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Furniture

Sturdy 2×4 Bench

Step-by-step build — 8 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Build Bench Seat Frame

    Drill 1 1/2'' pocket holes and attach 2x4's to 4x4 posts using 2 1/2'' pocket hole screws.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 4

  2. 2Add Planks to the Seat

    Using deck screws, attach the seat planks to the frame. Start with the front and back planks (59"), then work inward (66"), leaving 1/4" space between each board.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 5

  3. 3Build Bench Back Frame

    Cut your 2x4's (19" & 16") at 15 degrees (measuring on the long side of the angle). Drill 1 1/2'' pocket holes and attach with 2 1/2'' pocket hole screws to build a frame for the back rest.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 6

  4. 4Add Planks to the Backrest

    Using deck screws, attach the backrest planks to the frame. Start with the bottom and top planks (59" and 66"), then work inward, leaving 1/4" space between each board.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 7

  5. 5Attach Backrest to the Seat

    Using lag bolts, attach the backrest to the bench seat. Screw the bottom 2x4 of the frame to the bench seat.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 8

  6. 6Finish Bench

    Fill holes, sand, and paint or stain the bench. Finishing off with polyurethane.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 9

  7. 7Secure Backrest

    Using 4 inch lag screws, attach the backrest to the bench seat. Lag screws should be spaced about 10 inches apart. Screw the bottom 2x4 of the frame to the bench seat.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 10

  8. 8Build Seat Frame

    Build the seat frame using pocket hole screws.

    Sturdy 2×4 Bench — step photo 11