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A long farmhouse dining bench on three chunky pedestal bases tied together by a center stretcher. Nearly nine feet of seating for a big table.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestal uprights | 6 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 11 1/4" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Pedestal cores | 6 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 3 7/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Pedestal caps Both ends beveled 45° off square, longest point, not parallel. | 6 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 15 1/4" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Arched details Cut to an arch shape with a jigsaw. | 12 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Feet Both ends beveled 30° off square, longest point, not parallel. | 3 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 17" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Stretcher spacers | 6 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 5 1/2" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Center stretcher | 1 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 90 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top long rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 106" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top cross supports | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 10 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top seat boards | 6 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 47 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Pedestal blocks. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 9 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Long top rails — 106". Use 9-ft or 10-ft stock. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Beveled pedestal caps and feet. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x3, 4 ft (Whitewood) Stretcher spacers. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4 or 2x4, 8 ft (Whitewood/SPF) Top seat boards. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 2" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping wood screws, 2-1/2" and 3" | 30 each | ☐ |
| Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2" | 30 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 8 oz | ☐ |
| Felt floor pads | 6 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Brad nails, 2", Wood glue
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Miter Saw. Materials: 2x6, 8 ft, Brad nails, 2", Wood glue
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Jigsaw, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Brad nails, 2", Wood glue
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Miter Saw. Materials: 2x6, 8 ft, Brad nails, 2", Wood glue, Felt floor pads
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Self-tapping wood screws, 2-1/2" and 3"
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 9 ft, 1x4 or 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2", Wood glue
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Self-tapping wood screws, 2-1/2" and 3"
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.