Woodworker: Matt KenneyInspired by Hank Gilpin’s beautiful outdoor furniture, Matt Kenney’s garden bench was challenge of balancing durability and comfort. The bench is made out of sipo, a tropical wood and cousin to mahogany. Sipo was used because it stands up to the outdoors very well. To accommodate for being outdoors, the seat’s slats were made narrower to reduce the amount of wood movement and shed water easily. Ceramic-coated decking screws hold the slats to the rails, and he plugged the counterbores with face-grain plugs made from cocobolo. Mortise-and-tenon joints are held together by Titebond III, to bring all the parts together (except for the seat slats). It’s very important that the joint fits well and that there are no gaps around the shoulders, where water might sneak in and eventually tear apart the joint. The bench in 52 in. wide and 33 in. tall.