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A 5ft bench with angled 2x4 legs and a 2x8 top, built to hide every fastener from view.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top | 2 | 1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 60" | 2x8 | ☐ |
| Top cleats Both ends 10° off square, long point to long point, ends NOT parallel. | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 13 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Legs, long Both ends 10° off square, long point to short point, ends parallel. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 15 1/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Legs, mid Both ends 10° off square, long point to long point, ends NOT parallel. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 11 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Legs, short Both ends 10° off square, long point to long point, ends NOT parallel. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 7 5/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Bottom stretcher | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 52" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pine or cedar, 2x4, 8 ft | 3 each | ☐ |
| Pine or cedar, 2x8, 10 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2-3/4" self-tapping wood screws | 24 each | ☐ |
| Wood stain or paint | 8 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Table Saw, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine or cedar, 2x4, 8 ft, Pine or cedar, 2x8, 10 ft
Cut the two 2x8 top boards to 60" and every leg, cleat, and stretcher piece per the cut list, paying close attention to which pieces need parallel ends and which don't — a 10° angle that isn't oriented the same way on a matching pair won't close up cleanly.
Dry-fit one leg assembly before cutting the rest — it's much cheaper to fix a 2x4 than to redo the whole set.
Tools: Combination Square, Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine or cedar, 2x4, 8 ft, 2-3/4" self-tapping wood screws
Assemble each leg pair — one long angled piece with one short or mid angled piece — into a splayed leg assembly. Repeat for both ends of the bench.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine or cedar, 2x4, 8 ft, 2-3/4" self-tapping wood screws
Attach the 2x4 bottom stretcher (52") between the two leg assemblies. This is what keeps the bench from racking side to side once someone sits on one end.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine or cedar, 2x4, 8 ft, Pine or cedar, 2x8, 10 ft, 2-3/4" self-tapping wood screws
Attach the 2x8 top boards to the leg assemblies using the three angled top cleats, positioning the screws so they're driven from the underside and inside faces only — nothing should be visible looking at the bench from a normal seated angle.
Tools: Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Wood stain or paint
Sand every surface and edge, then finish with paint or stain suited to where the bench will live — indoors or out.