Vyrolan Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 I finally completed my first "real" project. A bench for the entryway where visitors can take off and put on their shoes. The design is adapted from various bench designs online and my wife picked some of the details (most notably slats on top instead of solid and the stain color). I'm not happy with the finish, but my wife wanted it to be like a dark "rustic" grayish look. It looked much better after the first coat of an espresso with the grain really popping. The grain still shows somewhat but all in all I think it fits the spot pretty well and looks ok. I won't bore you all with mistakes and whatnot...suffice it to say I learned a lot and would do countless things different if I built it again. =p Here was the original SketchUp: In its place at the door: Some closer shots to remind so many of you why you're forever bored with red oak. =p 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Looks great in place! Pictures are a little grainy but, it looks to be well built! What did you use for joinery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 I'd have no problem planting my hind end on that .. nice job! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted December 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Yea iPhone photos not the best. I'd have to actually setup one of my computers to use the real camera though. =p The frames are pocket screwed together and then screwed and glued to the legs. The aprons are attached with pocket screws as well. The slats use glue and dowels and also screws through the supports from below. When I started this, I knew little and had only a drill and a circular saw so screws were a fact of life. I'd have no problem planting my hind end on that .. nice job! It holds my (rather substantial) weight with no give or creaks so I'm rather pleased with that. =p it's probably over-engineered in that regard. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Yea iPhone photos not the best. I'd have to actually setup one of my computers to use the real camera though. =p The frames are pocket screws and screwed and glued to the legs. The aprons are attached with pocket screws as well. The slats use glue and dowels and also screws through the supports from below. When I started this, I knew little and had only a drill and a circular saw so screws were a fact of life. No apologies needed! You did a fine job! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Tidy, you judged the finish to match the context of your home....like a pro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Very nice. I like the slats; makes it look lighter than a solid top. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Nice job! The mistakes only exist if you tell people about them...no one will know, especially "normal" people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Nice job! The mistakes only exist if you tell people about them...no one will know, especially "normal" people. Does that mean that we who work with wood are abnormal? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Nice work, V. Certainly something to be proud of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Does that mean that we who work with wood are abnormal? Yes. Especially you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrewG Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Nice job! The mistakes only exist if you tell people about them...no one will know, especially "normal" people. I think they're called "muggles". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted December 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Tidy, you judged the finish to match the context of your home....like a pro It's actually a bit darker than the slats. I need to post a natural light shot. That's one of the reasons it's over-stained which washes out the grain...it had come out almost perfectly matching the floor which looked a bit odd. =p Very nice. I like the slats; makes it look lighter than a solid top. Dave I think it gives it an outdoor look. I wish I had made some of the pieces smaller (for example the legs are overkill at 3"x3" I think)...that might have given it the look of a garden bench brought inside. The judge, jury, and executioner came back with a verdict of "it looks good"...but she did say it was "too shiny". It's 3 coats of water-based poly in semigloss. After it cured I sanded it lightly trying to take away some of the reflective aspect and then smoothed with paper bag (hat tip Terry) so it's real nice and smooth to the touch. Not sure how I could have done less shiny without changing the way it was finished entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Use a gray abrasive pad to knock down the gloss, follow it with a white pad to polish it back up to what you like. Yea ,the legs are a bit thick but it should last a long time in your entryway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted December 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Use a gray abrasive pad to knock down the gloss, follow it with a white pad to polish it back up to what you like. Like these? http://www.rockler.com/synthetic-finishing-pads-3-pack I looked around my HD and Menards for stuff like those...and never sure if any given product on Amazon is right. That's why I ended up doing my best with some higher grit sandpaper by hand. =/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 13, 2014 Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 Yep, ScotchBrite is one brand, Mirka makes them as well as others . I have some that have a velcro back and mount on my ETS 150 sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 My wife said the same on a few painted tables I finished with waterbased satin finish. 500 grit Mirca pad on the ROS took most all the shine out. Dust took care of the rest. Lighting obviously will make a substantial difference as well...sometimes that's the least labor intensive fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 nice job Vyrolan!Yep, ScotchBrite is one brand, Mirka makes them as well as others . I have some that have a velcro back and mount on my ETS 150 sander.I really like Mirka Mirlon, I hit all my varnished pieces with the 1500 grit. the 2500 grit is almost to fine, as it starts to make the piece glossy again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 14, 2014 Report Share Posted December 14, 2014 Very nice job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 nice looking bench there. Look forward to your next project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HausWerks Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Great first project. My first real project ended up in the dumpster. It was a 7' tall cabinet that slipped into a drywall opening. I drew it, made cutlist, then assembled the sides and top in the wrong orientation. So it was an inch too wide. Glue the crap out of it screwed and stapled the back on with 2 times the amount of necessary staples. No recovery. I learned soooo much on that one, that on the rebuild that wouldn't happen again.. so i recut all new parts and rebuild, this time its perfect. Not. I only measured the front of the opening not the back. The opening was so racked that 1/2 inch narrower wasn't enough and it got wedged in the back. But at least it wasnt glued and the back had was stapled properly. So you know what they say. .. 3rd tims a charm. Every time i build a cab or measure for a build its instinct now. Btw i looked a closely at the pics and nothing was obvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted January 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks HausWerks. I've grown quite fond of the bench as I've done more projects especially thinking how I basically only had a circular saw and a drill/driver when I built it. It's at the base of the steps so sometimes I sit on it before heading up to bed just because. =) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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