Instructions on How to Build a Bench
Benches are a versatile piece of furniture to have around your home. You can build a wooden bench as a weekend woodworking project. A wooden bench consists of legs, a seat and cross-stretchers to support the legs along the front and back. You can build a bench from anything from pine to cedar. A small wooden bench can be a convenient place to sit down and remove your boots on a porch prior to entering your house, or as a simple hallway seat. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2 pine boards, 1-inch by 12-inch, 18 inches long
- Pine board, 1-inch by 12-inch, 36 inches long
- 1 box of flush-trim wood screws
- Screw gun
- Pine boards, 1-inch by 6-inch, 34-1/2 inches long
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- Sanding block, fine-grit sandpaper
- Wood finish
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Place the two 1-inch by 12-inch by 18-inch boards parallel to each other with the outside edges 36 inches apart with the 1-inch by 12-inch ends flat on a work surface. These will be the legs of your bench.
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2
Position the 1-inch by 12-inch by 36-inch board on top of the legs with the 12-inch by 36-inch side flat on the 1-inch by 12-inch ends of the legs. This is the bench seat. Drive flush-trim wood screws through the top of the seat into the ends of the legs with a screw gun. Space the screws evenly every 2 inches.
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3
Slide the 1-inch by 6-inch by 34-1/2-inch boards underneath the seat between the legs on the front and back edges of the seat and legs. The 1-inch by 34-1/2-inch edge should be tight against the bottom side of the seat board. The 1-inch by 6-inch ends should butt up against the inside sides of the legs.
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4
Drive flush-trim wood screws through the outside sides of the legs into the ends of the 1-inch by 6-inch by 34-1/2-inch cross-stretchers. Use three evenly spaced screws per joint.
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5
Fill the screw holes with wood putty, using the edge of a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry and sand it flush with a sanding block equipped with fine-grit sandpaper.
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6
Apply a wood finish to the bench. Allow the finish to dry prior to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Paint a decorative design on the seat top for a traditional country look.
Wear safety glasses when woodworking.
