Introduction:
A potting bench is an essential tool for any gardener. It is a great addition to your outdoor space, a heavy-duty bench with 2×4 construction and 4×4 legs. The bottom shelf is made low in order to accommodate for bins that hold your potting soil. The top shelf is very strong and sturdy and is made with 2x2x4s and 1x4s. The table top and bottom shelf are covered with deck boards. In this article, we will take you through the process of building this potting bench with detailed instructions and insights that will make the job easier.
Preparation:
The first step in any timber project is to gather your materials. For this project we will be using pressure-treated lumber, however, you may use any other lumber that works well in your area. You will need three 5/4×6″x10’s, two 5/4×6″x8’s, three 2x4x12′, one 2x4x8′, one 1x4x10′, one 1x4x8′ and two 4x4x8’s. The screws used will be coated screws, one pound of three inch screws and one pound of 2-inch screws. You will also need a circular saw, drill and an orbital sander.
Building the Frame:
To build the potting bench, start by cutting all the necessary parts and pieces. Begin with the 2x4s and remember to cut your longest boards first. Cut four boards at 58 inches to make the front board for the upper shelf, the back board, the front board for the tabletop, and the backboard. Next, cut the 2×4 bottom shelf, one for the front and one for the back, with a 45-degree cut. This cut should measure 55 inches.
You will need to make two side boards for the bottom shelf. Cut these to 23 and a half inches and angled at 45 degrees. The next cut you will make is for the side boards of the tabletop. Cut three 2x4s at 23 and a half inches each; these are straight cuts, not angled.
For the top shelf, cut three 2x4s at 7 inches long. The pieces for the top shelf are all one by fours. All three should be cut to five feet long or sixty inches. You need 5/4×6 decking boards for the table top and bottom shelf. Cut this to five feet or sixty inches, you will need five boards in total. Finally, you will need to cut your 4x4s. Cut the back legs to forty-eight inches or four feet long. Cut the front legs to thirty-five inches.
Pre-Drilling Holes:
Once all the timber pieces have been cut, it is time to pre-drill