How to Make Simple Wooden Benches With Basic Hand Tools
Our ancestors cut, drilled, planed and did everything else required to create their homes and furnishings--with nothing more than a few hand tools, and managed to get along very well. Today, with power available everywhere, it is still nice to get away from the noise and work the "old-fashioned" way once in awhile. The power source may be a bit slower, but the processes are the same. This bench makes use of few materials and basic carpentry skills. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- (1) 2 inch x 12 inch board 8 feet long--cut into (1) piece 48 inches; (2) pieces 18 inches each
- (1) 2 inch x 4 inch board 4 feet long---cut into (1) piece 43 inches
- (1) 2 inch x 2 inch board 4 feet long---cut into (4) pieces 11-1/4 inches each
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Measuring square
- Crosscut saw
- Brace (hand drill)
- 1/8 inch drill bit
- Screwdriver
- 12 gauge flat head screws
- Rasp
- Hand sander
- Sandpapers from coarse to fine
Instructions
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1
Use a measuring tape and pencil to mark an 8 foot long 2 inch x 12 inch board into three pieces as follows: one 48 inches long (mark "A"), and two 18 inches long each (mark "B").
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2
Mark a 4 foot long 2 inch x 4 inch board into one piece 43 inches long (mark "C").
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3
Mark a 4 foot long 2 inch x 2 inch board into four pieces 11-1/4 inches long each (mark "D").
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4
Use the measuring square to draw precise, straight lines across the boards at those marks, and cut each board at the lines, using a crosscut handsaw.
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5
Lay out all parts "D" and mark as follows: on one face of each, mark a dot in the center and another 1 inch from each end. Turn ALL four pieces counterclockwise (to your left) one turn, and on two of the pieces mark the same pattern as before--one dot centered, another 1 inch from each end (mark these D1); on the remaining two pieces mark only the center point (mark D2).
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6
Use a brace (hand drill) and 1/8 inch bit to drill all the way through the wood at each dot marked in parts "D". These are pilot holes for screws.
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7
Use a rasp to shape the ends of the "A" so that it has slightly rounded corners and top. Follow with sandpaper (working from coarse to fine until the whole board top and ends are smooth).
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8
Repeat sanding procedure to smooth surfaces of parts B, C and D--do NOT round ends.
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9
On one side of both parts "B", measure and draw a line 9 inches from one end (the center of the board).
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10
Position one part "D2" along the line drawn on each part "B", so that each sits below the center line ( perpendicular to "B") and with the face containing three drilled holes facing up. Screw both parts "D2" to both parts "B" through the pre-drilled holes.
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11
Place parts "D1" at the top edge of each part "B" and attach with screws through the three pre-drilled holes as with the step above.
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12
Stand both parts "B" upright with the parts "D" facing. Lay part "C" across between them and fasten each end by screwing them from underneath through parts "D2" at the pre-drilled center hole.
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13
Turn "A" over. Measure and draw a line 2-1/2 inches in from each end. Invert the entire leg and brace section (the now assembled parts B,C and D) over it, positioning parts "D1" so that they lie directly along the lines drawn on the underside of "A".
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14
Fasten in place with screws using the previously drilled pilot holes as guides.
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15
Sand the bench smooth. Finish with stain or paint as desired.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use pine or other softwood for ease of working. Use oak, walnut, maple or other hardwood for durability. Cedar and redwood are best for unpainted surfaces that will be exposed to the weather. You can learn more about wood and its uses in furniture making at Sawdust Making 101. (See Reference 1)
