Materials:
1" x 12" pine board for bench top
1" x 10" pine board for two bench legs
1 " x 6" pine board for two edge supports
hand, circular or jigsaw
sandpaper
nails
hammer
latex satin paint (discontinued - Uncle Sam's Blues 16-V-4)
stain in desired color
clean, lint-free rags
polyurethane brush
Steps:
- Yeah, I admit it, I cheated a little bit on this project. I went to my local lumber yard and asked them to cut my boards to size when I purchased them. My bench top (1 x 12) measured 42" in length, my 2 side supports (1 x 6) were 42" also, and the bench legs (1 x 10) were 17-1/4" long.
- To make the edge supports more attractive, I made angled cuts from the end to the side, cutting off both of the bottom corners of the supports. On the bench legs I cut an upside down V into the middle of the base to make it look like two feet . (Check out the photo. This is really hard to describe!)
- Now, before you begin to put the pieces together, sand them down.You may want to work extra hard on the edges of the top where your legs will rub.
- Let's get this thing together! First attach one of the edge pieces to the sides of the two legs, lining up the top edges, and insetting the legs to just inside your angled cut on the edge piece. Nail them together. Attach the other edge piece next . Center the top and attach it too.
- Using the Dutch Boy Latex Paint color you've chosen and a lint-free rag, wash the paint on the base. This means you dip into the paint with a rag, and rub the paint on your wood in the direction of the grain. If it seems to drag too much, add a little water to the paint. If you're going to stain the top, be very careful and don't get any paint on the top board.
- Using a brush or another lint-free rag, brush or wipe on the stain of your choice on the bench top (or seat). Once the stain is dry, you may add a polyurethane to protect it and make it more comfortable to sit on.
This project really is pretty easy. The only thing that would make it go a little easier is a few power tools. A circular saw for the cuts and a power hand sander for the sanding can really speed it up.
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