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Sturdy 2×4 Bench
A darling bench perfect for a garden, fire pit, or sitting on a patio or porch.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time
- 3.5–6.8 hours
- Cost
- $$$
Cut list
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backrest Supports | 2 | 2" × 4" × 16" | — | ☐ |
| Backrest Frame | 2 | 2" × 4" × 19" | — | ☐ |
| Backrest Frame | 2 | 2" × 4" × 56" | — | ☐ |
| Seat Planks & Seat Frame | 6 | 2" × 4" × 59" | — | ☐ |
| Seat Planks | 8 | 2" × 4" × 66" | — | ☐ |
| Arm Rests | 2 | 2" × 4" × 27" | — | ☐ |
| Seat Frame | 2 | 2" × 4" × 19" | — | ☐ |
| Seat Frame | 3 | 2" × 4" × 23" | — | ☐ |
| Corner Posts | 4 | 4" × 4" × 23" | — | ☐ |
Materials
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Board, 2x4 96" | 16 board | ☐ |
| Board, 4x4 96" | 1 board | ☐ |
| 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws | 25 each | ☐ |
| 2 1/2" Self Tapping Deck Screws | 25 each | ☐ |
| 5/16" x 4" Lag Screws | 6 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools
- Drill / Driver
- Impact Driver
- Miter Saw
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Random Orbit Sander
- Tape Measure — optional
Instructions
1. Build Bench Seat Frame
Drill 1 1/2'' pocket holes and attach 2x4's to 4x4 posts using 2 1/2'' pocket hole screws.
2. Add 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.
3. Build 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.
4. Add 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.
5. Attach 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.
6. Finish Bench
Fill holes, sand, and paint or stain the bench. Finishing off with polyurethane.
7. Secure 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.
8. Build Seat Frame
Build the seat frame using pocket hole screws.
