How to Build a Trestle Bench

Trestle benches are typically used alongside dining tables and provide an eating area with a communal, country vibe. They are not limited to use as a dining trestle and can easily add charm to a living room wall, or the entrance of a mudroom or porch. You can easily knock up a trestle bench in a couple of hours, and a set of them over a weekend.

2 planks 2-by-10 lumber, 17 inches
1 plank 1-by-8 lumber, 60 inches
Measuring tape
Band saw
2 planks 2-by-4 lumber, 12 inches
Wood glue
3-inch wood screws
2-inch wood screws
1 plank 2-by-12 lumber, 72 inches
Sandpaper
Wood finish
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Measure in 4 1/2 inches from one short edge of a 17-inch-long plank of 2-by-10 and mark a 4-inch-long line perpendicular to the edge of the wood. Repeat from the other side of the wood, so that you have marked out an area that is 4 inches long and 1 inch thick in the center of the 10-inch side of the plank. Repeat on a second 17-inch-long plank of 2-by-10 lumber. These are the legs of the trestle table.
- 2
  Measure in 6 inches from each end of a plank of 1-by-8 lumber that is 60 inches long and make a 4-inch-long line perpendicular to the edge. Mark a second line 2 inches in from the first. This is the trestle bench undercarriage.
- 3
  Cut out between the marked lines on the legs and the undercarriage with a band saw. You will have a 1-by-4 inch slot in the top of each leg, and a 2-by-4 inch slot 6 inches in from either end of the undercarriage. The slots mate so that the undercarriage will sit flush between the two legs. Don't fit them together yet.
- 4
  Stand the legs slot-side down on a work surface. Bead a line of glue onto the bottom of the legs, then center a piece of 12-inch-long 2-by-4 over each leg end for the feet of the trestle bench; they will help stabilize the bench. Drive three countersunk 3-inch screws through the bottom of the feet into the ends of the legs.
- 5
  Invert the legs so they are resting on the feet. Apply glue to the slots in the legs and undercarriage, then mate the slots on the legs with the slots on the undercarriage. Push the slots together so that the top of the undercarriage is level with the top of the legs.
- 6
  Toe screw (screw at a 45-degree angle) the legs and undercarriage together using 2-inch wood screws, four in each side of the legs.
- 7
  Place a plank of 2-by-12 lumber that is 72 inches long flat on the work surface, the side you want to be the top of the bench facing down. Place the leg and undercarriage unit upside down on top of the bench top and center it.
- 8
  Glue the legs and undercarriage to the underside of the bench top, then tow screw along the undercarriage and the legs every 4 to 5 inches to secure them to the bench top.
- 9
  Sand the trestle bench before finishing it as desired with wood finish.

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How to Make a Dining Bench

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