How to Make Rustic Log Furniture
Rustic log furniture is made with timbers shaped and assembled to maintain their natural appearance. This kind of furniture is long-lasting but fairly expensive. The types of pieces range from beds and tables to chairs and benches. Making furniture out of logs can be a challenging carpentry adventure. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Select your logs and remove their bark with a drawknife.
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2
Select a log to perform as a deck, and another one to perform as a joist. The remaining logs will be used as posts. Make sure that most logs are about the same size and have a similar appearance.
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3
Make spindles on both sides of each post, creating a tenon. You can do this task with a drawknife or, preferably, with a saw.
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4
Make holes on the deck and the joist using the radial drill, creating the mortises into which the tenons will be fitted. Remember the spacing you want to have between each post when drilling the holes on both logs.
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Secure the posts to the deck by notching the post so half of the log sits against the joist and the other notched half sits on top of the deck. For a more solid joint, secure the post to the deck with a ½-inch bolt and nut.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to find fire-killed logs. The bark will be easy to remove while the log should be free of rot. The most common dimensions for a deck rail feature 6-inch posts, a 4-inch rail and 3½-inch spindles. Rails have 2¼-inch tenons and 2-inch spindles, but you can choose measurements that best suit your needs. Use bolts and nuts rather than lag bolts to secure the posts to the deck. The former are easier to tighten, and you'll find that with time your rail may begin to loosen.
If you have no previous knowledge of carpentry, you may find it very difficult to construct the joints.
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