Southern Yankee Workshop
Custom Handmade Benches
How I Assemble This Bench?
Maintain your composure, Patience is a Virtue
Now that everything is ready, it is time to assemble the bench. Start by assembling the pieces that comprise the back. This is the most challenging sub assembly to put together, so get it over with first thing because it will only get easier from there. This task is far from easy, but everything has a place, and in its proper place, everything must go. Sometimes, my patience wears thin while attempting to get all of the slats in the back to line up. I can testify that it will go together, so concentrate, and if that doesn't work, try praying to a higher power. Do not put any glue on any of the mortise and tenens that connect the back slats and rails. I use many clamps to help hold this all together while I add the glue to the end tenens so I can add the back legs. Remember to add glue to the sides of both parts of the mortise and tenens during the assembly of the back legs sub assembly. The other pieces that should be attached at this time are the bottom stringer and rear seat trestle since they all connect between the back legs. After you get it together, use a pair of strap clamps to tighten the legs together. Now you can go around and add the screws and plug the holes with plugs. I always try to line up the wood grain when I glue in the wooden plugs because they are much less noticeable after it is painted.
This next sub assembly is even easier to get together, since it has fewer mortise and tenens. Again, glue the sides of both parts of the mortise and tenens when putting together the front legs sub assembly. The parts to use are the front legs and the front stringer along with the front seat trestle. Follow the same techniques used to assemble the back legs sub assembly. After you get it together, use a pair of strap clamps to tighten the legs together. Now you can go around and add the screws and plug the holes with plugs. Next, get the three seat contour cross pieces and the arms and add glue to all of the remaining mortise and tenens and put all the parts that you now have together. After you get it together, use a pair of strap clamps to tighten the legs together. Now you can go around and add the screws and plug the holes with plugs. Now you are home free, and what do you know, It actually resembles garden bench now.
The last part of the assembly is to take the slats that span the seat and screw them all in place. I use a six penny nail at each end of the bench to separate the slats an start at the front and work my way back. Place the six penny nail between the slats at each end before you put the screws into the next slat. After all of the screws are added, remove the nails and repeat this process until all the slats are in. Add the last slat at the back before the second to last slat so it will fit easier and then add the second to last slat. You may find it necessary to trim the second to last slat so it will fit, but because it is at the back under the back and nobody but you would ever notice.
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� 1999 Southern Yankee Workshop
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