How to Build a Wooden Picnic Bench

Benches lining a running path offer a welcome seat to tired runners.

A simple picnic bench can be used to with a picnic table or as a welcoming seat for garden visitors. Either way, a wooden picnic bench can make an outdoor setting more comfortable. Building a picnic bench requires some carpentry skill but is a simple and rewarding project.

Things You'll Need

• Cedar board, 1-by-4 inches by 12 feet
• Cedar board, 2-by-2 inches by 6 feet
• 4 cedar boards, 2-by-2 inches by 10 feet
• Cedar board, 2-by-4 inches by 6 feet
• Cedar board, 2-by-6 inches by 10 feet
• Cedar board, 2-by-8 inches by 6 feet
• Circular saw
• Drill
• 1½-inch deck screws
• Exterior wood glue
• 2½-inch deck screws
• Tape measure
• Casing nails
• Hammer
• Metal yardstick
• Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Rag
• Mineral spirits
• Wood sealer/stain

Instructions

1. Cut four leg halves to 1½ by 7¼ by 14 ½ inches using a circular saw. Cut eight cleats to ¾ by 3½ by 16 inches. Cut one trestle to 1½ by 3 ½ by 60 inches. Place two cleats, one on each side of the top of a leg half. Attach the pieces together by drilling four 1½-inch deck screws into each cleat. Repeat with a second set of cleats and sandwich the top of a leg half between them so that they are touching the top and outer edge of the leg half. Join the pieces together with four 1½-inch deck screws driven into each cleat.

2. Stand the assembled units on their ends so that the long side of the leg half is touching the ground and the free ends of the cleats are facing upward. Set the two assembled units 4 feet apart facing each other and place the trestle against the bottom of the cleats and on the inner edges of the leg halves. Connect the trestle at both ends with an assembled unit.

3. Push the assembled units closer so that the trestle hangs over the leg halves by 1½ inches on both ends. Glue the trestle to the leg halves at both ends with exterior wood glue and then screw the trestle to the leg halves with 2½-inch deck screws.

4. Place two more cleats below the first set and snug against the trestle on both assembled units. Attach four 1½-inch deck screws drilled into each cleat.

5. Set another leg half in between the cleats on each assembled unit. Keep the leg halves level with the tops of the cleats. Connect the leg halves to the cleats with exterior wood glue and four 2½-inch deck screws into each cleat.

6. Cut three braces with a circular saw to 1½ by 1½ by 16 inches. Attach one brace evenly with the top of the inner top cleat. These will help support the seat slats.

7. Cut out two aprons to 1½ by 5½ by 60 inches with a circular saw. Measure 3 inches from each end of the aprons and mark with a pencil. Measure the middle of the bottom edge of the board and mark 1½ inches up from the bottom. Draw an even arch by placing two casing nails on the 3-inch mark on each end and then place a casing nail on the middle 1½-inch mark. Place a metal yardstick behind the 3-inch nails and in front of the middle 1½-inch nail, creating an arch. Trace the inside of the yardstick, giving you an even arch. Repeat for both apron pieces.

8. Cut along the traced lines on the aprons with a jigsaw. Sand the arches smooth with sandpaper.

9. Cut out eight slat pieces to 1½ by 1½ by 60 inches with a circular saw. Connect one slat to the top non-arched inside edge of each of the aprons with exterior wood glue and 2½-inch deck screws. Spread exterior wood glue on the ends of the bottom sides of the two attached slats. Flip the assembled unit over and set the ends of the attached slats onto the ends of the braces. Screw 2½-inch deck screws into the braces, attaching them to the slats at each end.

10. Set the middle brace between the two aprons so that the brace's ends touch both aprons. Spread exterior wood glue on the brace's ends and screw the brace in place with 2½-inch deck screws.

11. Flip the unit into the standing position and space the remaining six slats on top of the unit ½ inch from one another. Glue each of the slats' ends with exterior wood glue and stick into place. Flip the unit over so the slats are facing the ground and screw through the braces into the slats with 2½-inch deck screws.

12. Sand the completed unit smooth with sandpaper. Remove the sanding shavings with a rag dampened in mineral spirits and paint or apply a wood sealer.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply a clear wood sealer if you don't wish to alter the cedar finish or you stain it to give it a deeper color.

• Countersink screws when making furniture.

• If your bench or any furniture wobbles, set a kiddy pool exactly level by placing shims under it until it is completely level. Fill the pool with ¼ inch of water and set your wobbly furniture into the water and remove it quickly. Mark the tops of the water lines on all legs. This will give you a level line to adjust the legs from.

• Use caution when using power tools.

References

• "The Complete Guide to Creative Landscapes"; Black and Decker; 2000