DIY Wood Dinner Table and Benches

Benches

• 1

  Shape two pieces 1-by-3-by-62-inch lumber and two pieces of 1-by-3-by-12-inch lumber into a rectangle frame. The ends of the 12-inch planks should abut the sides of the 62-inch planks to construct 90-degree corners on the frame. This will be the apron frame that sits on the underside of the bench.

• 2

  Drill two countersunk pilot holes, sized for 1 1/2-inch wood screws, through each of the corner joins of the apron frame, then secure the frame together with 1 1/2-inch screws. Lay the frame flat on a work surface.

• 3

  Insert five pieces of 1-by-2-by-12-inch lumber, evenly spaced, along the frame. These are support planks for the bench top. Push the support planks until they are flush with the bottom of the apron frame, then secure each support plank with a 1 1/2-inch screw through the outside of the apron frame into each end of the five planks.

• 4

  Insert four pieces of 4-by-4-by-18-inch lumber upright into each corner of the apron frame and push them down so they are flush with the bottom of the frame. These are the bench legs.

• 5

  Drill four countersunk pilot holes, sized for 2 1/2-inch lag bolts, through each side of the apron frame into each leg, so that there are eight holes per leg. Secure the legs in place with 2 1/2-inch lag bolts.

• 6

  Place two lengths of 1-by-7-by-72-inch lumber flat on the work surface, side by side and with the best side face down. These will be the bench top. Sit the apron frame on top of the bench top planks with the support planks and the tops of the legs sitting flush on top of the underside of the bench top planks.

• 7

  Position the frame so that the sides of the apron frame are flush with the edges of the bench top planks-- there will be 5 inches overlap on each end. Secure the bench top planks to the apron frame with six countersunk 1 1/2-inch screws through the five support planks into the bench top planks.

• 8

  Turn the bench over, so that the bench top planks are on top and the whole unit is standing on the legs. Finish with the wood finish of your choice. Repeat so you have two identical benches for either side of the table.

Dinner Table

• 9

  Make an apron frame like you did for the benches out of two planks of 1-by-3-by-62-inch lumber and two planks of 1-by-3-by-24-inch lumber. Secure five support planks of 1-by-2-by-24-inch lumber across the apron frame like you did for the benches as well.

• 10

  Insert four pieces of 4-by-4-by-30-inch lumber for the table legs into the corners of the apron frame and attach with lag bolts as you did with the benches.

• 11

  Lay three planks of 1-by-12-by-72-inch lumber side by side on a work surface to form the table top, which will be 36-by-72 inches. Place the apron frame centered on top of the table top planks and secure the table top to the frame and support planks like you did when attaching the bench top planks.

• 12

  Turn the table over so that it is standing on its legs and finish with the same wood finish as the benches.