Resting Place
Foundations Studies-- Spatial Dynamics
Gail Fredell
Spring 2015
Final Bench Project
This six week final bench project required us to create a structure that could span a 36" to 48" distance without any member touching the distance in the middle. The structure was to support a minimum of one person's weight. The final bench was to be made entirely by hand tools using traditional woodworking methods.
We began by creating quarter-scale models, then made adjustments to our designs as we created half-scale models which were put together using traditional wood joinery techniques.
Half-Scale Model
My half-scale model included bridle joints and lap joints, both of which were cut with a Japanese saw and then chiseled with a 3/8" chisel. I later changed and simplified my design for the full-scale bench.
Gluing and clamping process for one of the legs.
The final bench was constructed entirely of lap joints and held together by wood glue with a few doweled joints. The top of the bench is made by laminating lengths of pine and then using a bandsaw (with permission of the instructor) to cut the top into shape. After a lot of sanding, the bench was completed.
The final bench!
Joinery detail: Left leg
Joinery detail: Right leg
And it works! It actually supports the weight of at least two people, but there's no photographic evidence of it.
tl;dr:
A comic accurately depicting the bench making process. The humor of my bench resembling a coffin was not lost on me.
