The simple bench is one of the most comfortable pieces of outdoor furniture to sit on. This is why it’s the goal of many homeowners to have one set up in their own backyard or front lawn.
Although there is the option to buy one yourself, nothing beats the sheer joy of having to build a park bench, picnic bench, and even a swing bench made out of simple materials. And with the right tools and a woodworking plan, you can have one put up in your outdoors within a week or two.
1. Materials Needed
This project will require a drill, a saw, clamps, 10-12 mm bolts, and 90mm galvanized screws. However, if screws are unavailable or if you don’t have a working drill, you can opt for the standard hammer and 90mm flat-head nails. Also, have some wooden boards to spare in case you make mistakes along the building process.
2. Cutting Guide
First, cut out two pieces that are 22.3 inches long and 3 inches wide which will serve as the back legs. You can go for a curved cut with a miter saw if you the bench to have a little flair but just make sure that the width stays the same all through the piece.
The front two legs should be 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. For the three middle pieces, they should be 11.5 inches long and 3 inches wide. You will also have to cut two support pieces at 30 inches long for the legs. And finally, the seat should be 29.5 inches long. If you are making a swing bench, you can cut the length of the legs by 10 inches since the bench will be hovering from the ground.
3. Assembly
Clamp the back leg to one of the middle pieces on one side and the front leg on the other. Make sure that the middle piece overlaps both legs so you can nail or screw the parts in together. Do this for another set to form the other leg.
The next phase merely involves connecting the two halves together with the middle pieces at the top and the seat at the bottom. Use the bolts at each side of the middle pieces and seat to give the bench the sturdiness it needs.
After assembling the bench, you can then start on sanding down the rough edges especially the seat. This is also the time where you can start applying a coat of paint or wood finish on your finished bench.
Alternative: Swing Bench Assembly
The process of building a swing bench is similar to a standard bench albeit with the shorter legs. Once the main bench is complete, you must then attach swing hooks at the tops of the back and the bottom most edges of the seat.
Provided that you have already built a swing frame, the next part of the process will involve mounting the bench to the swing chains. After this, all that remains to be done is to make sure that the bench is sturdy enough for sitting and start accessorizing it.
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