This project is by Jay Bates, a skilled woodworker who has been crafting and selling this particular style of bench for over four years.
This DIY project not only allows you to enhance your outdoor space but also offers a potential income opportunity if you choose to sell the benches you build.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before starting your bench project, ensure you have all the necessary materials. For this bench, you will need:
- Eight 8′ 2x4s
- About a pound of 2-1/2″ outdoor screws
- Some 2-1/2″ outdoor pocket hole screws (optional, for securing slats from below)
These materials are affordable, making this project budget-friendly at around $30. Once you have everything on hand, you’re ready to move to the next step.
Step 2: Cut Your Pieces
Now that you have your materials, the next step is to cut all your pieces according to the cutting diagram. You can use various saws for this task, including:
- Jigsaw
- Circular saw
- Hand saw
- Miter saw (as used by Jay)
Ensure that you make precise cuts to maintain the quality and stability of your bench.
Step 3: Prepare for Assembly
Before you begin assembling the bench, arrange all of your pieces with the good side facing down. This arrangement will ensure a clean finish on the visible parts of your bench.
Step 4: Drill Pocket Holes
Next, use a pocket hole jig to drill all of your pocket holes according to the pocket hole schedule. This step is crucial for attaching the seat and back slats, providing a clean look without visible screws. If you do not have a pocket hole jig, you can attach the slats from above using regular outdoor screws.
Step 5: Assemble the Leg Frames
When assembling your leg frames, you will form a parallelogram shape where the pieces intersect. It’s essential to place two screws along the long diagonal of the parallelogram instead of the short diagonal. This method significantly enhances the stability of your bench and prevents movement.
Use wood glue and two screws at each intersection to secure the pieces. To facilitate the assembly, a scrap piece of 2×4 can be used as a spacer for the horizontal members.
Step 6: Attach the Back Support
The back support should be attached to both horizontal pieces of the leg assemblies. It intersects at the top back corner and should be flush with the bottom of the lower horizontal member. Again, use glue and two screws along the long diagonal of each intersecting parallelogram.
Make sure the angles of both back supports are the same. To achieve this, secure the second back support with just one screw for adjustment. Once both assemblies are together, make any necessary adjustments before fully securing the second back support.
Step 7: Connect the Leg Assemblies
Use a 40″ board to connect both leg assemblies at the base of the back supports. If you used pocket holes, ensure that you attach it with the pocket holes facing the back. If you didn’t use pocket holes, you can simply screw from the front into each of the back supports.
Step 8: Attach the Seat Slats
Start by attaching the back seat slat first using wood glue and screws. If you used pocket holes, you may need a drill extension for this first seat slat. If you didn’t use pocket holes, you can screw from the top with two outdoor screws on each side.
When it comes to spacing the slats, ensure that the spacing between each slat is 1/4″. You can use a 1/4″ drill bit or a standard wood pencil to help with this measurement. It’s often visually appealing to space the first back slat slightly more than 1/4″ above the seat slats. A regular Sharpie (which is about 1/2″) can help achieve this look.
Step 9: Complete the Back Slats
Continue attaching the remaining back slats using glue and screws, maintaining a consistent 1/4″ spacing for each. This will ensure a neat and professional appearance for your bench.
Step 10: Final Touches
Once all slats are attached, review your bench for any loose screws or areas that need extra glue. This simple design is not only strong but also comfortable, perfect for outdoor use.
Now that you’ve completed your bench, you have the option to build more for your yard or to sell them for a profit. This project is straightforward and offers a great way to practice woodworking skills while creating something functional.
Conclusion
In summary, this easy bench design by Jay Bates is an excellent project for both beginners and seasoned woodworkers. Not only does it provide a practical outdoor seating solution, but it also gives you the chance to earn some extra cash if you decide to sell your creations. Don’t forget to check Jay’s website for a free set of plans and other project ideas.