Splayed Leg X Bench

Cut the four legs at a 5° double bevel — the saw angled 5° off square and tilted 5° for the bevel. As soon as each leg is cut, mark its inside corner. With a 5° double bevel it's genuinely hard to tell which end and face is which once you start assembling, and mismarked legs splay the wrong way.

Mark the placement of the end aprons and predrill (pocket holes or countersunk screws and glue). Center the aprons on the legs as shown. Build both ends.

Attach the side aprons to the two end assemblies. They're cut at 5° off square with ends not parallel; the measurement given is short point to short point. This ties the base into a rigid frame.

Add the cross stretchers between the aprons. Doing this as its own step means you can lengthen the bench later by simply changing these — and it keeps the base square if you nudge the aprons in or out.

Mark the underside of the top 1-1/2" in from both ends to locate it, giving even overhangs. Attach with screws and glue (screw through the top if you're painting; from underneath if the top will show). Fill, sand, and finish.