<p>I work for a college on a furniture making course.<br /> We are currently in the process of making a really exciting commission for an outdoor bench for a country park which one of the 2nd year students won a competition to design and make.</p> <p>The design is essentially like a series of 12 square-edged posts 150mm square mounted together 4 across and 3 high with spacers between.<br /> The square part of the bench runs about 3 metres, then after that, each post runs a further 3 metres approx but tapers down into twisty, spindly, tentacle-like shapes.<br /> Imagine a squid having a bit of a lie down and you get the idea..</p> <p>Our issue is, although very experienced in cabinetmaking, none of us really have much experience with large-section green timber construction. The bench has to be constructed without screws, glues or expensive fittings etc. Think of it as everything has to come from the woodland.</p> <p>[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/424571_10151673535840558_751091715_n.jpg[/img]</p> <p>[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250641_10151677868195558_980036683_n.jpg[/img]</p> <p>[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8510718740_e3554f8d6b_k.jpg[/img]</p> <p>A small model(does not show full height of layers)<br /> [img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/482321_10151771218090558_1133015928_n.jpg[/img]</p> <p>So&#8230;.what we are needing to do is to join these long, spindly tentacle sections to the main body of the piece. As you can imagine there will be some significant overhang. I&#8217;m not even sure this overhang will work due to the weght, but anyway, we&#8217;ll see.</p> <p>Does anyone have any recommendations for joining the ends? I was thinking a halving joint or a scarf-joint with green pegs driven through and perhaps wedged either side&#8230;?<br /> [img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577241_10151771165570558_134907303_n.jpg[/img]<br /> Anyone have any thoughts..book recommendations? People to approach for advice?<br /> I know there are some woody types on here so thought I&#8217;d ask.<br /> Thanks.</p>