I get logs from a local arborist. Sometimes I make something for him in return. Recently he asked me to make a bench like this.
![[Image: AM-JKLWkyt_RpQxO7FBrM_0oRTcTPJ1no8S6C7xv...authuser=1]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWkyt_RpQxO7FBrM_0oRTcTPJ1no8S6C7xv3zyIMyjr-bTvM5PCY6VgqWJm_JPYSxC-Vt2TiR-PvSSE7AAfzokypUGL4AAezSl7_y6SNTHFR_p3Rh_k1mkTxSXyTv-qyo97IEfBtysmtL_XUAirmbbGuA=w1470-h828-no?authuser=1)
It's cherry, the last of my 8/4 stock, with a strip of Sapele. I had to add the Sapele to get the 19-1/4" width needed for the finger joints to be symmetrical with the 1-3/4" thickness. I like the contrast. Hopefully, he will, too. The bench is 48 x 19-1/4 x 15" H. It's finished with a coat of Sealcoat shellac followed by Target Coating satin EM-8000CV + CL.
I cut the finger joints using a piloted mortising bit to follow these templates that I cut on my CNC.
![[Image: AM-JKLWH8dnpNhI5FbLU8ZS4ENNQE_9KQZSc9Dga...authuser=1]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWH8dnpNhI5FbLU8ZS4ENNQE_9KQZSc9DgaceszCd8gJ4izBeDDSS-o9LdeJcxVD-Ew_32sGzO9LTZJ8yzde0goGgTMxSFN_qhuokQwRQrBDGVvNLHcrnMkfDHhRJUcuzUX2MosRT-qQOjs6eS5Kt2g-A=w1470-h828-no?authuser=1)
They fit so tight that some hand paring was required to loosen them up a little, but it was far easier than cutting them by hand.
![[Image: AM-JKLUjy2vGmUMmLIzdRFbxsGP3cWkKMUwOWLey...authuser=1]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUjy2vGmUMmLIzdRFbxsGP3cWkKMUwOWLeyP1oHXsfgZvXBrv_QjI_3ky7Eqvf3PH9Zefl4587yx5sayV_wyb7Bg93lPGdEVvrp4mA0zOwXLsBDYoA2afnxXwn6Q_GsA2KK3dQWZe1LFVpSQ0k-VZ98Vw=w1470-h828-no?authuser=1)
I hope he likes it.
John
It's cherry, the last of my 8/4 stock, with a strip of Sapele. I had to add the Sapele to get the 19-1/4" width needed for the finger joints to be symmetrical with the 1-3/4" thickness. I like the contrast. Hopefully, he will, too. The bench is 48 x 19-1/4 x 15" H. It's finished with a coat of Sealcoat shellac followed by Target Coating satin EM-8000CV + CL.
I cut the finger joints using a piloted mortising bit to follow these templates that I cut on my CNC.
They fit so tight that some hand paring was required to loosen them up a little, but it was far easier than cutting them by hand.
I hope he likes it.
John