Sycamore bench

[Prashun Patel]

This bench is from a sycamore slab that used to be a table. I haven't put a finish on it yet, and still have to trim the feet.

I've been practicing Windsor chair joints lately. I love them. They're fun to turn, forgiving, and ingenious. I used glue on this, but I suspect it wasn't even needed.

The tenons into the bench are tapered and wedged.

I've been following Peter Galbert and have used his mirror technique for drilling the angled holes.

This project also helped me learn to use a lathe skew chisel.

I like these softer hardwoods. They're easier to cut, and plane.

[Mark Rainey]

Impressive turning skills Prashun...I have yet to get into turning. I know what you mean about “softer” hardwoods...they are a joy to work with for hand tool people. Mahogany is a dream, butternut like butter. I will keep an eye out for sycamore, and I understand sassafras is very workable also.

[Von Bickley]

Great looking bench....

[Jim Becker]

That, my friend...is one darn attractive table that's executed with excellence!

[Bill McNiel]

Your work continues to improve in both design and execution with each piece. Kudos for taking on new challenges and being so successful.

[Jeff Considine]

Beautiful work. The dimensions of the legs are somehow more pleasing to me than most things in that style - are they larger than 'normal'?

[Prashun Patel]

Funny you say that, Jeff. I Feel the same way about Windsor styles. I wanted them a little chunky and less traditional.

I spent way too much time on this. The stretcher is 48” pong and posed some vibration challenges. I finished that with spokeshaves.

I also wanted an arched stretcher but was not able to get the parts to line up sufficiently.

[Frederick Skelly]

I like this a lot Prashun. I agree with Jeff - like the heavier legs. The shape of the seat also caught my eye. The overall design resonates with me.

[Prashun Patel]

Thanks guys. I really love making these socketed joints. Galbert uses mirrors and bevel gauges to keep the hole true to the compound angle. Then you use a reamer and get a second chance to adjust the angle just so. Finally, if the tapers are off, the wedge fixes that too.

I should have tapered the feet more.

That scoop on the seat was an after thought. Again, I spent too my time on it. Originally I wanted a sharp v at the nadir, but I couldn’t plane it just so, so I switched to a curved scraper and just fared a reasonable round over there.

[David Eisenhauer]

Great bench Prashtun - simple, elegant, looks functional with a comfort factor. Where will it go? Client? Your place? What room? And I see why it is important to flatten an entire bench from time to time. I have been putting that off for a while now and you may have shamed me sufficiently to address the situation. Or not.

[Prashun Patel]

Enduro Clear Poly.

I wanted to keep the color as pale and natural as possible. No amber.

[Jim Becker]

Outstanding!!!!