- Next, Rick drilled clearance holes through the connection.
|
 |
| |
|
- He dropped a large, galvanized carriage bolt into the clearance hole.
|
 |
| |
|
- They gave each bolt a little tap to set them firmly in place.
|
 |
| |
|
- They turned the legs over and added a washer and nut to each carriage bolt.
|
 |
| |
|
- Rick and BJ carefully tightened each nut with a socket wrench, making sure that the washers compressed the wood just slightly.
|
 |
| |
|
4. Attach legs to bench:
- With all the legs completed, the next step was to attach them to the seat planks.
|
 |
| |
|
- They began by laying the seat planks on the patio upside down and then stood the legs on top.
|
 |
| |
|
- Each leg was positioned directly over the joint where two sections of the bench came together.
|
 |
| |
|
- Rick and BJ then drove screws diagonally through the legs and into the underside of the seat planks. This gave the bench just enough stability that they could carefully turn the bench upright so they could more securely fasten the legs.
|
 |
| |
|
- The structure was still not strong yet, so they had to turn it very carefully. The bench would be much stronger after they put the next set of screws in.
|
 |
| |
|
- The next set of screws would be driven in from the top of the bench, through the seat planks and into the leg cross braces. They used a countersink bit to make sure the screw heads were well below the bench's surface.
|
 |
| |
|
- With the two sections completed, they placed them in position around the tree trying to locate the most level positions for the legs. Ron wanted to avoid having the legs sit on top of a root because he did not want to not have to trim the legs of the bench and he certainly didn't want to cut the roots of the tree.
|
 |
| |
|
- They carefully dug away enough soil to allow each bench leg to rest on a flat and level surface.
|
 |
| |
|
- Once all of the sections were level, they placed them exactly one seat board's length apart and then dropped in the remaining planks.
|
 |
| |
|
- They secured these final planks to the leg underneath with screws, completing the bench construction.
5. Wood sealer:
- Ron asked Rick and BJ to complete one final step in the next few days. This was to apply some wood sealer on the new bench. The sealer would extend the life of the bench, keep it looking beautiful and protect the top from getting rough. This would make the bench more comfortable as well.
|
 |
| |
|
RESULTS:
The new bench was beautiful and very inviting. So much so, in fact, that they enjoyed what would undoubtedly be the first of may celebrations under the family tree. If you have a favorite tree in your own yard, why not circle it with a bench?
|
 |
