Under $25
- Tape Measure
- Square
- Sander
- Drill
- **Saw – Optional if you have your local lumber supply cut your boards.
- **Kreg Jig – Optional, but makes the build a snap.
- 2 – 1×2 at 8′
- 1 – 1×3 at 10′
- 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws – if using a Pocket Hole Jig
- 1 1/4″ Wood Screws
- 2″ Wood Screws
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler
- Sanding Supplies
- Finishing Supplies
- 2 – 1×2 at 21″ Legs
- 2 – 1×2 at 10 1/4″ Legs
- 3 – 1×2 at 10″ Bench Seat Frame
- 5 – 1×2 at 19″ Bench Seat Frame, Seat, Stretcher, Back Rest
- 4 – 1×3 at 20 1/2″ Bench Seat
- 1 – 1×3 at 19″ Back Rest
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Cut your legs to size:
Build and Attach the Bench Seat Frame. Use a pocket hole system to construct the frame, set for 3/4″ stock or Use a #8 countersink bit and your2″ wood screws to build the frame and to attach use your 1 1/4″ wood screws.
Fasten the Bench Seat in Place. You can elect to use plywood or MDF and Iron on Edge Banding, or you can line up 1×3’s and secure them to the frame. To avoid so many screw holes showing , you can use a pocket hole system to join the boards together underneath and then attach as a single unit to the frame. You have a few options for this step please note that joining the boards with a pocket hole system is really more for the benefit of creating a single chair seat piece that can be secured with less frequent visible screw holes, to the frame and isn’t really a stability issue. To fasten the Seat to the Bench Base otherwise, use your #8 countersink bit and 2″ wood screws from the top and down into the frame and legs. Use 2 screws per seat slat on either side and fasten to either the frame or the leg depending upon which slat you are securing.
Attach the Aprons, Back Rests, and Stretchers. Use your pocket hole system set for 3/4″ stock or 2″ screws and your #8 countersink bit to pre-drill and fasten the stretchers and back rests, and use 1 1 /4″ wood screws to attach the aprons from underneath and on the inside of the bench seat frame.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
