The Tea House Garden Bench - Completed work.

[Brian Holcombe]

The Tea House Garden Bench is now completed, please have a read. I look forward to your comments.


https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/2017/06/27/tea-house-garden-bench-complete/



I always greatly appreciate the positive comments left by those who follow my blog, but please do not shy away from questions. I'd like to use this a leap off point for a discussion.


I'm working on article for a friend's magazine on my position with respect to exposed joinery, I will use this as one example in my writing and I'm happy to hear your opinions on the matter as well.

[Pat Barry]

The Tea House Garden Bench is now completed, please have a read. I look forward to your comments.


https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/2017/06/27/tea-house-garden-bench-complete/



I always greatly appreciate the positive comments left by those who follow my blog, but please do not shy away from questions. I'd like to use this a leap off point for a discussion.


I'm working on article for a friend's magazine on my position with respect to exposed joinery, I will use this as one example in my writing and I'm happy to hear your opinions on the matter as well.
Hey Brian -- Really like the exposed dovetail detail. Outstanding craftsmanship! How much does your bench weigh? Is it used outdoors? Also, what are the dimensions? H, W, L

[David Eisenhauer]

Nice, simple-looking, but, again with well thought out details that may not be apparent to the unschooled eye. I have always enjoyed your use of chamfers on exposed edges. Generally speaking, do you tend to use chisels or planes to chamfer edges or is it definitely dependent upon each case as to what you use. I tend to use a block plane on the larger-longer edges, but have only been "breaking" the edges rather than creating a larger chamfer that you use with great effect. Sideline question just out of curiosity - difference between working the "free whatever" and the "naval" brass?

[Christopher Charles]

Hello Brian,

A beautiful bench, I especially like the exposed dovetails and the small triangular chamfers add a special elegance.

Best,
C

[Prashun Patel]

Those dovetails are wonderful. Right down to the tapered bevel on the inside face. Great detail.

[John Kananis]

Oh Brian, how you intimidate me, lol. What a beauty - the piece is substantial yet proportional, the lines are clean and chamfers are beautifully executed. My favorite (I'm sure others will agree) are the semi-exposed dovetails. Kudos.

[Rob Luter]

Very nice. A tidy design and superb execution. I love the added detail of the reversed tails with chamfers and facets. I'd like one of those in my back yard. I better get busy.

[Brian Holcombe]

Hey Brian -- Really like the exposed dovetail detail. Outstanding craftsmanship! How much does your bench weigh? Is it used outdoors? Also, what are the dimensions? H, W, L

Thanks Pat! Not sure what it weighs, but I can pick it up by myself. It will be used outdoors. 18.5", 13-3/8", 72"


Nice, simple-looking, but, again with well thought out details that may not be apparent to the unschooled eye. I have always enjoyed your use of chamfers on exposed edges. Generally speaking, do you tend to use chisels or planes to chamfer edges or is it definitely dependent upon each case as to what you use. I tend to use a block plane on the larger-longer edges, but have only been "breaking" the edges rather than creating a larger chamfer that you use with great effect. Sideline question just out of curiosity - difference between working the "free whatever" and the "naval" brass?

Thanks David! Much appreciated. I usually do them by chamfer plane, if that won't work then I will use a little Japanese block plane and finally if that won't work then I do it with a chisel. The small teardrop shaped chamfers were by chisel, pretty much all the others were by planes.


Hello Brian,

A beautiful bench, I especially like the exposed dovetails and the small triangular chamfers add a special elegance.

Best,
C

Thank you!


Those dovetails are wonderful. Right down to the tapered bevel on the inside face. Great detail.

Thank you!


Oh Brian, how you intimidate me, lol. What a beauty - the piece is substantial yet proportional, the lines are clean and chamfers are beautifully executed. My favorite (I'm sure others will agree) are the semi-exposed dovetails. Kudos.

Haha! Thanks John!


Very nice. A tidy design and superb execution. I love the added detail of the reversed tails with chamfers and facets. I'd like one of those in my back yard. I better get busy.

Thank you! Making one is the easy part, actually putting it outside seems to be the hard part, lol.

[Kees Heiden]

Very nice work again. And a nice desig too. I think I could live with stuff like this. This Japanese inspiration scratches the itch of making complicated stuff, while at the same time it turns out stuff that looks great in modern homes. That in contrast to 18th century replica's, often very challenging to make too, but it looks totally out of place in many homes.

I've been reading your blog and it looks like you thought hard and deep about how to keep this piece in tact in anoutdoor setting. From the material choice (mahogany) to the repair of defects in the wood to much of the joinery, to the brass levelers under the feet. But dovetails? Outside? How do you think about that after a couple of years and after the glue fails?

[Oskar Sedell]

As usual, very nice work and a great read!

What is your take on leaving the dovetail base line gauge mark? When do you like to leave it, and when do you plane it off?

[Brian Holcombe]

Very nice work again. And a nice desig too. I think I could live with stuff like this. This Japanese inspiration scratches the itch of making complicated stuff, while at the same time it turns out stuff that looks great in modern homes. That in contrast to 18th century replica's, often very challenging to make too, but it looks totally out of place in many homes.

I've been reading your blog and it looks like you thought hard and deep about how to keep this piece in tact in anoutdoor setting. From the material choice (mahogany) to the repair of defects in the wood to much of the joinery, to the brass levelers under the feet. But dovetails? Outside? How do you think about that after a couple of years and after the glue fails?

Thank you! I certainly agree that it looks right in a modern home.

I had some hesitation with having end grain exposures on an outdoor project. However Chris Hall posted up photos of the outdoor work he's made over the course of the last four years, the mahogany held up beautifully. It was interesting to see how things like wedged through tenons looked and they were fine aside from some shrinking. I'll be curious to see how well it holds up in this case. It would seem typical that the wood will shrink to some degree, possibly leaving them slightly proud of the surface.



As usual, very nice work and a great read!

What is your take on leaving the dovetail base line gauge mark? When do you like to leave it, and when do you plane it off?

Thanks Oscar, I always leave them.

[Oskar Sedell]

thanks Brian!

[Eric R. Smith]

Brian, that bench would be a beauitiful addition to anyones garden. I would like to see it in its intended place along with the other tea garden furniture. I really enjoy your blog as it is an opportunity to learn and see how you execute the fine details that make the pieces. Thanks for posting!
Thanks,
Eric

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Eric! Much appreciated! I'll keep that in mind if the opportunity arises.

[Jerry Olexa]

Brian, as always, exceptional work!!! Very well done!

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Jerry!

[Phillip Mitchell]

Wow! I really love the chamfer details. I also really appreciate the simplicity in design; it speaks for itself.

I have a couple of questions; you may have covered this somewhere previously, but I've yet to get the chance to read all the blog posts in full.

Did you apply any finish to the piece aside from sealing the end grain on the legs? Will this bench be exposed to direct UV or live mostly in a shaded environment?

What is the finished thickness of the bench top and legs?

How do you think this design and construction would transpose to using Alaskan Yellow Cedar as the primary wood?

Thank you for doing what you do and sharing with everyone. I know I'm not the only one who sees your work and posts and is inspired and motivated.

[Brian Holcombe]

Thank you Phillip!

The finish is simply that left by the hand plane, the brightly polished surface works as its own water repellant. Assuming it goes into place as planned it will see UV, but it may end up covered most of the time.

I had considered yellow cedar for this project, very much so.

My pleasure, glad you are enjoying.

[Joe Hollis]

Wow. That is very fine work indeed.

Joe.

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Joe!