Hello All, This is my first posting to the design forum so be gentle. I'm remodeling (refacing really) a front entry way in my home and as part of that we'd like to add an entry bench for both function and decor. Now unfortunately changing the dimensions of the entry way is not a possibility as that would mean changing the entry way and staircase all the way up my three family home - big bucks there. So the space the finished piece will be going has dictated the dimensions, or at least the max dimensions which the model as designed now is using. If there is compelling reason it can be made smaller.
For both the look I want in the finished piece and the price of materials I have decided to use 1" x 5" (3/4" x 4 1/2 " here) pine boards which I will plane/joint down to 5/8" x 4" with a very few of the pieces being cut to different sizes as shown in the model.
The seat, two seat skirt pieces, two horizontal bracing/decorative boards across the back, and the shelf and decorative moulding piece on top are going to be finished a dark walnut color and the rest a lighter honey. The Sketchup model doesn't really do this justice but it'll have to do until I have time to render it out in 3Ds Max.
The bench will not be exposed to the weather but it will also be in an unheated area with a door directly to the outside. I will be using a stainless steel piano hinge and lid support for the seat to avoid corrosion. I did not model the hinge because quite frankly trying to get the hinge designed to the right size was giving me more headaches than I felt like dealing with. I did leave clearance for the hinge in the model though and that will be adjusted if needed based on the actual hinge I pick up.
My biggest toss up right now is fasteners. I would actually like to bore holes and use flush cut hardwood dowels and Titebond but I worry if that will prove strong enough. My other thought is either stainless steel wood screws or stainless steel cabinet style screws from the inside and back where needed.
The model was too big to upload here so I uploaded it too Google instead - here's the link -
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...286b10d60301a3
Any thoughts will be appreciated.