If you’re looking to master building benches, a simple traditional bench is a good starting point. You’ll also learn how to make a modern one and how to convert existing benches into ones with an antique look down below.
Traditional bench
Materials you need:
2×4 wood, 8 feet long (10pcs)
2×6 wood, 6 feet long (1pc)
1 1/2 screws
Wood glue
Tape measure
Milter saw
Jigsaw
Drill
Stain
Cut list:
Seat frame – 2×4
60 inches long (2pcs)
56 inches long (1pc)
18 inches long (2pcs)
Legs – 2×4,
Front – 24 inches long (2pcs)
Back – 36 inches long (2pcs)
Leg support – 21 inches long (2pcs)
Middle support – 55 inches long (1pc)
Seat slats- 2×4
60 inches long (5 pcs)
Back slats
2×6 – 60 inches long (1pc)
2×4 – 23 inches long (7pcs)
Introductions:
1. Make the seat support. Cut the wood with the edges at an angle to make them fit, then lay the two 60″ wood parallel to each other. Connect the shorter 18” pieces at each end of the longer pieces with screws, then secure in the 56″ wood in the middle, placing its edges in the center of each short piece.
2. Drill pilot holes to the front and back legs. Attach the legs, allowing the front legs to overlap about five to six inches above the seat support. Make sure the wide side of the legs is placed on the edge of the longer side of the seat support. Connect the 21″ leg support to each pair of front and back leg. Then, attach the middle support, screwing its edges to the center of each leg support.
3. Fill in the seat support with the seat slats. Place equal gaps between them, preferably 1/4”, before securing them on the seat support with screws.
4. Attach the 24″ arm support to the edge of the overlapping front leg and secure the other edge horizontally to the back leg. Repeat for the other arm support.
5. Cut the 2×6 wood into a 5 ½” thick slab. Screw it in place with the back legs as support. Use glue for added strength. Fill in the back slats, positioning them vertically so one edge of a slat touches the top slab and the other to the seat frame. Measure the placement beforehand so you can leave equal gaps between each slat. Secure them in place using screws and wood glue.
6. Curve or flatten every harsh line with a jigsaw, particularly the arm support and top slat. Use fine-grit sandpaper to smoothen the wood afterwards. Fill holes with wood filler and let dry, then paint or stain the bench with your color of choice.
Modern bench
Materials you need:
2×4 wood
Wood glue
Wood filler
Milter saw
Belt sander
Cut list:
Bench
18 inches (8pcs)
14.75 inches (2pcs)
Legs
82 inches (2pcs)
75.5 inches (7pcs)
1. Cut the wood with a miter saw according to the listed sizes. Using wood glue and screws, attach all the bench pieces together, placing the shortest cuts on the outermost parts. Make sure there are equal spaces on each side of the shorter piece.
2. Do the same for the legs, but place the longest cuts on the outermost sides.
3. Securely clamp the pieces while drying to make the end result as seamless as possible. Fill any gaps with wood filler. Let dry.
4. Attach the legs to the bench using wood glue and screws. Flatten edges with belt sander and finish off with either stain, paint or coating.
Making an Antique Bench
If you want to give an antique look to an existing bench, here’s how:
Materials you need:
A modern or traditional bench
Sandpaper
Rags
Paint
Paint brush
Stain
Polyurethane
Instructions:
1. Sand the surface of the bench. Thoroughly sand if it’s been previously painted, otherwise, just smoothen the wood. Clean with a cloth.
2. Paint the bench with your color of choice. When fully dry, rub with sandpaper. Focus on the edges, where the paint usually chips off first. Wipe with a cloth to remove residues.
3. Apply one coat of stain, making sure to spread it in one sweeping motion. Wipe off excess with a cloth and let dry. Finish with a coating of polyurethane.
Please Share This Article 🙂
