Homemade Table & Benches

Table

• 1

  Sand all the lumber for the table. This includes four planks of 2-by-4 lumber 28 inches long for the table legs, two 37-inch planks for the side aprons of the table, two 33-inch planks for the end aprons of the table, one 25-inch plank for the central support and six planks of 1-by-5 decking 50 inches long.

• 2

  Measure along the wide side of each end apron, making a mark 4 inches from each end, and cut a housing half an inch deep and 1 1/2 inches wide using a router.

• 3

  Position two leg pieces on their narrow edge lengthwise on a work surface and fit the housing cut on one of the end aprons over the end of each leg so that the end apron sits flush with the end of the legs.

• 4

  Drive two 2 1/2-inch wood screws through each housing into the table legs to secure the apron. Repeat with the remaining two legs and the remaining end apron.

• 5

  Stand the legs upright with the end aprons facing away from each other and position the two side aprons between the two sets of legs. They should be flush with the top of the legs and the ends of the end aprons.

• 6

  Drive four wood screws (2 1/2-inch) through the ends of the side aprons into each leg to form the frame of the table. Slide the central support in between the side aprons on center and attach with two wood screws through the side aprons into the central support's abutting ends.

• 7

  Place the decking on top of the table frame with about a quarter-inch between each piece, parallel with the side aprons. Attach with two 2-inch deck screws through each piece in three places: the two end aprons and the central support plank.

Benches

• 8

  Sand all the lumber for the benches. This includes six planks of 2-by-6 lumber 48 inches long for the bench tops, eight 2-by-4 planks 18 inches long for the leg braces and eight planks of 2-by-8 lumber 20 inches long for the bench legs.

• 9

  Lay two leg pieces flat on the work surface, then place a bench leg brace over the top of them. Adjust the legs so that the tops are flush with the top of the brace and the sides are flush with the ends of the brace. Secure the brace to the legs with two wood screws driven through the brace into each leg. Turn over and attach a second brace parallel with the first.

• 10

  Repeat with the remaining braces and leg pieces so that you have four sets of legs sandwiched between braces.

• 11

  Stand two of the leg sets up with the braces on the top of the legs, 40 inches apart. Center three of the bench-top pieces on top of the legs with 1 inch between each board. Secure the bench-top planks to the legs with two lag bolts (and accompanying washers) driven through each plank into the leg braces. Repeat with the remaining two leg sets and three bench top planks so you have two benches.