Dark colors are befitting of the solemn nature of the Kneeler. It's finished with two coats of dark walnut satin paint. The Cushion is wrapped in a synthetic leather of a similar color.
Features and Materials
Key Features
- The tops of the Handles are 23” above the floor
- The Handles have an attractive taper along each edge
- The wooden kneeling surface measures 21”x7 1/4” and is 6 1/2” above the floor
- The Cushion is 1 1/2” thick and comfortable for prolonged kneeling
- The Cushion is secured to the Top with Velcro straps laced through 4 holes in the Top
- The Cushion overhangs each edge of the Top by more than 1 1/4” to prevent knees or shins from accidentally coming into direct contact with the edges of the wood
- The Feet are 13” wide for stability
- A 4 1/2”x2 1/2” Christian cross is mortised 1/8” deep into the outside face of each Handle
- Two sets of 1/4-20 hardware are used to secure the Handles to the Feet and Support Rails for maximum strength
Materials Used to Construct the Kneeler
- Wood: 1”x8” poplar boards (actual dimensions: 3/4”x7 1/4”)
- MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): 1/4” thick
- Glue: None on the Kneeler. Glue of your choice is used to make a Template.
- Screws: #8x1 1/4” and #10x2” flathead wood screws
- Nails: #18x1 1/2”. (Nails are optional and useful only if a nail gun is available.)
- Special hardware and other material:
- 1/4-20 threaded rod (2 required)
- 1/4-20 sex bolts (4 required). (Yes, that’s what they’re called. Information and links are provided in the downloadable Instructions.)
- Padding suitable for kneeling (Described in the Instructions)
- Fabric to cover the padding (Described in the Instructions)
- Velcro straps
Some Pictures
The Top Has 4 Holes to Secure the Cushion
Four 1" holes in the Top provide a place where Velcro straps on the Cushion can wrap through to hold the Cushion in place.
Velcro Straps Sewn to Cushion
Four Velcro straps are sewn near the corners of the Cushion. These wrap through the holes in the Top to secure the Cushion to the Top.
Commercial Kneeler Is Used for Padding
A kneeling pad available from Home Depot was cut to size to make the padding for the Cushion. A description and link to the kneeling pad is provided in the downloadable Instructions.
Template for Mortising the Cross
A template is used to mortise a cross into each Side. The template is formed from 8 pieces of MDF. The downloadable Instructions explain how it's done.
Heavy Duty Hardware Provides Strength
Beefy Hardware is Used
Two 1/4-20 threaded rods are used to make the Kneeler strong.
There naturally will be outward forces acting on the Handles when someone tries to stand up. Those forces are multiplied at the bottom of the Handles where they are secured to the base.
The two sets of 1/4-20 hardware help to ensure that the Kneeler can withstand those forces.
The special hardware that's used to secure the 1/4‑20 threaded rod is described and linked in the downloadable Instructions.
Download Free Plans, Pictures, and Instructions
The ZIP file contains all of the pictures, INSTRUCTIONS.PDF file, SketchUp design file "Kneeler_17_SKETCHUP_VERSION_8.skp", and PDF design file "Kneeler_17_SKETCHUP_VERSION_8.pdf". BE SURE TO READ THE "INSTRUCTIONS.PDF" FILE that's included in the ZIP file.