Competition 063/05 Offcut - Pew Seat with Storage

[Newbie_Neil]

Well I thought I'd better pull my finger out and post some pics.
My wife has been in need of some storage in the kitchen for the wee ones toys and as we seem to spend most of out time in there an extra seat wouldn't go a miss.

Here’s the start, a nice fresh piece of oak. Well several lengths to be exact.

I almost always start using autocad to get an idea of shape and size sometimes I go a bit further and produce cutting list etc but this time just some rough sketches. I then transferred it onto a bit of white faced hardboard to use as a template. I’m hoping that takes care of the curves bit.

Then the planning and thicknessing begins. The project it entirely made out of solid oak with the exception of a piano hinge for the STORAGE box lid. Oh and a bit of glue!!

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Well as the deadline was looming I got a bit carried away and have made some good progress. Unfortunately I have glued up without any interim photo's. Anyway here is where I am now.
I cut the rebates with my T11 router and also used the router to chamfer the edges at 45. The end sections were cut out using my trusty old jigsaw and then sanded to remove the blade marks.

To keep the grain the same across the seat; the seat was made as one piece I then cut length ways for the hinge and then two perpendicular cuts for the sides. The sides where then glued back together with the back. The seat was then screwed to the back with a piano hinge.

I didn’t have time to get a brass hinge and ended up with a plated one.
My plan was to carve flowers in the hand holds at the circle. I decided that I’ll carve an additional piece and glue it on. My carving skill aren’t any good and I would hate to duff it up.

I used titebond II glue and was very worried about the temperature as I could only muster 6 deg in the workshop while I was glueing. All the oak strips were jointed with biscuits. Single for the seat back, seat and front. Double for the two sides for a bit of strength.

Here's a pic of the under seat storage

I think the wife will be pleased….

 

[Newbie_Neil]

I did put a wee bit of thought into the assembly to try and reduce and problems with opposing grain. The front panel is only glued to the sides and is 10mm short of the floor and 5mm short of the seat. This should allow it to expand and contract without stress. The seat is made up of a about 4 planks and is glued to the sides in a rebate. I had presumed that because the grain direction is parallel it shouldn't be a problem. The seat back is the tricky bit. I didn't glue it to the seat but screwed it with brass screws from underneath the seat. It was fully glued to the sides also in a rebate. The back of the box is also short of the ground and the seat so much like the front and again shouldn’t have much problems. The base of the box rests on strips of oak glued to the sides, front and back but is left loose. I think the worst bit is the seat back where I might find problems when I bring it indoors. Only time will tell. let me know if I could have done something differently.

On another note the carving of the flowers isn’t going well. Here’s my first attempt. Used some scrap test pieces. I carved out a circle then tried to carve out sort of angles for petals :? May have to go with plan B – what ever that is!!!

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Well the carving didn’t go to plan and luckily when I suggested to the wife what my plan was she kicked it into touch. She thought that it didn’t need any carvings on the hand holds.
So here it is – all finished. I have put on one coat of clear wax and will apply a few more over the next couple of weeks.

Here a pic of the toy box bit almost full

And wee Sarah gives it the thumbs up.

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Links to the competition entries: -

For the Next, Previous or Voting.

Cutlery Canteen from AndyG.

Chisel Cabinet from Dedee.

Bowfront Chest of Drawers from Johnboy.

Small Bowfront Cabinet from Jorden.

Pew Seat with Storage from Offcut.

Mirror with Secret storage from Steve Maskery.

Poker Chip Box from Stewart. (Information Only)

Lacewood Veneered Box from StevieB.

Scalectrix Chest from Syntec4.

Cherry Cabinet from Waka.