How to build a park bench

This step by step diy article is how to build a park bench. In this project we show you the basic carpentry techniques required, along with the materials and tools needed to get the job done as a professional. A park bench without a back support is a simple project that can be done by any amateur handyman, but it would enhance the look of your garden. It is essential to use materials designed for outdoor use, such as cedar, redwood or pressure-treated. In addition, fill the head of the bolts with wood putty, or install metal caps, in case you want to disassemble the bench. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

In order to build a park bench, you need the following:

Materials

4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 15″ LEGS
4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 14 1/2″ CROSSPIECES
1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 40″ STRETCHER
8 pieces 2×2 lumber – 41 1/2″ SLATS
2 pieces of 2×3 lumber – 41 1/2″, 2 pieces – 17 1/2″ TRIMS
Carriage bolts, 3” screws, decking screws

1 piece of 2×3 lumber – 10 ft
2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jig saw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits
Router and 1/4 bit

Tips

Smooth the edges of the wooden boards, with a router
Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
Countersink the head of the screws
Align the components before locking them into place
Don’t use lumber that is likely to crack or shrink
Don’t over-tighten the screws to prevent the wood from splitting

Time

One day

Building a Bench

Park Bench Components

After you buy the lumber (redwood, cedar or pressure-treated), you should cut the components, using the information you can see in the image. Use a miter saw with a sharp blade, otherwise the cut edges might not look professional. Nevertheless, before assembling the components together, you should smooth the edges with a sander.

Installing the crosspieces

First of all, you have to attach the crosspieces to the wooden legs, as you can see in the image. Leave 1 1/2” between the wooden posts, as to be able to install the 2×4 stretcher later on. In addition, you should work on a horizontal surface and you have to plumb the supports, before inserting the carriage screws.

Drill several pilot holes in the lumber, using a drill machinery, to prevent the wood from splitting.

Installing the stretcher

Continue the woodworking project by setting the stretcher into place. Cut the component from 2×4 lumber and lock into place with 3” screws. In order to get the job done as a professional, we recommend you to pre-drill the lumber and to insert the screws at angle.

Don’t forget that you have to plumb the legs of the park bench before locking the components together with nails / screws.

Installing the seat slats

Afterwards, you should place the 2×2 slats over the supports and to align them at both ends. Drill several pilot holes tough the boards and drive in galvanized decking screws.

In order to obtain a professional result, you should place the slats equally spaced, leaving about 1/4” between them. Sand the edges of the wooden boards before attaching them into place, by using a sander or a router.

Installing the trims

One of the last steps of the project is to install the trims, in order to hide the ends of the slats. You could use 2×3 or 1×4 lumber, therefore you should choose the option that best fits your needs and tastes.

How to build a park bench

Fill the gaps with wood putty and leave it to harden for several hours. Afterwards, sand the wooden surface with a sander along the wood grain and remove the dust and the residues with a clean cloth. Make sure you buy varnish resistant to water and ultraviolet rays, otherwise you would have to paint the bench every year.

Thank you for reading our article about how to build a park bench and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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