With the Holidays in full swing I haven’t had the time to work out in the shop as much as I’d like but did get the benches finished. Then it took me another two weeks to get it posted. ;-)
Last I left off the legs and were ready to be shaped after I cut them on a tapering jig on the table saw. To do this I used a spoke shaver I had built years ago for making greenland style kayaking paddles. Its great with long pieces but troublesome with shorter things like the legs.
Next I used a trick I had seen on an old episode of the woodwright shop to mark the legs where they meet the bench tops with a caliber to adjust for the angle. You find the widest point and set the calibers, then trace around the other 3 sides. Then trim to that angle with a sash saw and chisel.
With the legs fitted I shimmed the benches level, measured and trimmed to final size. From what I’ve read your looking for a finish hight you can put one knee bent on the bench and the other fully extended. I guess the size of board you cutting comes into play? but I went for something around my kneecap and figured if over time it was off I could cut down or make a new set.
I put a few coats of finish on it and called it done. In the end 2 legs fit a little loose so I’ll most likely add keys or wedges to the legs at some point.
My finished size was 27.5L X 7 W and 17L X 7W Both are 23” high. The legs are 10 degrees out and 3 degree splayed.
thanks for looking
Joe