Garden bench slats

[Chief Sawdust Maker]

Yandle's in Somerset often have them listed on special offer

 

[zeroseven]

I picked up a couple of old cast aluminium bench ends recently as dearly beloved wanted another garden bench. Just cannot seem to get timber for slats at anything near a reasonable price. Can’t believe what is being charged for 4’ x 2” x 0.75” hardwood. I need 7, or one large piece to cut. Say 4’ x 2” x 6”.
Doesn’t this stuff just grow on trees?

I usually look out for hardwood furniture at auctions. I got a solid oak drop leaf table for £5. Bit more work but very rewarding

 

[morqthana]

I’d leave oak as is, any coating is going to fail at some stage. I’ve used cedar with osmo UV oil… should have not bothered as it now looks like it did before adding the oil, just a nice silver

I'd say that applies to any hardwood - just leave it alone.

But if you are driven to create a rod for your own back by applying something, always always always use something that penetrates, never never never use something that lies on the surface like paint, or varnish, for that will always always always crack and lift and fail. Always.