How to Make Table Benches

Benches can be used in many different ways. Place one underneath a window and it becomes a window seat; a place to set plants and other decorations to dress up the window area of the room. Table benches can be made as inside tables or outside tables. There a number of different types of wood that work well for benches, including pine, spruce and oak. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place the two 2-by-6-by-48-inch pieces of lumber on a worktable and place them so the 48-inch sides are touching and they are even on the ends. These are the tops of the bench. Measure from one end and make a mark at 3 inches and one at 21 inches. Repeat this from the other end as well.

2

Place the framing square on the marks and draw a line across the width of the 2-by-6 lumber. Apply wood glue to the sides of the lines that are closest to the center of the bench.

3

Set one 2-by-2-by-11-inch piece of lumber on each of the lines. Secure them to the 2-by-6s with the 2-inch deck screws. These pieces help secure the legs in place. Next, apply glue on the side of the 2-by-2s that are closest to the center of the bench.

4

Stand two of the six pieces of 2-by-6-by-16-inch lumber on their ends and against the 2-by-2s. These are the legs of the bench and it takes two of them to make one leg. Secure the legs to the 2-by-2s on the ends of the bench by installing a screw through the leg pieces and into the 2-by-2s. The center leg pieces are installed between the 2-by-2s in the middle of the bench. Therefore, install the screws through the 2-by-2s and into the leg pieces.

5

Apply glue next to the legs on the ends of the bench so another 2-by-2 can be secured next to the legs. Place a 2-by-2 against the legs and secure it to the bench top first by installing screws through the 2-by-2 and into the bench tops (2-by-6-by-48-inch lumber). Next, install screws through the same 2-by-2, but this time install them into the legs.

6

Turn the bench upright. Drill countersink holes in the top of the bench over the legs. Install drywall screws through the countersink holes into the legs. This will strengthen the connection of the legs to the top of the bench. Apply a finish of your choice to prolong the life of the bench.