How to Build a Rough Wood Bench
Designing and building your own rough wood bench is a simple and rewarding do-it-yourself project. A rough wood bench is a great addition to your outdoor landscaping, or as outdoor impromptu seating during a barbecue or get-together. Rough wood benches also work well in the entrance way of your home. Adding a rustic touch to your decor, whether it be indoors or outdoors, is simple and inexpensive with a rough wood bench you can easily build.
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Things You'll Need
- 2-inch by 12-inch rough wood planks
- Wood posts
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Band saw
- Safety goggles
- Power drill
- 1-inch wood screws
- Sandpaper or power sander
Instructions
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Purchase rough wood from your local hardware store. Rough wood is untreated and not sanded, so you will have to pick pieces that are most suitable for a bench. Avoid pieces that have knots or are very uneven. Purchase untreated and unvarnished wood posts that match the color of the rough wood as closely as possible.
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Prepare the wood for the bench. Use a measuring tape and pencil to mark the length of your bench. Mark the wood posts so that when you cut them, they will all be 1 1/2 feet tall.
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3
Use a band saw to cut along the lines you've marked on the rough wood plank. Lay the plank against the carriage marker on the band saw and push the wood against the blade carefully and smoothly. Repeat with the wood posts.
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4
Pre drill holes through the top of the wood posts, so they are centered. Lay the rough wood plank face down, and position the legs evenly on the four corners. Use the pencil to trace the position of the posts.
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Predrill holes through the rough wood plank, making a hole in the center of each of the circles you've traced around the wood posts at each corner.
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Use four screws to secure the rough wood plank to the wood posts.
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Use a level to ensure that your bench sits level to the ground. If it is off, use sandpaper or a power sander to remove small layers from the longer leg until the bench sits evenly.
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Sand the legs and any rough edges on the completed bench. Do not sand the top too much, or the wood will lose its rough look. There is no need to varnish your bench.
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Tips & Warnings
Rough wood can be purchased at any hardware store, or you can use reclaimed wood.
Always wear safety goggles when operating a band saw or power sander.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wood image by Amjad Shihab from Fotolia.com
