Garden bench

[eggsarascal]

I've just bought some cast iron bench ends that I'm going to shot blast and powder coat, what would be the best wood for the slats and what would be best to treat the slats?

[Stere]

Chesnut oak or larch

 

 

 

 

 

[bilke_user]

20 hours ago, Stere said:

Chesnut oak or larch

 

 

 

 

 

and Douglas

 

[Squaredy]

Assuming you mean local timber then Oak, but no sapwood or knots (except tiny ones maybe).  Sweet Chestnut equally durable but weaker - so may be fine depending on the unsupported length and thickness.  Whatever timber you use avoid knots and sapwood.

 

I agree Douglas Fir and Larch are OK, and Cypress if you can get hold of any - but not as durable as Oak/Chestnut.

 

Or of course you could go for reclaimed timber like teak, Jarra etc, which would be super durable - trouble is identifying what timber you have - the average reclamation yard won't know.

[roys]

On 01/05/2022 at 17:52, eggsarascal said:

I've just bought some cast iron bench ends that I'm going to shot blast and powder coat, what would be the best wood for the slats and what would be best to treat the slats?

I’m in the opposite situation, I have seat ends that need shot blasted and powder coated but I have loads of Iroko slats. If only you were closer we could swop.

[eggsarascal]

6 hours ago, Squaredy said:

Assuming you mean local timber then Oak, but no sapwood or knots (except tiny ones maybe).  Sweet Chestnut equally durable but weaker - so may be fine depending on the unsupported length and thickness.  Whatever timber you use avoid knots and sapwood.

 

I agree Douglas Fir and Larch are OK, and Cypress if you can get hold of any - but not as durable as Oak/Chestnut.

 

Or of course you could go for reclaimed timber like teak, Jarra etc, which would be super durable - trouble is identifying what timber you have - the average reclamation yard won't know.

I was thinking local timber but now you've mentioned it I quite like the idea of reclaimed timber, if I go down the reclaimed route I'll post pictures here if I'm not sure what the timber is.

[eggsarascal]

3 hours ago, roys said:

I’m in the opposite situation, I have seat ends that need shot blasted and powder coated but I have loads of Iroko slats. If only you were closer we could swop.

Isn't that always the case, out of interest where are you based?

[Woodworks]

3 hours ago, roys said:

I’m in the opposite situation, I have seat ends that need shot blasted and powder coated but I have loads of Iroko slats. If only you were closer we could swop.

I hate to say this but dont count on iroko lasting well. Restored an old bench for my mum with iroko slats and some of they rotted in 5 years. Now I know our climate here on Dartmoor is not representative of many areas but even so 5 years for poor mans teak was hellish disappointing. To be fair some of the slats are still sound

[roys]

23 minutes ago, eggsarascal said:

Isn't that always the case, out of interest where are you based?

Split my time between Central Scotland and SW Scotland

[roys]

11 minutes ago, Woodworks said:

I hate to say this but dont count on iroko lasting well. Restored an old bench for my mum with iroko slats and some of they rotted in 5 years. Now I know our climate here on Dartmoor is not representative of many areas but even so 5 years for poor mans teak was hellish disappointing. To be fair some of the slats are still sound

Was hoping a good dose of Danish oil wood protect it. Mmmmm