How to Make a Backless Sitting Bench

Benches are a versatile yet simple seating solution indoors and out.

Benches are sturdy pieces of furniture that can stand up to the rigors of daily life. Up until the Middle Ages, commoners and royalty alike used benches throughout their homes precisely because of this strength. Though they lack the mobility and comfort of chairs, benches can accommodate more people and mesh seamlessly with most room designs, making them a good choice for rustic or utilitarian designs, and family-friendly homes.

Things You'll Need

• 2 two-by-fours, 47-inch
• 2 two-by-fours, 9 1/4-inch
• Wood glue
• 16D Nails, 3 1/2 inch
• Hammer
• 1/4-inch plywood sheets, 9 1/4 inches by 50 inches
• 6D nails, 2-inch
• 1-inch plywood sheet, 10 1/4 inches by 53 inches
• Pencil
• Ruler
• 1-inch screws
• Drill
• 2, 3/4-inch plywood sheets, 11 inches by 17 1/4 inches
• 2-inch screws
• 3/4-inch plywood squares, 8 inches per side
• Saw
• Filler
• Sandpaper
• Stain
• Tack cloth
• Brush

Instructions

1. Lay the 47-inch two-by-fours on the ground, parallel to each other, so that they are standing on the 2-inch side.

2. Place the 9 1/2-inch two-by-fours to the right and left side of the 47-inch two-by-fours. Prop the 9 1/2-inch boards on their sides so that they cap the ends of the 47-inch two-by-fours and form a rectangular frame.

3. Apply a small amount of glue to the ends of the 47-inch boards where they meet the 9 1/2-inch boards and press. Drive two 16D nails into each of the four corners so that the nails pass through the face grain of the 9 1/2-inch board and into the edge grain of the 47-inch board. Remove excess glue with a damp rag.

4. Apply glue to the upper edge of the frame. Place the 1/4-inch plywood that is 9 1/4 inches by 50 inches on top of the frame so that it fits over the frame perfectly with no overhang. Secure the plywood top to the frame with 10 to 20, 2-inch nails along the perimeter of the top. Keep nails evenly spaced and about 1 inch from the edge of the plywood. Wipe off excess glue with a damp rag.

5. Lay the 1-inch plywood that is 10 1/4 inches by 53 inches on your work surface so that the long side is horizontal. Measure 1 1/2 inches from the left edge and place a mark; extend the mark to form a vertical line dividing the board at 1 1/2 inches. Repeat on the right edge. Measure 1/2 inch down from the top edge of the board; extend the mark to form a horizontal line forming a 1/2-inch boundary. Repeat, measuring 1/2 inch from the bottom edge of the board. Connect all four lines to form a rectangle in the middle of the plywood that measures 9 1/4 inches by 50 inches. This is the underside of the seat.

6. Brush a coat of glue over the surface of this rectangle. Overturn the frame so that the plywood board is facing downward and align it over the glue rectangle. Press the frame down onto the underside of the seat. Make sure that the frame is exactly over the rectangle, leaving 1 1/2-inch overhang on either side, and 1/2-inch overhang on the front and back of the bench.

7. Drive five 1-inch screws into the shorter sides of the frame. These screws will pass through two sheets of plywood. This completes the seat of the bench.

8. Turn the seat so that one of the short sides is facing you. Paint the face grain of the frame with glue. Hold the 3/4-inch plywood sheets that measures 11 inches by 17 1/4 inches upright so that the longer side is vertical. Press the plywood against the frame so that it fits within the overhang of the seat with 1/2 inch on the right and left side and 3/4 inch on the side facing you. Secure the leg with three 2-inch screws driven into the face grain of the leg and the seat frame. Space screws evenly.

9. Repeat Step 8 to attach the other leg.

10. Saw the 3/4-inch plywood squares in half diagonally to form four 8-inch right triangles.

11. Place one of the triangles against the long side of the frame, so that the right angle of the triangle fits in the angle formed by the seat and leg. Apply glue to the back of the triangle where it meets the frame. Drive a single 2-inch screw into the center of the triangle so that it secures the piece to the frame. Repeat on the three remaining sides.

12. Flip the bench over. Drive two screws into the four sides of the legs. The screws should pass through the face grain of the leg and into the end grain of the triangular support piece.

13. Drive a screw down into the bench seat so that it passes through the plywood and into the end grain of the triangle support.

14. Fill screw holes with wood filler and dry overnight.

15. Sand the bench so that the filled holes are flush with the surrounding wood.

16. Dust the bench with a tack cloth.

17. Stain the bench and paint as desired.

References

• "A History of Interior Design"; John F. Pile; 2005
• "Making Workbenches: Planning, Building, Outfitting"; Sam Allen; 2008
• "Porches, Decks & Outbuildings"; Taunton Press; 1997
• Wayne of the Woods: Free Bench Seat Plan