How to Build a Bench

A bench is a comfortable place to sit and relax. There are a huge variety of shapes and designs for benches, and as many methods for building them. The instructions below will show you how to build a simple bench that should satisfy all your needs.

Required Materials

12 4”x8’ boards
galvanized screws
wood glue
finish nails

Required Tools

hammer
drill with bits
jigsaw
sander/sandpaper
tape measure
pencil/paper
clamps
router

Instructions on Building the Bench

Framing - Start by measuring and tack nailing the seat frame together. Before attaching the sides of the seat frame together, draw a curved line lengthways along the side pieces and then cut it out of the end pieces using your jigsaw. This will form the “seat shape” that you will sit on and can be shaped to your personal preference. Cut the seat slats, making sure outward facing boards are marked. Sand the seat slats. Screw the seat frame together and then use glue and finish nails to attach the slats to the frame (start from the back with a vertical .75-inch spacer board. Allow a little overhang of the slats over the front frame board.
Screwing - Pre-drill and countersink screw holes from the seat frame to the leg pieces. Attach the front leg to the seat frame with screws and glue. Repeat with the back leg.
Sanding - Round over sharp corners and sand everything.
Backrest - In this step, you will be building the backrest. Measure the top rail and include a 5/8” space from the top of the rail to the back of the rear leg. The bottom of the rail should have a space of 1/8” between the back of the leg and the rail. Bore and countersink screw holes. Now lay out the vertical back slats and router tenons on one end. Then gauge or router a corresponding groove into the top rail. The tenons should slide with a snug fit into the groove. Glue and nail the slats in place.
Armrests - Attach 3.5”x3/4”x3/4” cleats to the side of the front legs of the bench. They should align with the corner cleats of the front legs. Drill a 3/16” hole in the center of the cleat and attach through to the corner bracing. Measure your armrest out to the back of the rear vertical leg and several inches ahead of the front leg. Make a notch in the armrest to receive the rear backrest leg support. Drill and countersink a hole above the front cleat and through the armrest. Attach the armrest with screws and glue.
Sanding - Once the bench has been fitted together, round over the edges and sand all surfaces before staining or painting. This is an important overall step, as it will define the bench. An extra layer of sanding will go a long way to maintaining the bench’s beauty in the future.

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