What sort of benches would you use around fire pit?

12 years ago

I need some advice about what type of benches or chairs I should put around this fire pit I'm building. I'm leaning toward some sort of bench with a seat made out of slab of wood about six inches thick with front and back edges unfinished, except for having the bark removed. I'm not sure what to do about legs if I do something like this. One thought is to use the 4x6 legs from my old benches :

Another idea for legs is to use full log sections about 16 inches long, turned perpendicular to the bench top.

I also considered adirondack chairs, but I think they'll take up too much space and not provide enough seating. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. Whatever I do, I plan to build myself.

Here is a link that might be useful: More pictures of fire pit project

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Comments (3)

soilent_green
12 years ago
Beautiful fire pit.

What about using two vertical six inch slabs with the edges cut square - would contrast against the uncut edges of the seat slab as well as be a bit narrower than the slab, which would scale nicely. Anchor legs with exterior grade construction adhesive and two or three countersunk hex lag screws w/washers through predrilled holes in the seat slab and hide the heads with homemade dowel plugs of the same type of wood as the seat.

Consider using qty. 2 - 6 inch debarked round logs per bench with ends cut to 45 degrees for braces mounted on the insides of the legs to the underside of the bench seat. One per leg. Adds rigidity (which isn't necessary if using construction adhesive as mentioned previously) but also adds to the appearance of the bench by softening all the right angles. Anchor the braces with exterior grade construction adhesive and one hex lag and washer at each end, through predrilled countersunk 45 degree holes in the brace logs rather than boring holes through the seat and legs. The bolt heads could be left exposed because they are out of primary view. A jig can be made to drill the holes safely and accurately.

Full log sections for legs are o.k. but would make the benches quite heavy - as you are well aware it is nice to be able to move the benches based on where the wind direction is blowing the smoke from the fire. The issue is not whether YOU are able to move them around but whether other possibly weaker people can move them around if the need arises and someone of strong constitution is not around to help them.

Half-round log sections might look nice, with the round sides inward and the cut sides facing out. Would add some depth of interest and contrast with all the angles and flat surfaces of the bench. Maybe use an oversize log and put a 4-6 inch flat surface front and back to make short sides rather than having the radius meet the main cut side. So in effect you have 3 sides and a radius rather than 1 side and a radius. Hope this makes sense.

Be aware of possible bench wobble due to high spots on the flagstone. Don't know if this will be a safety issue or not but one wants to be very careful around active fires. Imagine a nice fire going with kids climbing on the benches and one tips over towards the fire - or knocks the kid against the stone wall. Sure, people are not supposed to be climbing on the benches but that is not the point - sooner or later someone will, so this possibility should be considered and any safety issues addressed.

Have Fun!
-Tom
jugglerguy
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the detailed ideas, Tom. I think I understood everything you suggested. My biggest concern is having the legs narrower than the seat. I'll just have to experiment with the first one and see how it all goes.

What would look really nice in my opinion would be stone legs with a thick wooden seat. However, as you pointed out, that would make moving benches impossible.
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arcy_gw
12 years ago
We have tree sections. We sanded the top a bit, they do the trick,and we had them lying around. The seats were easier to make than splitting them for fire wood.

What sort of benches would you use around fire pit?

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soilent_green

jugglerguy
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What sort of benches would you use around fire pit?

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soilent_green

jugglerguyOriginal Author

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jugglerguy
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