This "simple" bench made me humble when I tried to build it.

[@igrim4777]

The legs are tapered in and the notch apex is rounded for a good reason other than looks. You Rex are thinking "wider at bottom so more stable" from a *balance* point of view. (Straight legs would allow the bench to sit flush with a wall which a normal taper also allows but that's a happy coincidence.) Tapered legs provide stability *from a materials point of view* while not affecting the balance stability all that much. The legs are tapered inwards so, there's no unsupported grain at the foot. Simulate this by cutting a plank with a mitre. Hold the plank in a vise with the grain vertical and the long edge at the bottom. Give the bottom corner a vertically straight up whack from below with a mallet and you're going to break off a nice triangle as the grain splits. You can keep on hitting the bottom corner and breaking off the end of the plank until the imaginary vertical line from the horizontal straight edge to the mitred edge has enough material in it to resist the impact force. Now repeat but this time have the plank the other way up. Give the bottom corner a straight up hit and it doesn't break. (Note: youre not hitting the pointy 45° end, you're hitting the 135° corner at the base which is the corner which would be touching the ground.) This simulates what happens when you sit on a bench with reverse taper (wider at bottom) or normal taper legs. The hammer imitates the ground exerting a force on the legs when you rock back or forward on the bench. With wider at bottom legs there is all this material at the ground touching corners which is unsupported. With narrow at bottom legs the forces can't break off little unsupported triangles because there are none. This is why table legs in general are often tapered too. This is exactly the principle of chamfering. A chamfer is a short section of taper. A square table leg, for instance, can have pairs of untapered parallel faces because you chamfer the bottom corners so that forces can't very easily concentrate on the edges of the foot and split the wood all the way along the leg. Rounding corners is conceptually applying an infinite number of chamfers at gradually changing angles for the same effect: prevent the stress concentrating at corners and so breaking off timber. The notches are rounded also to stop stress concentrating at corners. It's the same thing you see when cutting slits in leather, or in fountain pen nibs, or sheets of acrylic, sharp corners encourage cracks to propagate, rounder corners reduce peak stress.

[@vh9040]

Great explanation!

[@igrim4777]

​@@vh9040Thank you. I'm glad it was appreciated.

[@gazpal]

But the principle surrounding end grain only holds water IF the foot of each leg panel is intended to rest upon it's toes and not squarely on the sole of each foot (Angled or otherwise). Much of the end grain break-out problem - encompassing the use of splayed feet - can be mitigated via the use of chamfers with ledging housed into the internal face & across the grain. Splayed footing produces a seat that's far less liable to be "tippy". The original piece's longevity and brilliant condition potentially rests mostly upon fact the seat needed to be set against a backing / wall - as with corridor bench seating - for the sake of stability and it very probably saw minimal use freestanding.

[@j10001]

Wow, that was really helpful!! Some of these situations I understood, but you’re like an encyclopedia of examples and explanation of this surprisingly widespread principle. My work will be much improved thanks to your effort here. Many, many thanks! 🏆

[@lazygardens]

That single apron board is a sag preventer.

[@alysoffoxdale]

I truly love this kind of episode where you go in thinking you know what you're doing, and then explain the process of realizing things are wrong, and figuring out how to do it right!

[@RexKrueger]

That's EVERY episode!!

[@Alan-mb8zy]

@@RexKrueger😂

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Man, I like that one. You almost make nailed furniture look fun!

[@louisvictor3473]

But it is fun :(

[@daveturnbull7221]

my woodworking superpower is turning perfectly good wood into piles of sawdust and kindling so 'simple' projects like this are excellent.

[@ObjectiveLens-c9b]

:) my first one was a 3in. 1x3 Pine board that I managed to reduce to shavings trying to level everything and that got me hooked on carpentry.

[@armandhammer9617]

Im an old carpenter and started before everybody had air compressors and nail guns, to start a toe-nail turn the nail backwards and put it where you normally would hit the nail on the bottom and then turn it back around put it in the same hole and drive it in. This helps guide your nail and it eliminates splitting the wood 99.999% of the time 😉

[@calebdeming5515]

So you're using the nail head to make a cut?

[@anorouch]

After finding your angle/location for the toenails on the legs, predrilling the nail hole on the leg can help prevent splits and slides you see rex had to deal with.

[@lostpony4885]

Predrilling can be magic

[@louisvictor3473]

Usually you don't want to do it too aggressively with a softwood like pine as you need the extra fiber compression to improve retention (not necessary on dense woods, they're already compact). If it works without, you're better off without, but if it is giving you grief, undersize the drillbit compared to hard wood to get as much of that effect as possible.

[@contestwill1556]

tbf the toenail was mainly just to hold the leg in place for nailing from top

[@hdwoodshop]

Of course you pre drill

[@anonplayer8529]

😲 But what about authenticity, in AR-15 circles there is the "What Would Stoner Do" project (Stoner being the original designer of AR) , Rex does not know who the original carpenter was so lets go with Smith. So "What Would Smith Do", he probably did not have a drill of a size around 2 or 3 millimeters (sorry, from Europe) so he definitely wouldn't have predrillled for the nails. 😤😤😅😅

[@DeusinMachina]

I've been so excited for this video. I was completely blown away how much a experienced woodworker could tell about the construction of a piece just by looking at it. And the fact that it was rock solid 80 years later is incredible!

[@michaelholbrook4401]

A couple years ago, I decided I needed a creative hobby. My first thought was hand tool woodworking. It fits my back porch, tools don't have to be super expensive, and cool stuff gets created. I first subscribed to your channel back then. Then I found that woodworking just wasn't for me, not real sure why, but I just didn't enjoy it. I still have all the tools, incase I have to make something, but it didn't fit reach the daily/weekly hobby itch. What did was leatherworking. I enjoy the heck out of that craft, but I still follow your channel because even though I don't get into the woodworking, you have one of the best channels out there.

[@ianbracken7973]

Rex figured it out!! Thanks for showing for the mistakes along with the triumphs.

[@heyitsthatdude17]

More than just about any other woodworking content creator, your videos always energize me to actually go out and try a project and do some woodworking Rex. Great video.

[@MatildaHinanawi]

Can't believe the bench saga continues. You did not disappoint!

[@Spalted___]

Always such a treat seeing you in my notifications

[@philaandrew100]

Don't you just love it when a simple project kicks your butt? Been there, got the showbag...

[@norm5785]

Wonderful video, remember when you showed the original bench in a prior video. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@gaylanbishop1641]

I like how encouraging you are

[@HelenMoreno-l2r]

Man, I like that one. You almost make nailed furniture look fun!. Can't believe the bench saga continues. You did not disappoint!.

[@מעייןהמלבלבתחייםםםם]

I am taking for granted screwing up with the projects it is much easier to understand that perfect i am not ....but the ability to correct my mess up with out any one to know that gives me so much satisfaction!

[@christopherharrison6724]

I remember watching the vid where you found this bench first great follow up thanks

[@markgottsberger2872]

Rex are you going to do any more furniture forensics shows. Ienjoy watching you figure out what to a piece of funiture.

[@MonsterGuitars]

We're buying a beautiful early 20th century house, and this would look perfect on the verandah out front. I'm building one - thanks for sharing!

[@borisposebal]

Rex I belive that the apron is acting as an offset spine...so the seat of the bench doesn't flex as much...if the whole bench would flex, the feet would flex outward which would pull on the nails that connect the legs and suprts together...just my opinion

[@brucepaddle9769]

One of your fans on reddit recommended your videos ~ I now see why. Great material.

[@j.d.1488]

Wow, great grandmother had a bench identical. Its been pasted down. My granddaughters use it to get up to counter height to bake with grandma. Very cool Rex. Thank you for post

[@twolinesslotcars]

Great stuff as always Rex! I have not been by your channel in a while. I started my own channel about another hobby. I can't believe your growth! WOW! Congrats! I really need to get back to woodworking. You inspired me to start my channel, thank you!

[@RexKrueger]

I subbed!

[@twolinesslotcars]

@@RexKrueger I will try not to bore you 😂 my first couple of videos were basically responses to your videos and I realized that I was not good at that.. so I went another direction. I still use the original 3 leg stool and the joiner's bench I built from your early videos. I learned so much from those projects. I was making longboard skateboards as a side hustle until my wife and I moved into an old historical home in Chillicothe, OH and I lost my shop. I have yet to put my workshop back together, but soon! I am happy your channel continues to be successful. Thanks for all you do. I have such an appreciation for the hard work and dedication you have given to woodworking and content creation. Thank you for inspiring me to try myself. - Marty Ford

[@ZigZagMarquis]

Yes Rex, I too enjoy watching your simple country furniture builds, as you put it. Thanks for the videos and please keep them coming.

[@Andrew-rv1xq]

Please do a video on milk paint. I'm building a dutch tool chest and am planning on using milk paint. never used it. not too much information online about how to apply it well. thanks and keep it up. love your videos.

[@wehaveasaying]

I love that you show the difficulties you face and the troubleshooting you go through to arrive at a solution. Thank you.

[@michaelcurry8905]

As @anorouch mentioned, predrilling the angled holes for the locating nails is a better method than just going ahead and whacking away with a hammer. But the preferred direction to drill is in from the bottom of the leg and out the side. Either clamp the leg in a vise or, more commonly, hold it between your legs and drill following a guide line that you previously drew.

[@Karpe_Deem]

I guess you can say... "You nailed it 😎💯👌"

[@ikust007]

So happy to see that someone even at your level is still learning those tricks

[@5StoryWoodWorks]

Great Episode, thank you Rex. We love what you do no matter what James Wright says... 😂

[@ArniesTech]

1:14 I love how you assume that she didnt want to get rid of the wood but of you 😂😂😂 Classic Rex

[@reedplanes728]

Nice bench, for the nails in that situation I often grab my nail spinner as I find it easier.

[@SakpanKemnak]

That nail trick is the first lesson my dad taught me when I was a kid.

[@andyc972]

Thanks Rex, I enjoyed this and appreciate your honesty about the things that didn't go well in the first instance, you also showed real respect for the original maker.

[@GS-lh2nx]

I am thankful that someone like yourself, who is so accomplished, lets us all in on your struggles on a project that looks like a beginner's project at first glance. Things are not always what they seem and what looks easy can sometimes be deceptively tricky. I always enjoy your videos, insight, and honesty. So next time when I am struggling with something that looks like it should be easy I will remember that even Rex occasionally has days like that too.

[@glencrandall7051]

Nice project Rex. The video should help anyone building it whiz right through it. You thoughtfully made all the mistakes first so everyone else can avoid them. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@ianpearse4480]

Very cool.

[@spayced]

I love the videos where you explore different construction techniques on old pieces. Fantastic series!

[@Clark42EoC]

Great video Rex. Way to think outside the box and figure out how to apply the forces in the right stages also...that marking gauge is amazing. I bought the Lee Valley panel gauge and it does not stay squared and solid at greater depths...it relies on a turn screw to secure the registration face. Frankly yours is far superior and I'm sure if I scaled it up to the size of the Lee Valley panel gauge the driven wedge would still fully secure the registration face.

[@howardcameron2551]

Do a tight predrill on your nail hole about halfway or more before putting your angled pieces in place. It will keep it from wallowing out, and your pieces won't walk so much.

[@robohippy]

Got into toe nailing MANY years ago. It holds way better than straight nailing. For toe nailing the braces and legs, I would recommend pre drilling the holes, slightly under sized. On the legs, Start nailing with the leg covering the mark where you want it to end up, and maybe even as far as 1/8 inch because when you set the nail, it will move. If you move it too far, the nail from the other side will push it back. Same with the braces. Nice little bench! I do want to see a painting one.

[@NorroTaku]

you really nailed this one ...at tge end 😁

[@MMWoodworking]

One thing I love about Rex is that he doesn't have $20k of hand tools sitting behind him. Don't get me wrong, if I won the lottery I'd buy $30k worth of silly priced hand tools, but it is always nice seeing someone do amazing work with accessible tools.

[@Just_Call_Me_Frank]

Love your enthusiasm

[@RojasCarpentry]

The "lady freaked out about a big bald guy holding scrap wood from her garage" was a good laugh. Really looking forward to getting back to handtools soon! Sick of remodeling 😂

[@Mutant_11]

Uncle Fester comes to mind, only better looking. 😊

[@OldFatMarriedGuy]

That's a nice project and a cool bundle, and it makes me wonder, perhaps a nailed furniture book in the future?

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Rex

[@mykolashatkovskyi576]

One more cool Ol' Scool project TODO! Thank you, Rex! The only thing, me personally, I'd go with 2by construction lumber instead of hunting flat stock, but that's me.

[@eddienew2044]

I loved this video which convinced me that I am not alone in making mistakes when trying to make even simple projects.

[@Keithmwalton]

Groff and groff lumber is my go to for 17”+ pine

[@mongocrock]

Nice build. You might find pre drilling the toe nails can also help in this kind of situation.

[@sathancat]

Thanks Rex, I always learn something from you. Mistakes are a great way to learn! I liked the forensic furniture video about this bench and was glad you decided to tackle this

[@LuckySeven-pj1iu]

Aw, I thought you'd use the underside of the seat as a drill backer to leave the witness mark! Seriously though, loved this series. Shared it with my dad.

[@thomashverring9484]

I'd forgotten about that! That's true, he should have done that :^)

[@henryskinner1092]

Thank you Sir. I really appreciate the work you put into this channel. Stay Safe and God Bless.

[@alwayslearning8365]

Interesting build thanks Rex.

[@TheThriftyWoodworker]

Absolutely fabulous

[@andrewwebb1911]

Thanks Rex

[@isaacplaysbass8568]

I've been looking forward to this instalment in the bench story; thank you, it did not disappoint! :)

[@AusterEngineer]

Just made my own version of this bench, made it out of hardwood scraps and two aprons, one on each side. Mine is also a bit smaller

[@oncomics1128]

Thanks, Rex. I'm actually getting to piece together how my grandparents solved some things.

[@stevenpopp4649]

Your a good dude Rex.

[@D.Thomas_homeshop]

I wonder how this bench would be with cut nails vs the wire. gives me some ideas to work on in the shop

[@BigBeardBuilds]

I imagine using very old stock and reclaimed nails, building it with hand tools like this might trip up the next Rex Krueger 20 years down the line. "I imagine this bench must be very old, look at the techniques and materials used!". As an amateur woodworking enthusiast, these are very fun and rewarding projects to view and build.

[@MCsCreations]

Really beautiful work, Rex! It turned out amazing! 😃 Those old furniture are really interesting indeed! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@nanettil]

Well done, again!

[@gazpal]

Nicely done. Regarding design. I think the "apron" is set on the reverse face of the bench seat, originally intended for fixings to be driven through and into a wall or fence so it won't tip during use.

[@bgrigg07]

I like how you built using the original generation of cordless tools.

[@ping170]

You nailed it 👍

[@fatherfoxstrongpaw8968]

That was an awesome vid! i went through the same kinds of headaches rebuilding my late father-n-law's dads workbench (made by a carpenter) and my neibour's workbench (an old farmer retired) 2 months ago. went through the same things you did in this vid. the toe nail technique you ended up with is spot on! predrilling is faster and cleaner and won't split over time. that stock at that thickness isn't verry friendly to hammer sets. drill for longevity. (ask me how i know. *looks at the scrap pile*)

[@louisvictor3473]

Nice build, Rex! The round holes in the legs, they're stop-holes and I can pretty much guarantee they're there to make the leg last longer and avoid splitting. The good looks is a nice touch though. I have no idea where and when the technique originated, but it has been around for a while, and it is used to repair all sorts of engineered things (often metal), there are material sciences studies on it, it is legit.

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks

[@noahfreeman8115]

great bench! love simple, angular, vernacular furniture builds like this. The brace + the tall legs make me nervous, and the apron feels like it would be more visually appealing if it were longer. I’d probs tweak those if I build it

[@MichaelRodgers670]

I enjoyed watching you build this. I really enjoy these type of videos.

[@nickreagin9585]

I would of knelt on the floor with the leg between my legs and started the nails on the far side before trying to stick it to the seat. One of the few things about wood work of any kind I remember my dad teaching me. Get the nail started to a point where one hit with the hammer will stick two pieces together.

[@bwillan]

There is also nothing wrong predrilling for tricky nail holes. Also for angled nails, just like angled screws, go in perpendicular and bit and then bend the nail to the correct angle and continue.

[@Aetherometricist]

A really good friend once told me that "woodworking is humbling". No matter how much you know, the wood will invariably do something different.

[@KC-fk6oc]

Rex, you're too good to us

[@worstworkshop]

I love projects like this!

[@ikust007]

Loved that video . Merci .

[@BlackHoleForge]

0:55 we have finally figured out how Rex gets such great deals at these yard sales. 😂

[@rosestanyer6709]

Love watching your content! Way to inspire me to get back on the bench.

[@aaronmills6103]

If you turn the bench on its side, could the hole be used as a coping / fret saw table? Great channel Rex.

[@graydanerasmussen4071]

I like the idea of pegging/doweling rather than nailing. If you don't mind nail holes, pegs won't scare you, and drilling and pegging right through (like driving a nail) isn't that hard. You can even make the ends proud, and have some interesting decor options :)

[@ezirb7]

I think he was trying to replicate the bench from his family's farm as closely as possible. Especially after the joinery on the Moravian bench, I could see wanting to do a little nailed woodwork.

[@graydanerasmussen4071]

@@ezirb7 As could I :) -I was merely suggesting another approach. Choice is wealth, after all.

[@itwasrightthere]

I appreciate your build choices. Thanks for the content.

[@vh9040]

Yes please do a video about milk paint! Thanks

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@danieldevuono782]

No experience with nailed furniture, but it seems to me that it would be easier to perhaps drill a pilot hole to help guide the nail on the angle to make it easier to assemble the sides/legs. Cut the tapers, pencil the nail line, use an awl to mark the entry point of the nail and tilt the board in the vice so the nail line is at 90 degrees to make drilling easier.

[@lostpony4885]

My need for a bench humbles me every time i work something ha but not as bad as having my tools in a disorganized heap of mixed things

[@WPGinfo]

Nice project. My guess: the hole in the legs is there to reduce stresses that might split the wood of these legs over time.

[@riccardo-964]

I love those failing videos, they remind me we're all alike after all

[@1striperon]

Rex, why didn’t you use your shooting board to clean up your brace ends?

[@Kieran7]

The audio starts messing up at around 4:30 ish and continues for the entire video. A sharp high pitched noise everytime you did a plosive

[@kevholmes513]

Why did you not just pilot drill your first tush nail holes ? 😊

[@W1ldt1m]

As a former rough carpenter: toenailing is a skill. It just takes practice. Think of how long it's taken you to learn to cut straight to a line. Now spend that much time toenailing and you'll have it.

[@asbrand]

Rex - any thoughts on why there was just one apron, instead of two (one on each side)? Oversight? Lack of materials? Design choice?

[@dalesmith7250]

Not sure if it was just my speakers, but your "S's" had a kind of high-pitched ringing sound. But great video otherwise...as always. Thanks, Rex!

[@brandonballinger2968]

Do you often use power tools or try and just use hand tools? I like both but have trouble finding good hand tools to use and want to know where I can find some.

[@neoanderson5027]

Good video

[@marcus3457]

Hello. I found your channel recently and I am really enjoying it. I shared it with my brother too. I do have one question. Do you buy most of your hand tools (drills, chisels, saws, saw blades, etc.) from big box stores, or are there better places you would recommend looking to buy those kinds of tools? Thanks in advance.