Wooden Bench
Free plans for building a wooden bench
These wooden bench plans were designed to make good use of leftover material from a deck or patio cover project. The dimensions of this deck bench is 36 inches long, 20 1/2 inches wide, and 18 1/2 inches high. Of course, you can adjust the dimensions of these plans to suit your needs, and then purchase the materials to build it.
The width of this bench is 20 1/2 inches wide so that three 2x6s will fit inside the bench framing with a little spacing between the boards. This assumes that you are using milled lumber, where a 2x6 is actually 1 5/8 inches thick by 5 5/8 inches wide.
Here's the math: If the width of the framing is 1 5/8 inches and the outside dimension is 20 1/2 inches, then the inside dimension will be 3 1/4 inches less, making it 17 1/4 inches.
Three 2x6s (with an actual width of 5 5/8 inches) added together is 16 7/8 inches. When you subtract the combined width of these three planks from the inside dimension of the bench frame (17 1/4 inches), you get 3/8 of an inch. This is the total room you will have for spacing and attaching the 2x6 seat boards (performed in a later step).
Wooden Bench - Assembly
Cut the 4 legs of the deck bench @ 16 7/8 inches long, and notch one end of each leg as shown in the diagram below. If you are using a circular saw, you can set the depth of the blade to 1 5/8 inches and cut straight through on two sides of the leg.
To complete the leg cuts, you will need to use a jigsaw, or a handsaw, or a chisel, to remove the last bit of wood, since the circular blade won't quite finish the cut.
Cut the four pieces of the frame, with a 45° bevel at each end. Assemble the 4 pieces together using 3-inch galvanized deck screws. Once assembled, attach the four legs using 3-inch deck screws. (see below)
Once the four legs have been attached, flip the deck bench over upright and attach the three 2x4 framing members using 3-inch galvanized deck screws.
Cut the three 2x6 boards for the bench seat. It is best to measure the actual opening to get the length of these boards. It should be approximately 32 3/4 inches.
Place the three boards inside the bench framing and space them evenly apart. Once the spacing has been determined, secure each bench seat board to the 2x4 framing with two 3-inch galvanized deck screws at each end and two into the center support.
Material List
- 2x6 - 2 @ 10 feet
- 4x4 - 1 @ 6 feet
- 2x4 - 1 @ 6 feet
- 3-inch deck screws (approximately 55)
Choosing Lumber
I have built this bench using Western Red Cedar and Redwood, but you can build it from any material. The nominal dimensions of materials vary by species. Be sure to check the actual dimensions of the lumber you choose, before cutting any wood mentioned in these wooden bench plans.
The best way to preserve your new bench is to seal it with a stain/sealer of your choice. I have used different brands and don't really have a preference.
If you have any questions or comments about this wooden bench, please contact us.
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