Teak Planter Top

Here's a little pot lid/seat/table top that I made out of teak to go with the teak bench on the porch. I glued up four boards with a tongue an groove joint and attached battens to the back with brass screws. The battens will keep the top flat and index the lid to the pot. I slotted the screw holes to allow for wood movement. Teak is naturally oily, so I finished it with one coat of tung oil, which really brought out the color.

While hand planing the top, I remembered how teak dulls tools fast due to a high amount of silica in the wood. I had to re-sharpen my plane blade after I finished this small piece. I sure like the feel of the teak in my hands and the smell, but it's really an expensive wood.