My boss has asked me to build a bench that will be placed in a fire
pit. I'm thinking of using osage orange, due to its rot resistance.
At any rate, the bench is to have 3 or 4 sections. The first is a
6-foot straight section, followed by 180 degrees of a radius-type deal
with an outside diameter of about 6 feet. If it makes it any easier,
more or less sections can be arranged.
My thoughts so far are to build a set of "trusses" and bend 1/2"
square pieces around the radius and screw them to the profiles of the
benches. If there's any way I could avoid a whole lot of waste by
doing something like this, that would be okay, I think. But perhaps
it would be easier to just bandsaw the curved seat pieces out of wider
stock. The problem there is, how to contour the seat (not necessary,
but would be nice).
At any rate, if someone could give some pointers here, I'd appreciate
it.
Thanks,
-Phil Crow
"Phil Crow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My boss has asked me to build a bench that will be placed in a fire
> pit. I'm thinking of using osage orange, due to its rot resistance.
>
> At any rate, the bench is to have 3 or 4 sections. The first is a
> 6-foot straight section, followed by 180 degrees of a radius-type deal
> with an outside diameter of about 6 feet. If it makes it any easier,
> more or less sections can be arranged.
>
> My thoughts so far are to build a set of "trusses" and bend 1/2"
> square pieces around the radius and screw them to the profiles of the
> benches. If there's any way I could avoid a whole lot of waste by
> doing something like this, that would be okay, I think. But perhaps
> it would be easier to just bandsaw the curved seat pieces out of wider
> stock. The problem there is, how to contour the seat (not necessary,
> but would be nice).
>
> At any rate, if someone could give some pointers here, I'd appreciate
> it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Phil Crow
First off, I would wait to see how it sits before I placed it "in" the fire
pit ;-).
Wood choice varies greatly but I would plan on a laminating technique for
any of them. Instead of trying to cut or bend one solid piece
Build a form and bend several thin veneers/layers of the wood to the form.
There are several soaking or steaming scenario's that would work very well.
An alternative to bending would be to end join with splines angle cut pieces
into an octagon then cut out the curves on a bandsaw with a radius jig. Or
use a router with a circle cutting jig. (Yes these jigs will be in the 4' to
6' range) Then cut the curves into sections and glue 'em front to back.
Either of these methods would allow you to stagger the components vertically
to allow for the contour. Ineresting concept, I may have to try this
myself... hmmm maybe Cypress.
EJ
I'm not sure of the term but it's gluing the faces together so 12, 1/4"
pieces would form a 3 " board. gorilla glue may work
but I would probably read the labels on some marine adhesives first before
commencing This scenario would need to be sealed and varnished like a boat.
Go to Norms website at www.newyankee.com and look at the Redwood garden
arbor. He has plans and a video that describes my 2nd idea of end gluing
segments together to form anoctagon then cut in to an arch. That could
easily be adapted.
EJ
>
> First off, I would wait to see how it sits before I placed it "in" the fire
> pit ;-).
> Wood choice varies greatly but I would plan on a laminating technique for
> any of them. Instead of trying to cut or bend one solid piece
> Build a form and bend several thin veneers/layers of the wood to the form.
> There are several soaking or steaming scenario's that would work very well.
> An alternative to bending would be to end join with splines angle cut pieces
> into an octagon then cut out the curves on a bandsaw with a radius jig. Or
> use a router with a circle cutting jig. (Yes these jigs will be in the 4' to
> 6' range) Then cut the curves into sections and glue 'em front to back.
> Either of these methods would allow you to stagger the components vertically
> to allow for the contour. Ineresting concept, I may have to try this
> myself... hmmm maybe Cypress.
>
> EJ
Thanks, y'all, for the tips. Jay, I knew that about bows, but I
didn't equate that to osage orange being a bendy wood for whatever
reason. Looks up, sees nothing, I guess.
EJ, I'm afraid I'm a little lost with your suggestions. I have
trouble sometimes with visualization. I'm right with you through "cut
the curves out with a bandsaw" but then I get a little lost. If I've
got flat, curved pieces of wood with a six foot radius, why cut them?
For the sections of the bench? Also, by gluing them "front to back"
does that mean glue several pieces of, say, 3" wide pieces to make a
9" wide piece? If they're all the same radius, can I still do that?
I must admit that I feel a little muddled.
Also, should I be worried about laminated pieces delaminating after a
year or two? I know the homeowner won't be thrilled to have her
large, rather expensive bench turn into a large, rather expensive pile
of lath after a few rainstorms. Is Gorilla glue my answer?
This will be the largest and most complicated project I've attempted
yet, and I wonder if this is the one to be my first 'for hire' WW
project.
Also, sorry about not getting back sooner; I've been in Columbus
building a deck for a friend of mine.
Thanks,
-Phil Crow
On Tue, 11 May 2004 07:27:09 -0500, "Eric Johnson" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>I'm not sure of the term but it's gluing the faces together so 12, 1/4"
>pieces would form a 3 " board. gorilla glue may work
>but I would probably read the labels on some marine adhesives first before
>commencing This scenario would need to be sealed and varnished like a boat.
>Go to Norms website at www.newyankee.com and look at the Redwood garden
>arbor. He has plans and a video that describes my 2nd idea of end gluing
>segments together to form anoctagon then cut in to an arch. That could
>easily be adapted.
>
>EJ
>
Thanks for clarifying, Eric. I've got the idea now. I think what
I'll wind up doing is just gluing up a panel roughly the size of the
seat (for 1/3 of the half-circle, about 2ft by 7ft) and use a big
circle-cutting jig for my router with a 1/2" straight cutting bit to
make the individual slats. For the front and rear rails of the seat
and the top of the back support, I'll laminate some thinner pieces. I
must admit, I'm excited about this prospect, and I hope that I get the
job. I'll be sure to post pics to abpw if I do.
Thanks again,
-Phil Crow
On 6 May 2004 04:04:43 -0700, [email protected] (Phil Crow) wrote:
>My thoughts so far are to build a set of "trusses" and bend 1/2"
>square pieces around the radius and screw them to the profiles of the
>benches. If there's any way I could avoid a whole lot of waste by
>doing something like this, that would be okay, I think. But perhaps
>it would be easier to just bandsaw the curved seat pieces out of wider
>stock. The problem there is, how to contour the seat (not necessary,
>but would be nice).
Osage orange is a very bendable wood. In doing a bit of googling, I found that
it was used by the Osage Indians in making their bows, and by settlers in making
the hubs and rims of wagon wheels. As such, you should have no trouble bending
the wood to the radius you propose.
WRT the contour, maybe you could just build the appropriate angles into the
trusses and make a notch where each piece will sit to help hold the shape and
aid in bending.
>At any rate, if someone could give some pointers here, I'd appreciate
>it.
Disclaimer: I'm really not qualified to classify the above as "pointers". Use
at your own risk.
Keep us posted.
JP
>Thanks,
>
>-Phil Crow