Shoe bench with storage and seat

- Drill pocket holes in the following locations on these boards: (2) Front/Back Spans- 2 on each end (2) Front/Back Spans- 2 on each end and 3 along one long edge (2) Side Braces- 2 on each end (2) Side Braces- 2 on each end and 1 on one long edge (1) Middle Brace- 2 on each end and 1 on one long edge (4) Tops- 4 along one long edge

- Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach a Front Span (that only has pocket holes on the ends) between two Legs at the base of the long edge of the Legs. - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach a Front Span (that has pocket holes along the long edge) between the two Legs with the pocket holes on the edge facing out. - Repeat to create the back panel using the remaining Legs and Back Spans.

- Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach the four Side Braces to the Back Panel with the pocket holes facing inward. - Attach to the four outer corners of the Legs. - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach the Middle Brace to the Back Span on the top that has the pocket holes along the edges.

- Lay the back panel down with the Braces facing up. - Apply wood glue to the ends of the Side and Middle Braces. - Lay the front panel on top of the Braces and align them in the same places as the back panel. - Use pocket hole screws to attach the Braces into the front panel.

- Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach one Top into another, connecting along the edge of the second piece that doesn’t have pocket holes. - Repeat for a second set of two Tops. - Face the two edges of the sets of Tops with pocket holes into the remaining Top without pocket holes. - Connect with wood glue and pocket hole screws. - Use a round over bit around the top edge of the seat to smooth it out, then sand.

- If you want to make a two-toned look, stain now. Even if you want to stain all one color, it might be easier to stain now before it’s all put together. - If going for a two-toned look, stain the Top and Slats one color and the frame another.

- Using wood glue and nails, attach the End Slats along the Side Braces on the ends of the base, between the Legs. - Using a Slat as a 3/4" spacer, attach each Slat 3/4" apart using wood glue and nails.

- Put a bead of wood glue around the top edge of the base. - Carefully align the Top on the base with 1” all the way around and clamp in place. - Using pocket hole screws on the Front Span, Back Span and Side Braces, attach the Top.

- Add a coat of polyurethane to the entire piece to protect it from the wear and tear it will receive. - Give a light sanding.

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