How to Build a Five Board Primitive Bench

Cut a 17 1/4-inch long piece of the 12-inch wide board. This will be one of the sides for the bench. Use this side as a guide to cut a second side. Label the side pieces and set them aside for later use.

Cut a third piece of the 12-inch wide board, measuring 41 1/2 inches. This will be the top or seat of the bench. Label this top piece and set it aside to use later.

Cut two pieces of the 4-inch wide board, each measuring 41 1/2-inches long. These will be the side aprons for the bench. Sit both ends of each board on an angle to add a little detail to the bench.

Cut a 36-inch long piece of the 4-inch wide board. This is the center support for the bench. Label this piece to keep it separate from the side aprons.

Place one of the side boards in front of you vertically. Draw a small mark on the bottom of the board, 3 inches from the side. Repeat on the other side. Find the center location on the bottom of the board, trace up the center of the board and mark 5 1/2-inches from the bottom. Draw lines to connect the three lines to form a triangle. Cut the triangle out with a jigsaw. This forms the legs of the bench. Repeat with the other side board.

Place one of the side boards in front of you again, with legs on the bottom. Cut a 4-inch long-by-3/4-inch deep groove in the top two corners. Repeat on the opposite side piece. These grooves will form shelves for the aprons.

Set the two side boards up on their legs, 36-inches apart from each other. Place the center support board in between them so it stretches from one board to the other. Center the support along the top of the side boards, then screw it in place using two screws on each side.

Place one on the side aprons inside the grooves on one side of the bench. The angles on the ends of the aprons should be facing down. Center the board so that 2 inches are overhanging on each side, then screw into place. Use two screws on each side. Repeat with the remaining apron.

Place the bench top on top of the aprons and support. Adjust the top until it is flush with the sides of the aprons. Screw the seat in place on each side by screwing a screw through each of the aprons and the center support.

Sand all rough spots on the bench. Pay close attention to corners.

Fill any screw holes or cracks in the wood with wood filler. Allow the filler to dry, then paint the bench with a smooth coat of wood primer. After the primer has dried, paint the bench. More than one coat of paint may be needed.