Scribing the boards
This job is all about transferring the contour of the tree to the ends of the platform boards using a compass fitted with a pencil. Start by positioning your first slat on top of the bench frame, with the end of the board tight against the trunk. Next, set the legs of the compass as wide as the widest distance between the tree and board. Now you're all set for scribing.
Hold the compass with the pencil tip resting on the board and the point of the compass touching the tree. Trace the contour of the tree with the point while holding the pencil against the board. This is scribing-there's nothing to it.
Once the board has been scribed, use a jigsaw to cut out the shape. Test-fit the board, then attach it to the joists with screws, leaving a 1/2" gap between the lumber and tree trunk. As you do this, leave the scribed boards longer than necessary-you'll trim them all to length after installation. Continue scribing and fitting the boards until you've circled the whole trunk. You should also understand that someday you might have to reposition the tree boards as the trunk grows. Complete construction by attaching the remaining full boards to complete the surface.
Finishing the bench
Before applying the final finish, add hardwood pegs to lock the tenons into the leg mortises. Even though you glued them earlier, the mechanical connection is a good idea. Drill 1/4"-dia. holes through the face of the legs into the tenons, then drive 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" square hardwood pegs into the holes. Sharpen the pegs in a pencil sharpener and add some glue before driving them home. Once the glue has cured, cut the pegs off flush.
Round the outside edges of the platform using a 1/2"-dia. roundover bit in a handheld router, then smooth the whole bench using a random-orbit sander spinning 50- to 80-grit paper. I applied three coats of Sikkens Cetol 1 to protect the bench from the elements.
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2 Comments
You have a really good magazine with very creative and unique plans. However, it would be very convenient if these plans, with the accompanying article, would be summarized into one downloadable PDF. It's really tedious to have to print each page, pdf, image individually. At the very least, could you make so that the entire article prints when you click the "print" link, instead of each page???
You have a really good magazine with very creative and unique plans. However, it would be very convenient if these plans, with the accompanying article, would be summarized into one downloadable PDF. It's really tedious to have to print each page, pdf, image individually. At the very least, could you make so that the entire article prints -- without all the extraneous ads and web stuff -- when you click the "print" link, instead of each page???