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  • Sitting Bench -- Finishing Touches
  • From "Wood Works"
    episode WWK-108
    advertisement

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    The combination of fine materials and classic design blend to give this Asian-inspired sitting bench its soft grace.

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    The tapered angles and sculpted form of the legs, and the gently curved seat, create an impression that is both exotic and serene.

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    The purpleheart wood discs on the legs provide a bold, distinctive accent.

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

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    Figure F

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    Figure G

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    Figure H

    With the curved surfaces of the legs and seat sculpted, the surfaces will be smoothed and brought to a fine finish. Then the piece will be assembled and treated with a wood finish.

    Materials:

    Dual-action pneumatic sander
    Epoxy glue
    Linseed oil; tung oil; polyurethane finish
    Paintbrushes
    Clean rags
    Protective rubber gloves

    Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when working with wood, saws, drills, routers, etc.

    Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves when working with wood stains and solvents.

    Steps:

    1. A dual-action pneumatic palm sander is used for the final smoothing and shaping of the elements of the bench (figure A). Sanding begins with a 60-grit sanding disc and gradually progresses up through various grades, until the surface is finished off with a very fine 320-grit sander. By the time 320-grit is used, all of the coarse scratches have been removed from the surface of the wood, and the figure of the wood has been smoothed and clarified.

    2. After all of the sanding is complete, one last dry-fit is done (figure B) to ensure that the joinery fits neatly and securely before glueup.

      • Tip: The double tenons cut in the tops of the legs are used rather than a single long tenon. The notch between the two shorter tenons (figure C) provides two additional long-grain surfaces. The long-grain surfaces in the tenons match the long-grain surfaces in the double-mortise cut in the seat bottom. Gluing long-grain to long-grain ensures the strongest possible bond and makes for very secure joinery.

    3. With all the pieces completed and double-checked for fit, glueup can begin. Quick-drying epoxy is applied inside the mortises (figure D) and onto the adjoining surfaces and tenons of the legs to glue the tenons to the mortises.

    4. The pieces are assembled (figure E) and clamped securely (figure F) as the glue hardens. It's important to make certain that the tops of the legs are clamped firmly at 90 degrees to the wedge cuts on the bottom of the seat.

    5. Quick-drying epoxy is used to attach the purpleheart discs into the circular recesses cut on the side of each leg (figure G).

    6. For the wood finish, a blend of linseed and tung oil and polyurethane is applied to the wood surface (figure H). The linseed oil soaks deeply into the wood and brings out the rich colors, depth and character of the grain. The tung oil and polyurethane provide a protective finish to the surface.

    Tip: To maintain the soft sheen of the sitting bench, simply use a small amount of furniture wax occasionally and buff it with a soft cloth.

    Sponsored Resource
    > Click here to order your tools and materials for this project from Woodcraft!


    RESOURCES :

    Fine Woodworking
    A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
    The Taunton Press Inc.
    Website: www.taunton.com

    The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
    Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
    Publisher: Taunton Press
    ISBN: 1561580619


    Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
    Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
    Publisher: Taunton Press
    ISBN: 1561583456

    Mastering Woodworking Machines (Fine Woodworking Book)
    Author: Mark Duginske
    Publisher: Taunton Press
    ISBN: 0942391985

    David Marks Website
    David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

    The Complete Book of Wood Joinery
    Author: Robert J. Decristoforo
    Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co. ISBN: 0806999500

    Advanced Woodworking
    Model: 0783539126
    Author: Editors of Time Life Books
    1998
    Time-Life Books Inc.
    Website: www.timelife.com

    Popular Woodworking
    F & W Publications, Inc.
    Website: www.popularwoodworking.com

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