How to Build a Wooden Bench for a Kitchen Table

Build the Basic Structure

• 1

  Apply glue to the end of one of the short 2 x 12 bench legs, and butt it against the bottom of the long 2 x 12 bench seat so that there are 4 inches between the leg and the end of the bench. Drive three nails through the top of the bench seat and into the end of the bench leg.

• 2

  Repeat Step 2 with the other bench leg on the other end of the bench seat.

• 3

  Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. This completes the basic structure of the bench.

Prepare the Seat Reinforcements

• 4

  Lay one 1 x 4 on a flat surface. Pick one corner, and measure 4 inches from that corner along the long edge of the board. Mark this point with the pencil.

• 5

  Measure 2 inches from the same corner along the short edge of the board, and mark this point also.

• 6

  Draw a line connecting the two points. Cut the triangular shape from the board.

• 7

  Move to the other end of the 1 x 4. Use the corner on the same long edge of the board, and repeat the first three steps. When finished, your 1 x 4 will have one long straight edge and one edge with a triangular piece cut from each end.

• 8

  Repeat all four steps with the other 1 x 4. This completes the two bench seat reinforcements.

Final Assembly

• 9

  Lay the bench structure on one side. Spread a layer of glue along the full length of the edge of the seat and along the legs where they connect to the bench.

• 10

  Position one of the 1 x 4s on the layer of glue. The long straight edge of the 1 x 4 should be level with the top of the bench seat, the ends of the 1 x 4 should be even with the ends of the seat, and the corners on the bottom edges of the 1 x 4 should align with the edge of the bench legs.

• 11

  Attach the 1 x 4 to the bench using 27 nails. Drive one nail through it into the seat at each end, and one nail through it into each leg; these four nails will keep it in place. Drive the remaining 23 nails through the 1 x 4 and into the seat at roughly 4-inch intervals. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth.

• 12

  Turn the bench over and repeat these steps with the other 1 x 4.

• 13

  Set all the nailheads just below the surface of the wood, and fill the holes with wood putty.

• 14

  After all the glue and putty is dry, sand the bench lightly. Finish as desired.

• 15

  Add the four furniture glides to the bottoms of the legs, and your bench is complete.