Build a Bench Seat

A wooden bench, which can be made with basic framing lumber, can be used to add extra seating to the interior or exterior of your home. Place the bench against a wall, and now you have a back rest as well. A wooden bench is a movable piece of furniture that can be placed in a variety of places.

Things You'll Need

• Good-quality 2x6s (Douglas fir is a good choice) Circular saw Screw gun 2- to 2½-inch galvanized builders screws Orbital sander and sandpaper Semi-gloss paint or polyurethane finish

Instructions

Build a Bench Seat

1. Obtain your supplies, which will be mostly in the form of 2x6 or 2x4 lumber. The framing lumber should be of a good quality without any knots, and you will need at least 40-linear feet for each bench that you make.

2. Examine the wood closely and cut the seat parts into 6-foot lengths. If you are using 2x6s, you will need three 6-foot pieces. (or five 6-foot pieces if you are using 2x4s). Each piece for the seat needs to be thoroughly sanded with an orbital sander, especially around the edges.

3. Cut three cleats, to be installed on the bottom of the bench seat. The length of the cleat determines the width of the seat. Sixteen to 20 inches is a good width for a bench.

4. Attach one cleat in the center of the seat. The best way to do this is to lay out the bench planks on a pair of sawhorses and then attach the cleats from the top. One cleat should go in the center and then one at each end, beginning 8 inches from the outside edge. Attach the cleat to the seat with galvanized builders screws that are about 2½ inches long and install them with an electric screw gun. Make sure each plank gets two screws, at every point of intersection with one of the cleats. Three screws are better. Builders screws should have flat heads, so you can insert the screw until the head is flush with the surface.

5. Cut the legs and attach them to the bottom of the bench, which is now lying face up on your sawhorses or workbench. A good length for the leg is about 18 inches. With the thickness of your seat added, this will make for a bench that is 19½ inches tall. Cut two legs for each end and attach them with the same wood screws to the inside edge of the cleat. Use at least half a dozen screws for each leg and attach them at different angles.

6. Cut four braces with a 45-degree angle cut on each end. One brace will be attached to each leg. Place three screws in each end of the brace.

7. (optional, if needed.)

   Run a straight 2x4 between the legs, which should be about 4 feet apart. Attach this brace, which should have squared-off ends, with more screws. Now your bench should be sturdy and you can apply paint or finish. It should not be too heavy, so that it can be easily moved around.

Tips & Warnings

• Build the bench on top of a workbench or a pair of saw horses and then set it in place. Make sure the planks for the seat are true and straight.

• Make sure the top part of the seat is thoroughly sanded and smooth to the touch.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish