Oak picnic bench straight from the log

[Rob D]

I've found that one of the easiest things to make and sell are rustic picnic benches.... the reason I think is everyone usually has space for them, they can be competitive with manufactured furniture and you have a built in table and seats.

 

 

If you make a table with separate benches it takes longer and is not so practical as the benches are too heavy to move in and out.

 

 

The mini mill with a 15" bar and cross cut chain flies through the wood and can be used to rip down planks. It makes it a pleasure to use... or more pleasurable anyways!

 

The vid isn't that good but basically:

 

 

• Get the top flat
  
• Mill a 3" board and place to one side
  
• Using the mini mill cut across the log at bottom, 27"-28" up, another 27" to 28" up and then 6' from there
  
• Mill a 3" plank and you bow have 2x 28" pieces (legs) and top (6')
  
• The legs are squared and at 3" sit nicely on the 6' piece
  
• Cut the first board you made down the center for seats and use the end of braces
  
• Put together and leave for 2 to 3 months
  
• Now the wood has surface dried spend an hour planing and sanding just to smarten it up
  

 

 

I sold x4 of these at a show for between £360-00 and £440-00 and you can make massive versions.... an upright support needs to go under the seat though or x2 big 'uns on one side will have it over!

 

 

 

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FM7Y8gVOaw&feature=channel&list=UL]Log to bench - YouTube[/ame]

 

 

 

 

And I made this one at home from planks off the same tree. Plan is to make a boatload of these now ready for a sand and tidy at the beginning of the next garden season.

[Joy Yeomans]

thanks for posting , great vid and pics

thanks

joy

[martwizz]

very smart! Wouldn't the bark fall off fairly quickly?

[silky fox]

Great video...interesting.

[Rob D]

very smart! Wouldn't the bark fall off fairly quickly?

 

 

 

Yep in hot weather the bark would fall off pretty fast - this is a benefit really as you need to be able to get in and sand it.... I leave until the bark falls off and the table's outside is dry and spend and hour sanding and planing.... It looks more 'finished' then and is ready to sell.

[Crazy Cutter]

Rob you were mentioned in the eastern daily press yesterday, there was a Mrs Green looking for her two walnuts to be taken down for free by the sounds of it and the gardening expert said you would be interested!

[Rob D]

Ha ha! Really? I may be interested if they were big enough/good colour but they'd have to be special to get my old truck and trailer that far afield!