Hi; I usually hang out at Breaktime, but thought I’d see what I can find out here. I want to build a bench and have a crazy idea for one with cantilevered, flexible slats to sit on. I was thinking a good wood for this might be hickory or oak? Any suggestions? I’m looking at sort of a row of “A’s”, with the cross part of the “A’s” a series of slats hanging out both sides with a back vertically down the center of the “A” so people can sit on both sides. Thought of bamboo too, but like wood better.
I figure a heavy person will have a wider bottom, so will sit on more slats than a thin person, so they will be as well supported as a thin, light person. The seat will look like two combs with the teeth facing outward and a comb-like back between them.
Replies
White oak would be a good choice in all respects. If it will ne outside, White oak has pretty good weather resistance.
Thanks. Yes, it will be outside. The Downtown Development Authority sponsors these competitions (I entered one last year where we used replicas of a concrete block (but made out of wood) developed by a local and somewhat famous architect to make sculptures.) This year we can design and build or just paint a ready-made bench. They cleverly called it something like "The Da Benchi Project." Anyway, I'd rather design and build my own bench than paint a store-bought one.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled