Easy, Elegant Bench – Metric

Instructions

1. 1. Create the Legs and Side Rail

   Cut four Legs and two Side Rails to length from 19 x 89mm boards, as shown in the cutting diagram. Set your Kreg Jig for 19mm material, and then drill pocket holes in the ends of each of the Side Rails as shown.

2. 2. Assemble the Side Frames

   Position two Legs against one Side Rail, as shown, and attach the Legs using 32mm fine-thread Kreg screws to create a leg frame. Repeat this to create the other leg frame.

3. 3. Make the Bottom and Seat Rails

   • Cut four Seat Rails, as well as two Bottom Rails to length from a 19 x 63mm board, as shown in the cutting diagram.
   • Drill pocket screws into both ends of each Rail, and then set two aside. These will be Bottom Rails. In the remaining four rails, drill additional pocket screw holes along one edge, as shown. These will be Seat Rails.

4. 4. Start Bench Assembly

   • With a leg frame lying flat on a work surface, position and install the two bottom rails using 32mm fine-thread Kreg screws.
   • Then position the Seat Rails, as shown. Make sure the pocket holes are oriented correctly for attaching the Seat Slats later.
   • Then attach the Seat Rails using 32mm coarse-thread Kreg screws.

5. 5. Add the Other Side Frame

   Now position the assembly you just made on top of the second leg frame. Make sure everything is aligned, and then secure the assembly to the frame using 32mm fine-thread Kreg screws.

6. 6. Add Support with a Stretcher

   Cut one Bottom Stretcher to length from a 19 x 63mm board, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then drill pocket holes in both ends of the Bottom Stretcher, as shown.

7. 7. Install the Stretcher

   • Set the bench base assembly upright on your work surface.
   • Now position the Bottom Stretcher so it is centered on the length of the Bottom Rails. Secure the Stretcher using 32mm fine-thread Kreg screws. If you want to hide the pocket holes in the Bottom Stretcher and Bottom Rails, you can glue in pocket-hole plugs, and then sand them flush. The holes in the Seat Rails won’t show after the Seat Slats are installed.