Today I have the bench plans to match the straight leg farmhouse table I shared yesterday. Following the same basic concept as the table, the bench is so easy to build too! It ends up being about 61 inches long, 14 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
Supplies:
1 - 4x4 @ 6'
4 - 2x4 @ 8' (plus a small piece of scrap wood, about 7-10". If you don't have one lying around, ask at the hardware store, they might have a chunk they can give you!)
2 1/2 inch screws
wood glue
finishing supplies
Tools:
Saw
Kreg Jig
Cut list:
4 - 4x4 @ 16.5" (legs)
2 - 2x4 @ 52 (side stretchers)
2 - 2x4 @ 5" (end stretchers)
4 - 2x4 @ 7" (supports)*
4 - 2x4 @ 54" (top)
2 - 2x4 @ 14" (breadboard ends)*
*Measure to fit!
Measure and cut all your pieces. This is when I do a basic sanding job, because it makes it a little easier to get to all the hard to reach places. I make sure to sand any markings or gashes down with a 80-120 grit sandpaper. It also gives me a good idea of the flaws in my lumber, so I can hide them on the inside.
Also, sanding is my VERY least favorite part of every project, but it's so important! It makes it a lot easier for me to do a really good job if I break it up. I do a basic job with 80-120 grit sandpaper when I have all my boards cut, and then sand a few times while building. Obviously, I still have to do a final job with 220-320 grit paper, but it makes the end go faster!
Drill two holes on each end of your supports using the 1 1/2 inch setting on your Kreg Jig. Use 2 1/2 inch screws and wood glue to attach your stretchers to your legs, centering them in the middle of the leg.
Do this for all four stretchers, creating your base.
Then, doing the same with your supports, drill your holes and then attach the supports to your side stretchers.
Lay your table top out and mark where you will drill your holes. I put two into each end of each board, and then screwed them into the breadboard end using 2 1/2 inch screws and glue.
Finish sanding your top and your base. Here's a picture of it all ready to put together! Since I was staining the top and painting the legs, I didn't put mine together quite yet!
I then painted the base of my bench black and stained my top!
Gorgeous finish! :) How neat that you sand before, during, and after. That takes commitment! Sometimes I don't sand at all, but I'm learning that sanding makes all the difference. Did you do something in particular to stain the edges darker beside multiple coats?
ReplyDeleteI too am interested to learn how you stained your wood that color. It's GORGEOUS! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies! I just posted about how I finished the table. You can find it at http://www.autumnostlund.com/2013/09/golden-pecan-dark-walnut-farmhouse.html. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteHow did you attach the top the the base?
ReplyDeleteLooks nice now - but the execution of the breadboard ends is totally wrong. You've left no room for movement and judging by the sizes of the growth rings on that cheap 2x4 means it will definitely become a problem later. If it hasn't already
ReplyDeleteLooks nice now - but the execution of the breadboard ends is totally wrong. You've left no room for movement and judging by the sizes of the growth rings on that cheap 2x4 means it will definitely become a problem later. If it hasn't already
ReplyDeleteI really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Would like to see some other posts on the same subject! Thank you.
ReplyDelete