My 3 log bench is built in the kettle moraine forest. I used a chain saw to split my log. One pass on each side then an axe and hachet were used as wedges and a few taps from my maul and the log laid right open. I also used the chain saw to start the saddle joints but finished with my hachet. Logs were peeled with my trusty hatchet and the hand hewing was done with the draw knife.
20241112_093817.jpg
logs im starting with
20241120_112910.jpg
split log
20241120_121453.jpg
peeling leg logs
20241120_125806.jpg
saddle joint 1
20241120_130930.jpg
saddle joint 2
20241130_141610.jpg
over 7'
20241201_144958.jpg
more than 11" wide
20241201_162829.jpg
under 18" tall
20241120_141158.jpg
hand hewing
20241201_105902.jpg
my bench in the forest
"The winter will ask what we did all summer" - Henry David Thoreau
- Saddle notches to join the seat and base logs (saddles can be on the base logs or the seat log)
- 7' minimum overall length for the bench
- 16-18" height to the seat top
- seat log needs to be at least 11" in diameter
- hewn seat surface needs to be at least 6" wide
- hewn top
- peeled logs
To get certified for this BB, post three pics.
- Your three log chunks that you are starting with
- your three log chunks shaped
- final product showing length, height and seating surface width
Clarifications:
- Chainsaws are allowed for this BB but the finished sitting surface must be smoothed/hewn with a hand tool
For this project I used a chainsaw, ax, drawknife, chisel, and some wedges.
Dave Burton wrote:
Minimum requirements:
- Saddle notches to join the seat and base logs (saddles can be on the base logs or the seat log)
- 7' minimum overall length for the bench
- 16-18" height to the seat top
- seat log needs to be at least 11" in diameter
- hewn seat surface needs to be at least 6" wide
- hewn top
- peeled logs
To get certified for this BB, post three pics.
- Your three log chunks that you are starting with
- your three log chunks shaped
- final product showing length, height and seating surface width
Clarifications:
- Chainsaws are allowed for this BB but the finished sitting surface must be smoothed/hewn with a hand tool
After watching so many people working on this task at SKIP 2024 event/Wheaton Labs, I'm glad I tackled this one at home because it took me over 4 weeks to finish!! This was very physically demanding! I notched the underbelly of the bench log with an adz so that rainwater doesn't accumulate in the saddles. Then I wedged out chunks with an ax. I then used a planar and a drawknife to finish the hewn seat.
1_3-chunks-that-I-m-starting-with.jpg
2_my-3-log-chunks-shaped.png
3_Final-bench-dimensions.png
I'm pursuing SKIP to inherit property, check it out for yourself: SKIP book or maybe you're my Otis/Otessa match?
I created a thread dedicated to my countdown to PEP2, please come visit and ask a question!
I love that Rocket Mass Heaters are Carbon-Nuetral. In Erica's and Ernies Art of Fire Presentation, Erica explains the chemistry of how that's possible!
I attended Helen's Garden Master Course in January 2022 and give the lectures 10/10 acorns! Fortunately for you, you can also see the Garden Master recordings but unfortunately you'll miss out on the fruit Helen grew and shared. It was the tastiest fruit I've ever had!
This one is mostly for myself because I highly recommend using this BB tracking spreadsheet and I need a faster way to locate it when I want to share it with potential SKIPpers.