How to Build a Bench
How to Build a Bench
A bench is a flat seating area for one or more persons. Benches often, though not always, have a backrest, and sometimes have armrests as well. Benches can be made of stone, synthetic materials, or wood. This article will help you to construct your own garden bench made of wood.
Materials:
Eight boards of hardwood or pine, dimensions 1″x4″x16″
Eight boards of the same wood, 1″x4″x47″
Four posts of the same wood, 4″x4″x16-3/8″
88 deck screws, 2 inches long
1 quart of stain (option)
1 quart of polyurethane or deck finish
Tools:
Ruler or tape measure
sandpaper
drill with driver bit, 1/8″
clamps
Phillips driver bit
Assembling the seat:
Place one 47-inch long piece of wood on the workbench so that the 1″-wide surface lies flush with the workbench. Attach one 16 inch board to the inside of one end, so that the top of the 2″ surface of that board is at a right angle to the first board. Use the 2″ deck screws to do this. The result should be an L-shaped structure 4″ tall.
For best results when drilling and inserting deck screws, use two screws to secure each joining piece of wood. Place one screw at the top and the other at the bottom of the juncture.
Place another 47-inch piece of wood on the workbench and attach it to the end of the 16-inch board with 2″ deck screws. You will now have a U-shaped structure 4″ tall, with the two 47″ pieces attached to ends of the 16″ piece.
Using 11/4″ deck screws again, attach a second 16″ piece of wood to the other ends of the 47″ long boards. This forms a square 4″ tall, 18″ wide, and 47″ long.
Attach four 16″-long boards at equal intervals between the first two, on the inside of the 47″ long boards. Use 2″ deck screws to attach. Use the ruler or tape measure. Attach one 16″ board every 11 inches down the length of the two 47″ boards.
Attach two 47″-long boards to the top surface of the 16″ supports, perpendicular to and joined to the first two 47″ boards. Use 2″ deck screws.
Attach two additional 47″ long boards to the top surfaces of the 16″ supports midway between the first two. The 47″ boards will almost touch each other. They should form a flat and level surface. This will be the bench seat.
Sand the surface of the seat carefully, making sure there are no splinters.
Attaching the legs:
Turn the seat upside down so that the four 47″-long pieces of wood lie flat on the workbench. Stand the 4×4x163/8 inch pieces of wood up in each inside corner of the inverted seat so that the 163/8 side reaches skyward. Secure each leg with clamps.
Use the drill to attach the legs with deck screws by drilling through the outside of the 47″ piece into the 4×4″ piece. Use two screws. Repeat this for the adjoining corner of the 4×4″ leg that lies flush with the 16″ outer support for that leg.
Repeat this step for the remaining three legs of the bench. Each leg should be attached with four screws, 2 on each outside corner of the seat by which that leg will be supported.
Remove the clamps and use the sand paper to smooth the ends of each leg.
Attaching the lower supports
Using the deck screws, attach one of the remaining 16″-long pieces of wood to the outside of the 4×4″ legs at each end of the bench. Repeat the same process at the other end of the bench.
Using the deck screws, attach one of the remaining 47″ pieces to each end of the 4′x4″ legs along the length of the bench. Repeat the same process on the opposite length of the bench.
Finishing:
Stain the surfaces of the wood, or allow them to retain their natural color. To protect the wood from weathering and eventual deterioration, apply a coat of polyurethane or deck sealant after the stain has dried. Allow the stain or finish to dry thoroughly before using.
Additional Tips and Advice:
Use stain or sealant in a well-ventilated area; fumes can be harmful to users.
Use caution when operating saws or other power machinery.
Place your bench in the garden or on your patio and enjoy the weather!