What do you think of this bench design?

[Baz]

This was on social media - a group of scouts made these benches for a local school.

Thought it was a good basic design and might try my hand at making one or two.

I have some 5/4" deck boarding that I think would be good for the seat and back boards. Or maybe just the back.

The rest are just 2x4's.

These would be benches for outside use here.

[Baz]

Oops....forgot the pic......

[Steve Carlton]

Looks too basic and uncomfortable to me.

[Rusty Heap]

pretty boring.

A Cardboard box has more character.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Here's Steve's dreambench:



Kidding-
There are a lot of good bench designs on the internet though. Probably would be worth researching at least a bit before committing the time/energy into the project. Also- is if going to be something youd really want to sit on.

At very least put the lumber stamps facing down!

[look 171]

The two things about a park bench that makes it comfortable. slightly curved seat and back. The rest of just fluff.

[Baz]

A little perspective.....

Right now I have 3 benches similar to this one.....all freebies:


I rebuilt the wood part on the one above, but recently had the two back plates fall off and the other two are also in dilapidated condition. Although all 3 are still usable and rebuildable, I'm wondering if replacing them with the style I posted would suit my purposes better.

Also, at one time I had made a few of these like this one and have them located in a few spots.....


My benches aren't meant to be the most comfortable bench in the world. Just something to sit down on when the mood strikes - and also they do add a bit of accent to the garden.

When I still had my cats - of course they loved them!

All 3 benches will be out where the irrigation hits them so something out of wood that I can coat with a weatherproof coating is why I'm considering this design - as well as something easy to throw together.

Bottom line is, like many other things, it probably just boils down to personal preference and practicality for one's circumstance.

Thanks for the input so far!

[look 171]

Its not too much more work to cut a curved on the 2x. You ass and back will thank me for it. I know, you cats doesn't care

[look 171]

Oh drawing is worth a thousand typed words

[Baz]

Originally Posted by look 171

Oh drawing is worth a thousand typed words

Thanks Jeff - certainly something to consider.

I'm a lousy carpenter. Even worse I'm a lazy carpenter - so would have to figure a way to do this the easy way - which may not be possible.

That said - I have plenty of friends in the trades including one who does wonders with wood who has a shop who no doubt would be able to help, so we'll see.

Thank you again!

[cabmandone]

Add two beer holders and it's a solid design!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Add two beer holders and it's a solid design!

Or just one...even better!

[cabmandone]

Always better to have a spare and not need it than to need a spare and not have it.

BTW, I like the simplicity of that bench.

[Rusty Heap]

[Reg]

It’s all about seating position. When you get it right, you know it.

[herr_oberst]

There's nothing wrong with the bench in the OP, but, without much extra effort, more satisfying results can be achieved.

Proportions matter. Here's a similar bench to the one Baz posted. Just a couple of tweaks changes everything.



Or, here's another take on what can be done with a few 2x4's, but adding a few jaunty angles to the basic build:

[Baz]

Thanks, Herr Oberst! I'm not good with angles so the first one in your post looks like the best bet for me. Looks easier to build too --- plus I like the 4x4's for better stability too.

Man - I'm getting excited now at the prospect of this upgrade.

The dilapidated ones I have now definitely have some character, but it's time to move on.....

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Baz

A little perspective.....

Right now I have 3 benches similar to this one.....all freebies:


I rebuilt the wood part on the one above, but recently had the two back plates fall off and the other two are also in dilapidated condition. Although all 3 are still usable and rebuildable, I'm wondering if replacing them with the style I posted would suit my purposes better.

Baz - why not just replace the back plates with 2X4's? Seems to me that'd be easy to do and would accomplish what you want at the same time.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Baz

.......
All 3 benches will be out where the irrigation hits them so something out of wood that I can coat with a weatherproof coating is why I'm considering this design - as well as something easy to throw together.
.....

I wouldn't use wood in a 'wet' location.

We have a few masonry benches, that have been sealed, like these:



Or do something with landscape blocks:



Considering the price of wood these days, masonry may be actually cheaper.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Baz

Oops....forgot the pic......

I like it. Simplicity, it has a sort of Japanese feel to me. If I had to criticize something about it, it would have been the instructors, someone should have told the kids to turn the stamps inward.