Firepit Bench project

[woodlandfarms]

Pulled a bent cedar over the other day. Was getting ready to turn it into firewood and then it hit me to try and slab it with the Alaskan mill. Learned a lot, will be better the next time.

Now just working on getting some "feet" under it, v cut rounds from another part of the tree will work.

 

[crash325]

Like your thoughts & project. Be sure to post more pics as you progress.

 

[Wagtail]

That will be a great project!

Great, now I have 105 things to do around here. Thanks a LOT! :laughing:

 

[ustmd]

That is going to be a great looking bench. I am jealous as we don't get cedar like that here.

 

[cqaigy2]

That's pretty cool, looks perfect for a bench.

 

[EddieWalker]

Awesome idea!!!! Now I'm going to go look for a curved tree on my land.

Instead of using wood for the feet under it, which always seem to rot out pretty quickly, can you use rock or even blocks?

Eddie

 

[DT86]

Now just working on getting some "feet" under it, v cut rounds from another part of the tree will work.

Looks good. I have something similar we cut from poplar but half that long.

You may already know this but you'll need a center foot. One person sitting in the center with out one will flip the whole mess over backwards. Ask me how I know

 

[hunterridgefarm]

That is nice:thumbsup:. I love working with wood and some trees on my property that have some large burls I am keeping my eye on.

That would also make a great bench for inside a house or covered porch.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Dude!! :thumbsup:

 

[forgeblast]

Wow that is awesome! you could pour some piers for it to sit on, or Robin Wood :: wooden bowls & plates :: traditional turning :: spoon carving :: countryside furniture has some examples of wooden benches.

 

[scoutcub]

Great idea, looks awesome. Don't let the fire get too close to the bench, though.....:laughing:

 

[woodlandfarms]

So I have yet to put legs (cedar rounds) on any of the bench ideas I have for the moment. More because I haven't fully decided where to put them..

But as an update, two more things have happened. I picked up a electric planer from CPO. A nice bosch for under $100. ran it across the wood and wow, that works. A bit tedious as it is 3.5" increments but it gets the job done. I will hit it with the belt sander to finish then stain / seal

This poses a question, anyone have suggestions about what to use? I am also mulling not using anything, So what if they rot in 20 years, I will be rotting as well. They are made out of Big Leaf Maple or cedar. I know the cedar will last, not so sure about the maple.

As an expirement, I cut a log that was rotted out on one side in what they call a diagonal slab. Conclusions are that it works, the grain really becomes interesting, but you need grainier wood than maple. Also, i think a more sever cut, thus a much wider / longer log would be ideal. But I could see this making a stunning table top...

I think I am going to make this into a bench with a back.

 

[HarryN]

So, how did you cut a curve with the Alaskan Mill? I assume cut, reposition, cut, reposition, etc.
Any pic's?
Cool idea. Thanks for posting it.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Pulled a bent cedar over the other day. Was getting ready to turn it into firewood and then it hit me to try and slab it with the Alaskan mill. Learned a lot, will be better the next time.

Now just working on getting some "feet" under it, v cut rounds from another part of the tree will work.

That'll make a great bench and a great conversation piece all at the same time...cool

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[Rayster]

I concur with the awesome statement :thumbsup:

 

[woodlandfarms]

As the pictures, I use the aluminum ladder for the first cut. It works, more flexible than I wish or thought it would be but it works. For the cedar, yes i repositioned the ladder halfway through. I would NOT do it that way again. Instead I would use 2X8 and some blocking / bracing and make a sled that way. when I twisted the ladder, even with my best laid plans, it really fell apart.

 

[crash325]

Your bench may be a little softer than mine. :laughing:

 

[Midniteoyl]

How about just clear deck sealer?


You could use spar varnish cut by half.. would soak in good but still have that 'natural' feel. 2 coats.

 

[cqaigy2]

Years ago, i saw an article about some test done on wood siding/structures. I believe it was done by the USFS. Rain and sun are the problem, with sun being the bigger issue because of the ultra violet breaking down the proteins/lignin causing cracking which let moisture in which caused the wood to crack...so on, the best thing they found was a mixture of spar varnish, paraffin and a solvent of some sort to carry the spar varnish and paraffin. The very best was to soak the lumber for many days but brushing on numerous times was good too. I sounded as though it soaked in and wasn't sticky or anything like that.

 

[forgeblast]

I have made some sealers with mineral spirits, beeswax and linseed oil, mixed in a double boiler it does soak in but my worry about using something like this is the heat next to the fire, will it make the waxes run again.