Bench leg frames.
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Hello folks.
I decided to incorporate ideas from a European style bench to make the legs and benchtop flush. I’ve also increased the size of the legs to 3-1/4 x 5-1/4 inches. My question is would 2×6 material be okay for the cross rails and stretchers or should I beef those up to 4×4 or 4×6 stock planed down to the same dimensions as the legs?
You wouldn’t have to beef up the stretchers or rails, unless you want to increase the overall weight of the bench. The extra size of the stretchers wouldn’t add anything to the stability of the bench. Having said that, I made my stretchers beefy to match the size of the legs and I like how that looks (and I wanted the extra weight). But my rails (front to back members) are a bit thinner and they do their job well.
Hi Chayne, I did just as you are doing when I made my bench. Legs flush with the vise side apron and increased size to about the size you are using. I used the 2X6 material for the barers and stretchers.
I don’t think you need to go to 4X4 or 4X6 stuff unless you want the extra weight or just for looks. My benchtop is 5″ thick so it is heavy enough.
The legs are actually laminated 2X4 and 4X4 with a length of 2X6 laminated to the wide face of the leg to make it flush with the vise side apron. I used thickened epoxy resin for the leg glue-up. I am very pleased with the modifications to the legs. The stability of Paul’s design with the weges negates the need for lengthwise stretchers IMO.