Hey Clif-

Beautiful bench! I was about to comment on the fact that the top was made
up of endgrain joined pieces and that I thought that joining endgrain
resulted in a less than strong bond, but then I realized that since the
pieces are laid out brick-fashion, there's enough side to side glue surface
between boards to counter this, in addition to the dowels. I assume
everyone else knew this since no one said anything, but it's new to me. 
Nice solution in a world where cheep or free hunks of wood are getting
smaller and smaller.

Maybe I'll bring a case of beer over to the guys at the pallet making plant
up the street and see if I can make some friends....

Art Bailey
Queens, NY