How to Build a Low Budget Wooden Bench

Construct the Bench’s Top

• 1

  Measure 4 feet on a 2-by-4 with a tape measure, and cut four 4-foot lengths with a compound miter saw.

• 2

  Line up the four 2-by-4s on the floor, side by side, with the top side facing down.

• 3

  Cut two more pieces of 2-by-4s, 15 inches long. While four of the 2-by-4s are supposed to measure 16 inches across when laid side-to-side, sometimes the width measurements are not exact, so subtracting an inch will compensate for any irregularities in the width of the bench.

• 4

  Lay these two 15-inch pieces flat on top and perpendicular to the four 2-by-4s on the floor. Position them at 1 foot in from the two sides.

• 5

  Screw the 15-inch pieces into the four 2-by-4s, making sure to screw two 3-inch screws into each one of them.

Add the Legs

• 6

  Subtract 2 inches from the desired height of the bench. For an 18-inch-high bench, use 16 inches for the legs.

• 7

  Cut eight pieces of 2-by-4, 16 inches long with a compound miter saw. Two pieces will be for each leg.

• 8

  Cut four pieces of 2-by-4, 4 inches long. These will connect the two parts of the legs together.

• 9

  Sandwich a 4-inch long 2-by-4 piece between two of the 16-inch leg pieces. Lay one 16-inch piece flat on a work surface, apply wood glue to one end of a 4-inch piece and stand it up with the glue side down on the 16-inch piece. Turn the leg piece on its side; screw through the leg and into the 4-inch piece. Lay it flat again and apply wood glue to the other end of the 4-inch piece. Lay another 16-inch leg piece on top of it, align it with the other leg and screw it into the 4-inch bridge piece. Complete this step for the other three legs.

• 10

  Stand a leg upside down. The bottom end of the leg measures 7 inches from the 4-inch bridge piece and the end.

• 11

  Apply wood glue on both sides of each end of the 15-inch 2-by-4s that are screwed to the underside of the bench top.

• 12

  Fit each leg over the sides of the ends of the 15-inch pieces, making the 15-inch piece parallel to the 4-inch bridge piece in the legs. Screw the legs into the 15-inch base piece on both sides of the legs.

• 13

  Allow the wood glue time to dry and set before turning the bench over for use.

• 14

  Sand the bench, and check that all the legs are level. They should be from the first measurements and cuts, but if they are not, mark and cut whichever one is too high with a saw.