How to Build a Benchtop

Determine how long and wide you want the benchtop to be. It should be wide enough to provide a comfortable seating surface and the length should fit the area where you intend to use it.

Use a circular saw to cut a piece of wood that is equal to the dimensions determined in Step 1. Set the piece of wood on a flat surface.

Attach rough-grit sandpaper to an orbital sander. Sand all of the edges of the piece of wood to smooth them.

Attach medium-grit sandpaper to an orbital sander. Sand over the entire surface of the piece of wood. Work with the grain of the wood. Flip the wood over and sand the other side.

Use the orbital sander and fine-grit sandpaper, and go over the entire surface of the wood again to create a smooth surface.

Vacuum the surface of the wood to remove sawdust. Wipe down the wood with a tack cloth to remove any remaining sawdust.

Apply a polyurethane finish to the top wood with a paintbrush. Start at one of the edges of the wood and work with the grain. Allow the finish to dry for 12 hours.

Flip the wood over. Apply polyurethane finish to the opposite side of the wood, following the instructions in Step 7. Allow the finish to dry for 12 hours.

Apply finish to the edges of the wood and allow it to dry for 12 hours.

Put a second coat of finish on each of the sides and edges of the wood.