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A long sawhorse-style bench for the patio, built from six boards. Splayed sawhorse legs give it a wide, stable stance — but they mean a lot of bevels.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End legs Both ends 10° double bevel, ends parallel. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 15 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Center legs Both ends 10° off square, ends parallel (single bevel, not double). | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 15 1/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Leg feet/tops Longest point; both ends 10° off square, not parallel. | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 5 5/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Trestle gussets Both ends 45° bevel, not parallel. | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 12 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 88" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top center board | 1 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 88" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| End aprons One end 25° bevel, other end 17° bevel, cut in the same direction. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 32 1/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft (Pressure-treated or cedar) Legs, supports, top. Use a rot-resistant species for outdoor use. | 5 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 8 ft (Pressure-treated or cedar) Center top board. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior | 40 each | ☐ |
| Waterproof wood glue | 6 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior, Waterproof wood glue
A Kreg-style pocket-hole jig makes this whole bench. Build the two end trestles using 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" exterior pocket screws plus glue. Cut the 10° bevels carefully — the leg splay is what keeps this bench from tipping, and a leg cut square will rock. Build the center leg now too if you like.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior, Waterproof wood glue
Join the leg sets to their headers with 1-1/2" pocket holes, 2-1/2" pocket screws, and glue. Keep each trestle flat and square as you fasten so all the feet land in one plane.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, 2x6, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior, Waterproof wood glue
Build the bench top first, joining the boards with pocket holes. For outdoor use, leave a small gap between the top boards so water drains rather than sits in the seams. Then attach the trestles to the underside of the top with a 10-1/4" overhang past each end.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior
Either build the center leg as a full trestle and attach it the way you did the ends, or attach the middle header at this stage and add the leg next. Center it along the span so it actually supports the middle of the seat, not just decorates it.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior, Waterproof wood glue
Fasten the center leg at the middle. For extra rigidity on a long bench, tie the center leg into the outside trestles with a stretcher — worth doing if the bench will see hard use.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Miter Saw. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", exterior
Optionally frame the bench top with the angled end aprons for extra support and a finished edge, cutting the 25°/17° ends so they wrap the top cleanly. Ease all the edges and apply an exterior finish or let a cedar version silver naturally.