How to Make Cedar Furniture

You can make virtually any type of furniture from cedar. Cedar comes from needle bearing trees and is therefore in the "soft wood" category. As a soft wood, cedar is easier to work with and less expensive than hardwoods such as oak, but not quite as durable. Cedar is also known for its pleasant scent and its insect resistant properties. This guide details how to make a rolling cedar workbench.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Two 3 foot by 4 foot sheets of 3/4 inch plywood
• Four 17 inch long cedar posts 4 inches by four inches
• 1 5/8 inch decking screws
• Four casters (wheels with mountings)
• Drill
• Measuring tape
• 12 squares of self-stick carpet tiles (optional)
• Wood glue (optional)

Shop for Furniture Making Materials

1. Check the measurements and quality of your wood before you buy to avoid return visits to the store.
2. Ask the lumberyard staff to cut your cedar posts to size for you if they are not pre-cut to the correct size.
3. Consider purchasing more cedar than your plans call for in case you make a mistake.

Attach the Legs to Your Cedar Workbench

4. Measure out a three by four foot rectangle on the ground.
5. Place the cedar posts upright at each corner of the rectangle.
6. Lay one of the sheets of plywood on top of the posts.
7. Adjust the sheet of plywood so that all of the corners are flush with the post edges. If you choose to, use wood glue on each of the post tops.
8. Secure each leg to the plywood with screws. Use at least two screws per post for a secure connection.
9. Position the casters on top of the plywood sheet you just attached the legs to.
10. Screw the casters into place just inside each of the four corners of the plywood sheet.
11. Lock the casters so they do not roll, and flip the table over onto the casters.

Make the Work Surface

12. Position the remaining plywood sheet atop the post legs sticking up.
13. Screw the plywood top to the leg posts with two screws per post.
14. Apply with self stick carpet squares to the tabletop to complete your cedar workbench.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wood glue in addition to screws to make an extra sturdy table.
• Due to its high oil content, cedar is an excellent wood for making outdoor furniture.