RUSTIC-WIDE GARDEN BENCH

Make it Monday is a little late this week but I finally got around to finishing up some instructions for this and couldn’t wait until next Monday to share.
I keep meaning to learn to use a sketch up program but haven’t committed yet to sitting down and doing it so I apologize for my “photo” plans, I have carefully worked on wording the instructions and hope they are easy to follow.
Supply list
3 inch deck screws
2.5 inch deck screws
3 2x4x8
4 1x4x8
2.5 inch finishing nails for the top planks (I used 1.5 and they are a little loose, I plan on redoing them with 2.5 )
CUT LIST
Cut 2 2×4 @ 19inches end pieces
Cut 4 2×4 @ 17inches legs
Cut 2 2×4 @ 41inches front and back
Cut 6 1×4 @ 47 inches top slates
Don’t put your saw and wood away yet you will need to measure and cut 2×4 pieces in step 1 and 3
STEP 1
Create a box with the end and front /back pieces (placing the front and back pieces on the inside and screwing through the end pieces into the fronts and backs, using 2 screws one at the top one at the bottom. ( 3 inch screws here)
Ignore the legs seen in the picture, I get ahead of myself when building and planning to share instructions, I’m working on getting better at it I promise lol.

Now measure the inside of the box and cut a 2×4 piece for a middle brace (should be roughly 16 inches) if you can, angle screw it onto the middle of the box inside, if you can’t go ahead and screw from the outside in or use L brackets to screw it together on the inside- I honestly just recently got comfortable enough to do angle drilling. This photo was taken after it was done, ahead of myself again with no progress photos, sorry

STEP 2
Once your box is built and the middle brace is on, lay the legs on the outside of the end pieces and screw using 3 screws ( see photo) in a triangle pattern, this will prevent hitting the screws already in it. (3 inch screws here)
The photo shows the bench upright, to assemble the legs do it “upside down” so the legs will be facing up, a second set of hands will help too.

STEP 3
Now you need to measure the space between the legs on both ends and cut a 2×4 to fit in it, screw from the inside using 2 screws (2.5 inch screws here)

Step 4
If you want a two toned bench like mine you should paint the base now and the slates for the top before assembling.
To assemble just simply lay down your cut 1×4 pieces ( should be no spaces but the front and back slat will hang over slightly) on the top and nail down, don’t forget a few nails into the middle brace as well.

I used behr outdoor paint in a dark grey and behr semi-transparent outdoor stain
This project was made so we could have a place to sit in front of our fire pit deck (propane fueled, best things ever) to play fetch with our dog. I have some scrap 6×6 wood hubby salvaged from his parents shed tear down and will be creating 2 faux floral arrangements to sit on here. Check back soon for that post as well as how I used more things pulled from the rubble.

SHARED AT THESE LINK PARTIES
PIN JUNKIE
MAD IN CRAFTS
DIY SHOW OFF
LIFE AND LINDA