench like the picture attached but than from a slab of wenge.

What's the best joint to connect the small leg slabs to the larger bench slab? Also the joint shouldnt be to complex because I am just starting :)..

Thanks in advance,

Marcel

Your best choice for a strong (post #167411, reply #1 of 4)

by SteveSchoene in reply to marcelbeuz [original] on Fri, 06/03/2011 - 17:38

Your best choice for a strong and classic joint would be to use through wedged tenons. But that hardly qualifies as a beginners project since they would have to be well made and closely fitted to handle the stresses that would be on them.

I'd suggest a minor design change. I would attach two rails, perhaps 3" wide and 1" thick between the legs. These could be attached with blind tenons--much less finicky to fit--and would add significantly to the sturdiness. .

Test your finish on scrap, FIRST, or risk having to scrap your finish.

Agree with Steve that there (post #167411, reply #2 of 4)

by DonStephan in reply to SteveSchoene [original] on Tue, 06/07/2011 - 17:34

Agree with Steve that there should be rail(s) between the legs. Because of the photo's perspective, there may be one or two rails at the tops of the legs. Second, are you confident that the pictured bench stood up to regular use for the desired number of years? I've seen lots of store furniture that was designed to fail, such as a bench without rails between the legs.

My take (post #167411, reply #3 of 4)

by jfsksa in reply to marcelbeuz [original] on Sat, 06/18/2011 - 00:52

I agree, the legs on this bench need some support. I love the look of wedged tenons, but have not developed the hand work skills to pull make them look right. If you don't like the look of visible rails, you could put one center rail in, which would be less noticible, but might sacrifice some stability. Connect to the legs with a blind tenon. Thicker legs and a well done tenon would help with stability. Since the joint is under the bench on the inside, any appearance issues are hidden. You could also achieve the same result with a corbel on each end, center mounted to hide them.

Steel plates? (post #167411, reply #4 of 4)

by PSeverin in reply to marcelbeuz [original] on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 12:47

Of course if your really like the design and want to skip the technical woodworking prized here you could have a a heavy steel plate made that runs under the bench with heavy steel plates welded to it that extend down into the legs sandwiched about them. You may have to have a couple little gussets at the joints to get the moment resistance and cut down on the size of the plates. It still can be fine woodworking. Think of it as dispensing with that ugly through tenon marring the bench surface and a paint to sit on. Modern tricks and materials can be used.

Make what you want and figure out a way to accomplish it. The bench design you show is very modern. In the end it is the results that matter.

Peter