This small bench is made from one piece of solid wood, the design is very very old, from acient China. Now it is said that only quit a few people know how to make it, so it took me very long time to figure out the dementions and correct proportion of the moving parts.

When it is unfolded, it is a mini bench, I can sit on it if I made it a little bit bigger. When it is folded, it is just a wood block, people used to use it as a pillow, but I won’t, it heart my head a lot.

 

It is made from one piece of solid walnut, you can see it from the end grain. The demention of the original blank is  12″L * 3 1/2″ W * 1 7/8″ T. When it is finished, the thickness become 1/8″ less, I will explain it latter.

No glue, no reassembel, all the shapes are cutted by chisels and saws.

I use 1/2″ mortise chisel to cut these triangle shape mortises, use band saw to rip the layers, this made the final thichness less. Use plunge cutting saw to cut through the mortises.

Side elevation. If you want to make a similar one, you can use my propotion. The mortises in the middle are 2″ L * 1/2″W * 5/8″ D; and the side ones are: 1″L * 1/2″W * 5/8″D

The following are unfolding process:

1, unfold the two main parts, they will form the bench top and part of the legs.

2, unfold the two tiny legs

3, Squize leges with bench tops together, they will form a stable support structure.

4, Let it stand on it self~~ Transforming is done~

From the top elevation, you can see the gaps in the middle.

Some more details about the joinery, 

Finished with bees wax, I like bees wax, like the color and smooth feeling.