Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Bench

Start at the center pedestal and work outward — you're building three identical pedestal bases. Glue and nails do the job here since the pedestals sit in compression under the seat. As you assemble each core, make sure you can still thread the center stretcher through the opening; that stretcher has to pass through all three, so leave its channel clear.

Add the beveled 2x6 caps to the top of each pedestal. The 45° bevels flare the caps so the pedestals read as shaped bases rather than plain blocks. Glue and nail.

Cut the arched 2x4 details with a jigsaw and sand them smooth, then attach with glue and nails. You can attach these before assembling the pedestal core, from the inside, if that's easier for you — the order is flexible.

Attach the beveled 2x6 feet to the bottom of each pedestal. Shape them so the bench rests on points rather than flat — this keeps it from rocking on an uneven floor. Add felt pads under the contact points to protect the floor.

Pass the long center stretcher through all three pedestals and fasten the pedestals to it. This single member ties the three bases into one rigid line — without it, a nine-foot bench flexes and wobbles end to end.

Build the seat top first: join the boards with pocket holes down their length using 1-1/4" or 2-1/2" pocket screws to suit the stock. Pick the straightest boards for the long top rails — a bow shows badly over eight-plus feet.

Set the finished top on the pedestal-and-stretcher assembly and fasten the pedestal bases up into the top. Check that all three pedestals bear evenly on the floor before you drive the last screws, then sand and finish. One bench done.