How To Make Wooden Benches

With the right plans, materials, and equipment, you can construct this simple wooden bench, as shown here.

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Materials
  • 1 1/4" Thick x 17" Wide x 96" Over-sized Pine (or wood of choice) (Note: If over-sized wood is not available, use 2x4's glued edge-to-edge and planed to size): One Piece for the Top and two Legs
  • 1 1/4" x 3 1/2" x 96" Pine (use 2x4's or wood of choice): Three pieces for the Braces
  • 2 1/2" Wood Screws: 1/8 lb.
  • 1 1/4" Kreg Screws: 1/8 lb.
  • 3/8" Wood Plugs: 4
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood Filler and Glue
  • Satin Finish Polyurethane Poly

Tools
  • Table Saw
  • Belt Sander or 120 grit sandpaper and a block (320 grit for finish sanding)
  • Tape Measure
  • Pencil
  • Corner/Arc Template
  • Miter Saw
  • Band Saw
  • Power Drill with DeWalt 9/64 Tapered Bit with Plug Cutter
  • Router with Round-over Bit
  • Kreg Pocket Hole System
  • Screw Gun
  • Two Clamps: Bar Clamps and a Gripping Clamp
  • Hammer

Step 1: Cut the Bench Pieces - Determine the desired size of your bench or use the dimensions provided here

  • Select the planed 1 1/4" x 17" stock: Crosscut the Top and Two Leg Panels per the dimensions above
  • Select the 1 1/4" or 2x4 x 96" stock: Cut two pieces @ 51 5/8" with 15 degree angles as shown above for the two, Top Braces
  • Select the third, 1 1/4" or 2x4 x 96" stock: Add "FOUR INCHES" to the Top Brace measurement and cut the Lower Brace @ 55 5/8"

Step 2: Make the two, Legs - Select the two Leg Pieces; determine and mark the "Left" and the "Right"

  • Select the two Legs with the 15 degree cuts made on the top and bottom edges; Layout the cuts to be made per the dimensions above
  • Using a miter saw cut the top edges; using a Bandsaw, round the bottom, outer edges and cut out the hole in the lower edges
  • Using a sander, sand the Legs smooth (DO NOT sand the top or bottom edges)
  • Using a Router with a Round-over bit, round all edges (DO NOT router the top or bottom edges)
  • Using a Kreg Pocket Hole System, drill the holes along the top, interior edge, as show above

Step 3: Complete Bench Seat and Top Braces - Select the Seat and two, Top Brace Pieces

  • Using a Bandsaw, round the edges of the Seat
  • Using a Sander and Router, sand and router the Seat and the Top Braces (Note: Router only the "bottom edges" of the Braces)
  • Using the Kreg System, drill pocket holes along the "top and side, interior" edges of the Top Braces that will connect to the Legs and Seat

Step 4: Assemble the Bench - Select the sanded pieces

  • Select the two Legs and two, Top Braces; using Kreg screws, attach the Braces to the Legs
  • Select Leg/Brace assembly and the Seat; Center and attach the assembly to the bottom of the Seat Piece
  • Select the Lower Brace and dry-fit it, center and mark where the Brace touches the Legs; Drill and countersink two holes on the exterior side of each of the Legs
  • Select the 2 1/2" wood screws and attach the Legs to the Lower Brace; Using glue and Wood Plugs, fill the holes; Sand the Plugs flush with the Leg surface

Step 5: Finish the Bench - Select the Completed Bench

  • Fill all holes and cracks with filler; Conduct a final sanding of all surfaces
  • Apply poly

Copyright 2013 - Wayne Murray

If you are a member of a non-profit organization and have any requests or suggestions regarding projects for your group, you can send Rod an email at: rodneyg@cheqnet.net