New To Woodwork, Need Help!

[Olly-S-86]

Hi all, I have just signed up to the forum and am new to woodwork, last time I really made anything was back at school!

I've recently started a 10 week course arranged by my local council where we have access to a good range of tools and some advise on our own personal projects.

My aim for the course is to make an oak dining bench which I would like to match with our oak and glass dining table.

I would really appreciate a bit of help with some of the technical elements, I have found quite a few detailed guides to making dining benches, but none in the style I am wanting to emulate.

I have attached some photos of the table:

Where I am unsure is how best to fix the X shaped legs to the main part of the bench?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Olly

 

[RobinBHM]

I think a leg system for a bench would need a stretcher rail to stop the joint spreading, I cant see the shoulders of the joint hold the weight of a person.

A stretcher rail across the top will also provide some where to fit the seat part. You could cut 2 pairs of notches out to form a flat for the rails to fit onto, possibly cut a notch out of the rail too.

 

[Olly-S-86]

Thanks Robin, as I don't have much experience yet Im struggling to visualise what you mean.

 

[dc_ni]

From looking at the pictures it looks like the ends are made using halving joints: http://www.woodworkbasics.com/halving-joint.html

Then the cross pieces are joined to the two ends using bridle joints: http://www.woodworkbasics.com/bridle-joint.html