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Friday, August 9, 2013

Sturdy, Unusual Bench

bench along highway

As exbf and I were driving along hwy 278, right near my house, he spotted this unusual bench. I have no idea why it is so sturdy or out of what it is made. It appears wood has been recycled. There is another in front of the same store. This is not a black and white photo, but it appears so. The sidewalk suddenly slants, so the cap block is to make the seat even sittable.

What a sturdy seat!
 
These look like two by sixes on the seat to me. I don't know if the metal legs and back support were recycled or made especially for the bench. You can see on the front edge that the blocks between the boards obviously were there before anyone thought to make this a bench. Does anyone know where this configuration of wood is found in construction of any kind?

I doubt anyone will purloin the heavy bench.

Don't forget to go here and enter to win a Bear Grylls survival bracelet.

Your turn
Is this sturdy enough for you? Can you think of where the seat would have come from? herehere here here

14 comments:

  1. Fine bench. I like things that are sculptural furniture. I think even Frank Lloyd Wright would have like that one.

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    Replies
    1. Jane,
      Someone emailed me that it appeared someone who knew nothing about construction built it. The thing is, I would have this bench in a place where it would be in the weather, knowing it would last. However, it is a curiosity to me, VERY interesting, but not quite my preferred style. Neither is Frank Lloyd Wright, but I am fascinated with his style and admire it very much. Thanks for that perspective and bringing up FLW.

      Delete
  2. Okay now. We DO have 2x6's on end, then the gaps are chocked at each side, then in the middle. . . quite a waste of wood to make a bench, so these were obviously serving a different purpose, then re-serviced into a bench. It looks like it could have served as a cattle ramp. You are so observant!!

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    Replies
    1. lotta joy,
      Well, I started looking at it, wondering why anyone would use so much wood for a bench. That is when I examined the construction I photographed. It could handle elephants. Thanks.

      Delete
    2. I have had this stupid bench on my mind all evening. I've been back twice. It is niggling on the edge of my memory. . . I DO remember seeing this at my childhood country home. But it ran side by side. Not end to end. The sections were attached to each other and had some "give". It WAS a ramp of sorts. . . but for the life of me, I remember seeing it spanning something, and cows DID walk across it, but everything had more than one purpose back them.

      PUT UP ANOTHER POST (and hide this photo), BEFORE I LOSE MY MIND!!!

      Delete
    3. Lotta joy,
      Don't lose your mind. If you are like me, you may never find it. I am going to go in there and ask them what it was originally.

      Just go look at chicken bone now.

      I may take this picture to some old-timers and ask them what it used to be.

      Delete
  3. Looks like it would be too hard on your behind. I'd need a cushion.

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    Replies
    1. Harry,
      I have my own cushion, but I would definitely need one on this structure. This thing would leave stripes.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for posting this. I have a few of those old school chairs with metal frames, but the wood is all falling off. I was trying to think of a way to refurbish them, and this gives me some ideas.

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  5. Wendy.
    I think I know the kind you mean. making the seat as a solid piece boards going across and a piece under each side would give you a seat that could use the four brad holes usually found on those school chairs.

    I have metal bistro chairs that slats across and each has a brad or fastener. And, the slats have to be curved. So, I am finding chairs with curved slats to cannibalize for my metal chairs.

    I love metal since it won't rot like wood.

    We would love to see the before and after.

    ReplyDelete
  6. If you sat on it for a long time it would make an interesting pattern on your backside! I used to have a lawn chair that made my behind look like a Belgium waffle! ha ha ha ha ha I'll go away now.

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    Replies
    1. When I wore really short shorts, I always hated the lawn chair pattern on my legs. Belgian waffle? Interesting.

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Sue,
      Thanks. That is a much-cherished compliment coming from you.

      Delete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.