|
Embrace Bench
Posted January 30th, 2008 by Peter Chen
in
Design Image:
I like benches, especially the mid-century classic Nelson Bench. I love plywood, especially the edge quality of high grade multiply plywood. The Embrace is my tribute to the embodiment of form and material.
Designed to emphasize the inherent aesthetic of multi-layered plywood, the EMBRACE is the essence of structural purity. Each u-shaped leg is connected to the top via the two aluminium rods. The rods are captured in the holes of the leg and the c-shaped grooves on the bottom of the seat. The c-grooves “embrace” the rods, creating the structural system to lock all components together.
There are no other fasteners. Friction holds everything.
59.75”w x 19.75”d x 16.5”h
(please contact me for the drawing file, thanks)
I am very interested in
I am very interested in making this bench. I love the idea of using a single piece of wood to create a bench. It is stylish and efficient at the same time. Do you have any other furniture like this? Do you recommend a particular type of plywood. I will be getting mine from Lowes or Home Depot. Thanks for you time. Nice work!
I wish you good luck. I am
I wish you good luck. I am almost through with my first attempt at this. I thought I'd knock it out , using the left overs from a shelving project I had in my shop. So far the greatest obstacle has been (as you suggested)using hardware store plywood. I did however have the nicely grained birch vaneered variety. Several issues with this: 1st, the layer of plys are inconsistent at best, yet do create an interesting pattern. I can't say which I like more, the perfect stripes or the more mosaic effect. 2nd, the vaneer is awful, thin, and fragile. Spend the extra few bucks on a piece from a hardwoods supplier with at least a 32th" vaneer. My next one will definately be better grade. Next, the cheap plywood also sprung every direction after I ripped then down. I literally had to subdue them one at a time, forcing them into any resemblance of congruity. I brad nailed them as I glued each strip individually except for the face ends. In hind sight I should have also turned the doglegs (the sides with curves) in on themselves. The counter pressure would prevent the slight curve I have on one side of the bench. Lastly, It toook about sixty (60) passes through a drum sander to flatten out my seat. Even with all the coaxing, the strips were less than even and the whole top was slightly concave. All and all it took about an 8th of an inch off both sides. I am getting ready to glue up my legs and put in my aluminum rods. I would love to get in touch with Mr. Chen and find out exactly how he does this last step. After reading this description of (c-grooves) I am thoroughly lost. I thought they were tapped in like giant dowels. Any suggestions? jimmyosherow@yahoo.com
jo
Ugly. Wal-Mart ugly, in
Ugly. Wal-Mart ugly, in fact.
Post new comment