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Simple lines, bold colors, and easy construction make this bench a perfect project.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg | 4 | 3" × 3" × 18" | — | ☐ |
| Side Rail | 2 | 3" × 3" × 40" | — | ☐ |
| Seat Rail | 4 | 2" × 3" × 15" | — | ☐ |
| Bottom Rail | 2 | 2" × 3" × 15" | — | ☐ |
| Bottom Stretcher | 1 | 2" × 3" × 43" | — | ☐ |
| Seat Slat | 2 | 3" × 7" × 47" | — | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine board, 1x4 x 96" | 2 board | ☐ |
| Pine board, 1x3 x 96" | 1 board | ☐ |
| Pine board, 1x3 x 48" | 1 board | ☐ |
| Oak board, 1x8 x 96" | 1 board | ☐ |
| 1 1/4" coarse-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws | 36 each | ☐ |
| 1 1/4" fine-thread Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws | 8 each | ☐ |
| Quart clear polyurethane | 1 each | ☐ |
| Quart paint | 1 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Assemble two Legs to one Side Rail using 1 1⁄4" Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws to create a leg frame. We sued coarse-thread screws, which offer great holding power in the poplar we used for the base. Do the same for the other side.
With a leg frame lying flat on a work surface, lay out and install the two bottom rails with 1 1⁄4" Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws. Then lay out the location of the seat rails and install them onto one leg frame.
Move the assembly that you just created out of the way and set the other leg frame in its place. Then position the first assembly. Verify the location of the Rails on the leg frame, and secure them with 1 1⁄4" Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws.
Cut two seat slats to length from a 1x8 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. Sand the faces, edges, and ends of the Slats smooth.
Before you attach the Slats to the bench base, it's a good idea to apply the paint and finish--especially if you plan to use a combination of paint on the base and clear finish (or stain) on the Slats, as we did. You'll be able to get to all the surfaces more easily, so you'll get a better-quality result. We used latex paint on the base. On the Slats, we applied two coats of wipe-on polyurethane.
Mount the two Seat Slats to the finished frame with 1 1⁄4" Kreg Pocket-Hole Screws. We used fine-thread screws here to hold better in the hardwood oak Slats. Be sure to position the Slats so that all of the gaps are consistent (approximately 1⁄4" wide).