How to Build an Easy Garden Bench for Less than $30
Do you love the idea of relaxing in your garden, but don’t have any comfortable seating? Are you short on tools or limited on space to store them? Look no further than this simple garden bench that can be built for less than $30 using just a saw and drill. In this article, we’ll break down the steps to make your own garden bench, along with some tips and tricks to make the process even easier.
Materials Needed:
– Four 2x4s
– Six 1×3 strips of wood
– Wood glue
– Pocket hole screws
– Deck stain (optional)
Tools Needed:
– Saw (circular saw or hand saw)
– Drill
– Clamps (optional)
– Nail gun (optional)
Step 1: Measure and Cut the Side Pieces
Using a saw, cut four pieces of 2x4s to the desired length for the side pieces of the garden bench. In the video tutorial, these pieces are 13 inches long each. If you don’t have a miter saw, you can easily make these cuts using a circular saw and ensuring that they are square. If you do have a miter saw, use it to make the cuts quickly and precisely.
Step 2: Cut the Seat and Back Support Pieces
Next, cut two pieces of 2×4 to the desired length for the front and back rails of the garden bench. In the tutorial, these pieces are 45 inches long each. To make it easier to clamp the pieces together for drilling, clamp them together with a specifically designed jig called a Square Cut. This jig can calibrate the cut distance between the blade and edge in advance, making it easy to make quick cuts.
Step 3: Join the Side and Seat Support Pieces
Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, join the cut side pieces and seat support pieces together. Make sure that they are flush to each other and that the marks made on the seat support pieces are the same height on both sides. The drill can be used to make pocket holes that will hold the pieces together.
Step 4: Attach the Armrest
Cut a piece of 2×4 to the desired length for the armrest on one side of the garden bench. In the tutorial, this piece is cut to 24 inches long. Ensure that the armrest is flush with the top of the side supports and then attach it securely using glue and pocket hole screws.
Step 5: Attach the Back Support Pieces
Measure and mark the angle for the back support pieces on the back of the garden bench. In the tutorial, the angle is about a nine-degree angle from one side of the 2×4 to the other side. Cut the desired number of 1×3 strips of wood for the back, then glue and attach them to the back supports using pocket hole screws.
Step 6: Add the Seat Slats
To create the seat of the garden bench, use a scrap piece of wood as a spacer between the seat support pieces and attach 1×3 slats of wood to create a flat and comfortable seating surface. Space the slats evenly and attach them to each cross brace with glue and nails.
Step 7: Apply Stain (Optional)
If you want to add a pop of color or protect your garden bench from the elements, you can apply a deck stain or paint. In the video tutorial, an opaque solid color deck stain was used, but you can choose any color or finish that you prefer.
Enter to Win Cool Tools!
Now that you know how to build your own garden bench, why not enter a contest to win some great tools from Craig Tools? They have generously provided prizes for a video contest to showcase your woodworking skills. Check out the video linked in the tutorial for details on how to enter and win some of their amazing tools.
Conclusion
Building your own garden bench doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few tools and some basic materials, you can create a comfortable seating area to enjoy the beauty of your backyard or garden. Follow these easy steps and you’ll have your own garden bench in no time. Don’t forget to enter the Craig Tools contest for a chance to take your woodworking skills to the next level!