Small bench from reclaimed wood

Back to: Projects5 Replies

Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Projects / Small bench from reclaimed wood

Tagged: ,

  • Author
    Posts
  • Gunny
    14 October 2015 at 4:45 pm #131313

    Hello everyone,

    I took on woodworking as a hobby some months ago after being inspired by Paul’s videos. This is my first completed project : just a small bench made from wood taken from an old tv stand that I got for free but didn’t like. I’m quite happy I managed to do everything by hand for this ! Only the curved moulding remains from the original furniture.
    I resawed the wood to dimension, replaned it to expose some fresh wood (the original finish didn’t age well) and cut the joinery : through-tenons for the top, and tusk tenons for the legs. I did not need to use any glue, it is holding up great by itself !

    I did not use any predefined design, I just went with what was in my head and did with the limitations of using reclaimed wood. It is far from perfect : the mortises are not very pretty, the feet are not very well finished as I didn’t really know how to cut them, and it has a bit too much space in the front, which makes it tip forward if you don’t sit far back enough.
    Nonetheless, it is functional, I had great fun and I learned a lot by making it !

    Attachments:
    You must be logged in to view attached files.
    Matt McGrane
    15 October 2015 at 1:46 am #131342

    Hey Gunny, that’s pretty cool. And for just recently getting into the hobby, those are more than just beginner joints. I love those tusk tenons and I’ve wanted to try that on a project – just not sure yet what that project will be.

    I thought I saw two different tenon ends poking through the top in the first photo. Then the second photo confirmed it. It’s one single board for the leg, right? Why the two sections of tenon?

    Frank Joseph
    15 October 2015 at 3:32 am #131347

    You did Reay good don’t knock it it looks just fine, and for a first project it’s great…
    Good luck keep going
    Frankj

    stevenrey56
    15 October 2015 at 4:18 am #131348

    I hope I do as well on my first project.

    Gunny
    15 October 2015 at 6:23 am #131351

    Hey Gunny, that’s pretty cool. And for just recently getting into the hobby, those are more than just beginner joints. I love those tusk tenons and I’ve wanted to try that on a project – just not sure yet what that project will be.

    I thought I saw two different tenon ends poking through the top in the first photo. Then the second photo confirmed it. It’s one single board for the leg, right? Why the two sections of tenon?

    You’re right in your observations : the leg is just a single board and there are two tenons. The reason for that is that in the space between the two was a dowel hole. It wouldn’t have been very nice to leave it, so I just cut out that section, hence the exclamation mark-shaped tenons.

    I’ve always loved tusk tenons, I think they’re a good and fun way to assemble furniture tightly without using glue and while being able to just knock it down if necessary (which, having moved out a lot these last years, I find quite useful).

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by Gunny.
    • This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by Gunny.
    • This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by Gunny.
    Marilyn Moreno
    15 October 2015 at 6:24 pm #131368

    Bench top already edged-trimmed. That’s a good use of an old piece.
    Great for your first project. To think, that you can only get better at this….

  • Author
    Posts
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.