In this tutorial I will show you how to build a bench and a couple side tables. However, in the video tutorial I will only be building the bench. The tables are pretty self explanatory and I had no need for them at the moment so I did not include them in the video build. The bench utilizes pocket holes (Kreg Jig) to secure the slats with no visible screw heads. Don’t worry if you do not have a pocket hole jig. The slats can simply be screwed down from the top as well. I have included a picture near the end of this article to show you the bench without pocket holes. Also at the end of this article will be a downloadable plan, including my SketchUp file. To build one bench you will need the following materials:
- Eight 8′ 2x4s
- 24 2-1/2″ outdoor screws
- 21 2-1/2″ outdoor pocket hole screws (Kreg Blue-Kote)
- Outdoor wood glue (Tightbond III or any weatherproof construction adhesive)
Step 1:
The first step is to cut all of your pieces according to the materials list. You can make every cut with either a hand saw, circular saw, or in my case a miter saw.
With all the pieces cut, arrange them so that the good side is down. We will be building from the inside out to minimize the appearance of screw heads.
Step 2:
To further reduce the appearance of screw heads we can cut pocket holes with a Kreg Jig on the upper horizontal leg pieces (20″) and the back supports (31″). You can locate the pocket holes using the included diagram. Remember to flip the cuts for the left and right pieces so you don’t end up with two left legs. You can skip this step if are going to secure the slats from above with screws.
Step 3:
The legs are assembled with the horizontal members on top. Start with securing the 20″ piece to both legs first. When these pieces intersect they form a parallelogram. Be sure to put your 2-1/2″ outdoor screws along the long diagonal of this parallelogram as shown with this small image to the left (disregard the colors of this image). This will provide greater support. Use glue and two 2-1/2″ screws at every joint. Use another piece of 2×4 as a spacer to locate the lower horizontal member (23-3/4″).
Step 4:
Next, attach the back supports so that they intersect the top corner of the leg assembly and are flush with the bottom of the lower horizontal leg member. Make sure that you do not overlap any pocket hole locations and that all of the pocket holes face the the inside of the bench. Each overlapping parallelogram gets glue and two screws along the long diagonal. It is also important to make sure these are attached at the same angle. I always secure one all the way and start with one screw on the second assembly. This way I can place them on the ground and make a slight adjustment if needed. Then finish securing the second back support.
Step 5:
The 40″ seat stretcher is attached next. This piece connects both leg assemblies together. If you did not use pocket holes you can use two 2-1/2″ outdoor screws to attach directly into the lower part of the back supports. If you used pocket holes make sure you position the board so that the pocket holes are in the back.
Step 6:
I always attach the back seat slat first. Make sure the good side is visible on all of your slats. Push it all the way against the back supports and attach it with glue and screws. If you are using pocket hole screws like me this first slat will be a little tricky to secure. I had to lift the leg assembly slightly and use a 6″ extension for my drill to be able screw it down. The rest of the seat slats are secured the same way. I designed this bench so that you could use a standard wood pencil as a spacer in between slats. If you don’t have one handy, the gap is 1/4″ between slats.
Step 7:
The back slats are secured the same way. However, I always increase the spacing between the seat and the first back slat just slightly. I use a permanent marker for my first spacing here (about 1/2″). Then I use the pencil again to space the rest of the back slats. I think it just flows a little better this way.
Thats it for the bench. And here is the completed result. Nice an clean…
2×4 Side Table
In the video I only built a bench but here I want to include the instructions to build a couple side tables as well. These tables are very easy to make. You will need to use a pocket hole jig for this table. The table will go together pretty fast. Here’s what you need for each table:
- Two 8′ 2x4s
- 24 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws (Kreg Blue-Kote)
Step 1:
Cut all of your pieces according to the cutting diagram. To make the legs you will have to make two rip cuts with either a table saw or a circular saw.
Step 2:
Next, drill all of your pocket holes according to the included diagram.
Step 3:
Assemble the short side of the table first. It will be impossible to get a drill in here if you start with the long sides.
Step 4:
Connect both short sides by attaching the longer sides.
Step 5:
Lay your slats out with good side facing down and attach your frame to the slats. If you followed the pocket hole schedule you will use two pocket hole screws in each slat. You can add spacing if you like but I have never had a problem without a spacing.
Thats it. I hope you can make this project, with or without the tables. Here is an example of a set I made with the tables and without pocket hole screws. I secured the slats from above with regular outdoor screws.
Download The Plan
To download the plan click the following image. Although this plan is free to you remember that it isn’t free to produce. If you would like to show your thanks please consider using the donate button at the bottom of this page. If you liked this project and found it useful please share it so others can do so as well. Thanks for stopping by folks and have a great day!
great build jay as always those angle cuts what degree are those
15
Hey !!! One Great Bench, Thanks Mr. Jay Bates.
Fantastic work – I have a slew of salvaged 4′ 2×4’s, and a 13’x11′ firepit area to spruce up at the beach for our wedding reception in 2 weeks. You just made my life easy, and my in-laws even happier, ha! And to think they were going to burn all those 2×4’s….
Is there an easy way to add arms?
Jay, How much do you sell the benches for?
Materials + $10
You only charge $10 for your time and labor?! I take it you’re not subsisting on this?
I no longer make projects to sell. When I was making these I would batch them out for a local salesman. At that time I could average about 2 per hour, sometimes 3 if I had a large order. At the end of the day it’s just a 2×4 bench. It’s hard to make a killing with outdoor 2×4 furniture.
Hi Jay
Could some teenage boy scouts build several of these benches. What is your estimated time for boys with some adult guidance?
Sure they can! It would be a great project for boy scouts. I can build one in a half hour to an hour. I would say give them 2 hours to be safe.
I’m a novice woodworker Jay. Very glad I stumbled across your youtube videos. Great guidence. This bench will be a great start to my future woodshop. I’ve been building some hay feeder boxes for my horses, but this will give me another avenue to pursue. Thanks much !
Dreat plan, thanks.
Do you have the plan for the two connecting benches that fold in to make into a picnic table?
At this time I do not
I made the bench, table and chairs for my first ever woodworking project. They turned out great and my neighbor even bought them from me which wasn’t my intention but kinda cool. One thing I need some advice with is level the legs. Is there a system to doing this? Sometimes my chair legs don’t come out quite right and wobble a little. I cut one leg and then another hoping to get it right before I end up with a chair or bench that is two inches tall. I’m a total newbie. Does anyone have any advice?
Don’t take too much off. You only need to reduce the length of ONE leg of a four-legged structure to make it sit on all four legs equally. Choose the leg that seems to be bearing the most weight. You’re probably taking too much off at once.
You can do it this way. BUT, if you adjust a piece of furniture for uneven ground, as soon as you move the piece even slightly, it will wobble again. Better to put dirt, gravel or a wood shim under the leg that’s off the ground. This is usually the way people do it even for indoor furniture on a completely level floor.
Cut your first board and write “Pattern” on it. The next board you cut, lay it down on your table and place the pattern board right on top of it. Then take both ends and make sure they are tight together and gently rub your finger over the ends. They should fell as smooth as ever when you do this, this is how you can tell if the boards are aligned as close to perfect as you can get them before cutting. Once you have done these steps you’re ready to cut your board. Once you have cut board #2 take the board that has pattern written on it and repeat the steps until you have all of your boards cut. Here’s some great advice before you go cutting your “Money” lumber, cut a few scraps the same way, the same set up and mark the first board again as “Pattern” and get in the habit of doing that and almost all the time you will get as close to perfect cuts as you can get on cutting any board you put your hands on. This is what I do and I hope this helps you as well. Happy cutting!
Hi,
It’s quite hard to understand the inch system you write in.
> Eight 8′ 2x4s
does this mean 8-feet long boards, 2 by 4 inches thick?
I found the skp file, and things are much clearer now.
Hey Jay great job! As a previous viewer stated I would also like that bench with arms, just like the Swing Bench with legs, Im pretty Handy all around but with your easy to follow instructions I’m pretty sure I can do it. Also I’ve another doubt local hardware stores the treated lumber is very poor quality, mostly stored on moist locations and bent, would I’m better off using regular construction grade lumber and stained and finish it after built?
Hey Michael. I’m on my phone so I can’t post a link but for arms check out my horse bench tutorial. Combine whatever features you want from each.
I actually prefer to avoid treated lumber. Yes, you can use regular lumber and stain. I use thompsons tinted water sealer with good results. Remember that the #1 killer for outdoor furniture is water rotting the legs from below. As long as you get a good sealer on the bottom of the legs and keep it in a non muddy area it should last a long long time.
great design. very easy to understand video and plans. thank you. keep it up.
Do you know how to make a folding adirondack lawn chair?
I do not have any plans for one at the moment. Sorry.
Awesome and thanks. My parents are in their 80’s and I am going to build a bench and a couple of tables for them. I look forward to your articles.
If you want a bench with arms, cut your legs at 25″ instead of 17. Use jays example on how he builds his chairs, use those arms for your bench.
Thank You my mother loved her bench /Users/billwarmus/Downloads/IMG_20140328_154843.jpg
Hi,
just built yourmockup using your measurements and they are off. I think your numbers are not the bottom but the tops of the boards. for others who may try in the future. had to tweek a bit but I have a close working model of what you designed
Please verify your measurements. Thousands of these benches have been made according to the diagrams with no problems. There are no top and bottom measurements when cutting according to the cutting diagram. They are all longest side measurements.
Jay, would it be possible to add a set of rockers to the bench to turn it into a rocking love seat
Yes. I’ve wanted to do that forever but just haven’t gotten around to it. My thoughts would be to make the back legs lower so you lean a little more back and then add the rockers. Let me know how it works out for ya.
Jay, do u have a recommendation for the rockers? Size. Length. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
I honestly have no clue. It’s more of an experimental thing.
hey. i have a question what are the angles for this bench i have no clue where to find them or how to get them. if you could tell me i would greatly appreciate it
thanks
Do you have a plan for a longer bench? Five or six foot. Love the bench, just need it longer. thanks!
Thanks for the great free plan. My mother-in-law had planted a memorial apple tree last year for her late husband. It unfortunately lacked a comfortable place to sit where they chose to plant it. This bench (made from his recycled wood) made her cry while giving me a great big hug. Thanks from us both.
https://plus.google.com/111202271634620160664/posts/ak51MCDMTRa
That’s awesome news Allen. I’m glad you found it useful :)
This was my first woodworking project, and it turned out great – thanks for the plans!
http://instagram.com/p/tgUjrvqpkB/
I’d expect your how-tos would be well received on instructables.com.
Looks great man!
Thanks Jay! About 6 years ago I built a cappuccino table and appreciate how much mathematics is involved! This was a very easy build for an unskilled craftsman like myself and allows for a double of goofs without needing to start over. I can’t afford to make pocket holes so I subset my screws from the top and that worked great for me. I think I’ll blog about this and post your link! awesome possum.
http://www.freddythunder.com/blog_images/1415574667image.jpg
Looks good Freddy!
Thank you very much. I built these today and boy do they look great! Just awesome. : )
Very cool George. Glad you like them.
in the cut list you mention that all angles are 15 degrees or 90 degrees. I’m pretty sure that what you meant was 75 degrees or 90 degrees.
A 75 degree or a 15 degree cut are the same depending on where you measure from. When you are using a miter saw you set the angle to 15 degrees on the miter saw gauge. So yes, it’s a 15 degree cut…which is also a 75 degree cut.
Thanks mate very nice. I had a good time making this bench for my first project. I live in Australia and all our sizes and measurements are different but I made it happen anyway. Thanks again.
My 9 year old grandson built the bench as his first ever wood project. It took him 3 hours plus stain and varnish time and he did all the marking, cutting and screws by himself. I did make sure he did it safely and helped hold the pieces. It turned out great and this week, he will build the end tables. Great plans! Thanks