Ipe Benches

[Birdhunter]

I'm wrapping up building 8 outdoor benches made from Ipe, a VERY hard and heavy wood.

This was a Festool project.

Among other tools, I used CSX, C12, TI15, TS55, RO125, Kapex (a lot), Domino 500, Domino 700 (a lot), and HL850. I also used Festool drill bits and countersinks.

I'd guess that the most indispensable tool was the Domino 700 followed closely by the Kapex. Without the Domino's ability to join boards with a 8mm tenon sunk 40mm into each board, I'm not sure how I would have been able to build the bench tops in the time frame I had.

The only place where the Domino 700 struggled was cutting mortises into the Ipe end grain. If my technique wasn't perfect, the Domino would stall.

I will have to replace the 8mm Domino cutter after digging into all that Ipe and I'll get the Kapex blade sharpened.

I'm both glad and sad this project is ending. Using the Festool products on a challenging project has been both fun and educational.

 

[GhostFist]

Uhh pics or it didn't happen.

 

[jacko9]

Sounds like a great project and a good way to get introduced to your Festool Tools.  I'm looking forward to seeing pictures also.  I think that you cab get your 8mm cutter sharpened.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

Here is the first of 8 benches.

 

[iamnothim]

Sweet !

 

[jacko9]

Very nice, they will be looking good for years to come!

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

I wish I could say that I was strong enough to carry one of the benches more than 10 feet without taking a breather. They are heavy!

 

[semenza]

Those look nice!

Is it just the perspective or is one leg straight and the other angled?

Seth

 

[Birdhunter]

It's the optics. The legs are symmetrical. When I saw the photo the first time, thought I'd gotten something badly wrong with the legs. I rushed out immediately to verify the legs were correct. They were.

 

[TracksawTravis]

This looks great!  I agree with you about working the Ipe- rough on blades and bits.  I did some end grain plunges with the DF500 and went very slow.  So far I've had no problems but I am also working with a brand new 8mm bit.

Did you put a finish on those benches?  I'm debating what kind of finish to use on the railing and the few pieces of furniture I'll be making with the leftovers.

 

[Birdhunter]

My client will decide about using a finish. I sanded the tops down to 180 and the look great.

I bought some end grain sealer, but I don't know if I need to use it. Any advice?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It's not that bad. I bet I have cut 3,000 mortises with my 6mm domino cutter. still cuts great.  I just finished a 500 sq/ft ipe deck and I could probably get another deck out of that blade. 

You better wax those end cuts fast.

Is there no space between the seat boards?  Why not use a 2x4 or 2x6 for the legs instead of screwing two deck boards together?

 

[Birdhunter]

Unfortunately, all I could get locally were 1x4 and 1x6 decking boards. Thus, the doubled 1x6 legs. They are glued and screwed.