We have had two of the most beautiful days. High 70's to low 80's with a slight breeze and low humidity. What I would give to have that weather most of the year. I can't imagine how much work we could get done.
Previous bench posts
Today we finished the bench and the little table. I am going to wait to paint the wood slats because we need to move onto a few other projects along with the fact that we have yet to come to an agreement on color. R says dark grey to match the house and I say satin black to make the entire piece look like cast iron.
Here is a before photo just in case you forgot.
Today R countersunk the bolt heads and rounded over the edge of the slats with the router and a round over bit.
You can see I still need to sand the wood. Furry edges everywhere.
Use washers or lock washers on your bolts to keep them tight. R says he is going to switch to lock washers when we take the bench apart to paint the slats.
What would a project at Gear Acres be if it didn't have a coffee stain on it.
We love how the bench and side table look.
The table is a perfect place to sit your coffee......ahem......not on the bench. The table was such a surprise and I am so happy that I bought the legs for 5 bucks before I even knew what they were for or why or when I would use them. I just liked them and went with my gut feeling. I am so happy that my gut remembered that I stashed them in the garden shed.
Here are a few tips if you decide to find yourself a pair of cast iron bench ends to make yourself a bench.
Before purchasing make sure that you know whether your back has a cast iron insert or uses just slats. If it requires just slats, it will have more than two bolt holes on each side of the back. This will determine if buying bench ends without the required insert is something you want to do because you will need to fabricate a wood insert to replace the missing cast iron insert. You will need to make the frame like we did but instead you will add slats in the open area and they must be glued and biscuit joined. No pocket screws because it would show from the back.
Before painting your cast iron, use a Dremel or small grinder to grind away excess cast iron flashing (see previous post). This is fairly easy and not time consuming but it will give your cast iron a nice finish and less likely to look like a cheap overseas casting.
Antique and vintage cast iron is flawless. You never see seams or grind marks. Those are tell tale signs of a repo on cast iron banks, too. My father was a journeyman mold maker and he always said some of the best casting can be found in Legos and vintage Tupperware. Next time you step on a Lego while barefoot give it a quick look and I dare you to see a seam anywhere.
Prep well. Remove all dirt and rust before painting.
Do not use semi gloss or a high gloss finish. It is too shiny and garish. Vintage cast iron had a muted shine that is found with a satin finish.
Countersink all your bolt heads. No one wants to get their clothes snagged on your bench or sit on a hard bolt head. Plus, it looks more finished and takes very little time.
Do not use pine. If you are going to take the time to refinish do not use a board that will not last. Also, do not use a clear coat if you stain the wood. Most of these benches came with oak slats that were clear coated. Looks nice the first year and then the clear coat cracks and lifts allowing water to get under it, stain the wood, and ultimately rot the wood. If you stain use a penetrating sealer and not a varnish or poly coating.
We used poplar because it gives a nice painted finish and our 9 year old board and batten shutters look as good as the day we hung them and they are made of poplar. I like to use two coats of a good primer and really work it into the end grain. Then top off with two light coats of a top coat.
Most certainly pick up any cast iron bench ends that your find at the curb. We know we have a cast iron insert in the barn somewhere that R picked up from the curb. R is now chomping at the bit to do another bench especially if we find bench ends for 25 bucks and they can be found for that price, just be patience.
Final Cost
Bench pieces $40
Short leg pieces $5
3 cans of satin black spray paint $9
5 nine foot poplar 1X3 boards $62.96
Misc screws, bolts, washers, and nuts $11.50
$128.46
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