Shaker-Style Bench Seat: Episode 7
Posted 17 September 2014
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In this final episode, Paul adds an extra feature to add strength the structure. He shows how to shape and fit a couple of brackets and spindles to the back of the bench to support the comb rail. This nicely completes the Shaker-Style Deacon’s Bench.
Paul great series, I loved it and as mentioned a couple of these will be made for me and my Family. Thanks for all the tips that has been shared, I am still learning something new all the time.
Steve
Paul this will be hard to beat but I know you will.
Having grown up in the midatlantic area I have seen Shaker style furniture all my life . This bench keeps to the style and strength Shakers where known for. Iam betting you will see a lot of builds from this design in years to come.
Thnk You
Frankj
I’ve really enjoyed watching this bench come to life, Paul. It’s truly been an eye-opener to see how much can be done with hand tools. It’s a beautiful bench and you are a wonderful teacher.
David
Such a wonderful work! There has, until now, never been a single episode without this great moment of surprisingly simple and ingenious ways to make work a pleasure.
Today it was for me the 82° angle finding.
Just Awesome ! Thanks a lot Paul!
I’m at the minute 17 area and it seems a perfect place to ask for recommendations on rasps & files.
I have rescued from garage sale rust buckets a couple of files, one flat and the other half-round, that I use on a desperation basis, because I’ve not been able to decide what a good 2 or 3 piece rasp/file “set” should consist of.
Is it possible in your opinion to reduce the hundreds of choices available to such a small “beginner’s” list?
By the way, if I were to choose but one word to describe the WW Masterclasses it would be awesome.
Jack
Jack,
I recall from blogs past that Paul acquired a few AURIOU hand stitched woodworking rasps, and I believe that’s the rasp he’s using. They’re beautiful, hand made (and expensive). I’d love to have a few my self, but until the budget allows, it’s not hard to find some basic, less expensive rasps online, at Woodcraft or Highland, or other places. I’ve used a cheapo set of rasps from Harbor Frieght which are super aggressive, so they only work for very rough work. But the Harbor Frieght files do a fair job of cleaning up the rough work. Ultimately you’ll get what you pay for, but if you’re not using these tools everyday, the cheap rasps/files can get the job done. Hope that helps.
The bench build is great, but the teaching and lessons learned are priceless. Paul, in my opinion, you are one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. I appreciate watching you actually do the things you talk about, no smoke and mirrors here. As we say here in the US, you are the real McCoy, and I appreciate that. Keep up the good work.
Ron
Would it be feasible to make the brace from two pieces? It would eliminate the need to plane into an end stop so to speak. Or would that compromise the strenght?
You could make it from two laminated pieces but that would take out the exercise and purpose of including it in the make. Choice is yours. None of what I did was difficult and i found it more rewarding knowing the skill was used.
Fantastic , such a great project , Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!!.
All done with only hand tools too!
If I had designed this bench myself I would be worried as to whether the back braces are strong enough. After all the support is only 1/4″ at its thinnest point.
But I am happy to assume Paul knows what he is doing. A great project!
John B
Hi Jack
I have two half round Liogier rasps a 250 mm and a 300mm , one course one medium, these are also French hand stitched. You can only buy them direct from the factory They are expensive but they remove material very quickly and with a much better finish than any machined rasps I have used .
http://www.hand-stitched-rasp-riffler.com/tradition/woodworking/mi-ronde.html
I have the 9″ cabinetmaker rasp from Liogier and I can confirm they are expensive but they are very good.
I realize tonight watching this that it’s not what you do, it is that fact that you show what is possible.
Thank you Paul & company.
Let me out let me out! Very good Paul that made me laugh haha
Did I hear Paul say you could use redwood for the spindles? If so would redwood work for the legs too?
Thanks
Tom