Ryan Willoughby from The Will To Make has created a fantastic woodworking project that showcases how to build an easy accent bench. It’s beginner-friendly and can be completed in no time. Below is a detailed guide that outlines every step of the process, along with the materials and tools needed.
Materials Needed:
- Old wooden shelves
- Wood glue
- Golden oak stain
- Semi-gloss polyurethane
Tools Required:
- Circular saw
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Planer
- Jointer
- Router
- Sander
- Pocket hole jig
- Clamps
- Drill
- Measuring tape
Step 1: Prepare the Boards
Ryan started by pulling out some old shelves from his house. He cut off the ends of each board where there were some pegs. After that, he ran each board through the planer to clean off the old stain and flatten each board at the jointer.
Step 2: Shape the Boards
Next, Ryan ripped the boards down on the table saw to create two parallel sides for the top of the bench. He decided to cut the boards at a 45-degree angle rather than straight across. He cut one edge at 45 degrees, measured down the board, and cut another 45-degree angle. He repeated this for about five boards.
Step 3: Assemble the Top
Once the top was laid out, he marked for pocket hole screws and drilled the holes. After drilling, he assembled the top using wood glue and pocket hole screws. Once the glue was set, he squared off the edges with a miter saw.
Step 4: Flatten the Top
After the top had dried, Ryan removed the pocket hole screws and used a sled to run it through the planer to ensure one flat surface. He then flipped it over and planed the other side. To lighten the appearance of the top, he routed a large chamfer on the bottom.
Step 5: Add Comfort to the Top
While the router was out, he rounded over the top edges to make it more comfortable for sitting. After sanding the top, starting with 120 grit and finishing with 220 grit, he set it aside to work on the legs.
Step 6: Prepare the Legs
For the legs, Ryan ripped the remaining shelves down into three one-and-a-half-inch strips. He then cut four legs, four smaller pieces to connect the legs, and one longer piece to join the two leg assemblies together.
Step 7: Assemble the Legs
After cutting all the pieces, he laid them out to mark for pocket hole screws and drilled the holes. He then added glue, clamped the legs together, and secured them with pocket hole screws. The same process was repeated for the other set of legs.
Step 8: Final Assembly
Ryan marked the center of the leg assemblies, added glue to the middle piece, and clamped it down. After flipping the entire assembly over, he added pocket hole screws to secure it. Once the clamps were removed, he sanded the legs again, starting with 120 grit and finishing with 220 grit.
Step 9: Attach the Legs to the Top
The legs were then attached to the top by centering them and adding screws. Ryan added glue to this joint for additional stability. After flipping the bench over, he checked to ensure it wouldn’t rock on the ground.
Step 10: Staining and Finishing
With assistance from his daughter, Ryan stained the whole bench using golden oak stain. After the stain dried, he applied multiple coats of semi-gloss polyurethane, sanding with 220 grit in between coats.
Final Thoughts
Ryan was very pleased with how the bench turned out, especially the angled top. This project is an excellent way to create a simple yet beautiful piece of furniture for any space. If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying woodworking project, this accent bench is a great choice!
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