davewyo

To reduce the cost I opted for a non sliding CMS. It won't cut wide stock, but that isn't as much of a drawback as might be imagined.

I hang cabinets for a living. We routinely put some brad nails in the dovetails at the back of the drawers we assemble. It doesn't show and it gives more strength while the glue is drying. On a couple of the lines we install the backs and sides are secured with hot glue and staples. It's not uncommon.

I've been watching since I made those cabriole legs a while back. He certainly is a great source of nifty techniques. Well worth watching.

Richard, everyone knows you have a heart of gold.

You may have to use an inset door hinge in order for your doors to open as far as possible.

For solid wood you could make it as if it's a frame and panel which would require a gap around the panel to allow movement of the maple. This gap can be rather decorative.

It's my understanding that Brendon is going to spin up a batch when he drops by to borrow the bench. Thanks everyone for playing along. I'll try to remember to post a follow-up photo when I refinish the bench in (hopefully) a year.

The bench is at the front entry (which I seldom use.) The finish isn't as wet and glossy as in previous photos. It's more of that oiled deck furniture look, but the color is still plenty dark and rich. I'm happy with it. We'll see how it ages outdoors in the elements.

I hadn't put finish on them yet.

Yeah, I'm trying to move along rather than my usual pace. I put on the finish today. I ended up using a deck and outdoor furniture product called Preserva Wood.

Today I completed the shaping of the legs. It's subtle but it's there. Then I added some cleats to attach the top later and I glued up the lower assembly.

Yes, the method I used is certainly not the only "right" way. Like all things woodworking there are often several valid ways to get a job done. To my way of thinking, any method that creates a solid, long-lasting joint is "right". The beauty is that we all get to decide which of the "right" ways is the way we want to do the task.

That bench looks great! I might have to break down and buy a finish rather than use the Tung Oil.

Thanks, Paul. I don't recall you having any trouble getting nice clean joinery. All of your projects appear to be top notch to me, so your aspirations are coming true. I had to play a couple of Y-Tube videos to find out who Bonamassa is too.

Thank you JBag. I've been trying to use some finishes that I have on hand rather than buy something new, but I'm not going so far as to put on an inappropriate product just so I can use up what I have. So...I am thinking of using some Hope's 100% Tung Oil that I got a while back. Or alternatively I'm thinking of buying some kind of outdoor deck oil like Thompson's or the like. I'm certain that I don't want any type of finish which builds up a film, mainly because I plan on re-oiling the bench on a yearly basis and I don't want to strip any old finish which has flaked or lifted in any way. Can you go into more detail as to how the Cabot's held up over time? Have you refinished the benches at all? Are they dry looking or discolored? Does this deck stain have any pigment in it? I'm looking for a clear oil without any varnish.