How do I put together this Old park bench?

Joseph
by Joseph

I have three armrests for an old bench, my question is how do you attach the slats? Any info would be helpful ...

  3 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Apr 24, 2019

    These are just the legs/bottom no actual arm rests, I think maybe you are missing the upper parts/piece. Did you get it in pieces? you have 3, all like this. I found 1 antique french one similar to yours online,no arms but the slats bolted flat onto bench from bottom side. It used 2x2 boards not really flat slats. This one the slats sit on frame them something else(top piece) bolts onto pieces that have holes which would hold slats. you could rig it so thicker slats have holes/slots that fit over the upright pieces then run bolts thru it to hold them onto frames. At least you could use it Not for sure about any of this????? can you post picture of complete side view of them.

    • See 2 previous
    • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Apr 25, 2019

      https://www.chairish.com/product/1282608/mid-19th-century-french-cast-iron-pair-of-park-benches-with-wood-slats Here's the one I found closest to yours but this one slats attached from underneath.I think yours is unique.....I think that, the boards had oval holes in them thru top and bottom for pegs & thru sides for bolts. The top/bottom holes were in boards so they fit over the upright pegs(keeping them in place)then bolted thru sides of boards & pegs(keeping them secure) bolts would not be seen from top only the pegs tops would, iron bolt heads/nuts would create space between slats for drainage.Pegs would barely stick out of holes on tops of boards, be level,or even a little recessed depending on thickness of boards you use.you'll need to make sure the holes are lined up well probably going thru top & bottom for pegs first then lining up to drill hole thru sides of boards & peg for bolts.Hope that makes sense. Beautifully crafted much more $ to do it this way than simply bolting to frame. They are beautiful really unique all the research I did I could not find any that the slats attached like yours. Do you know how old they are? Where they came from? please do not paint them/just maybe a sealer.Once again only my opinion but I love to work with tools and figure out how to build/do stuff.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Apr 24, 2019

    These look like they’re made for very thick “slats”. Maybe 2x cedar.

    It looks like they’re screwed in from the sides.

  • Teacup8885 Teacup8885 on Apr 25, 2019

    I'd try thick slats drill hole through the end n center of slats straight through the width just enuf to use a heaven duty metal cable!!??