How do I Construct Deck Furniture?

Decide what kind of outdoor furniture you want to build. Understand that while there is a slight difference between chairs and tables, for example, the overall principles of building each piece of furniture are relatively the same. Realize that your best option is to purchase extra materials, so you have room to change things if you want to make a particular piece larger. Purchasing an additional 15 percent is a good starting point.

A bench is a good piece to start with. Begin by making the legs for a bench. Measure four pieces of the 4-by-4 material to a length of 12 and ½ inches, and mark with the pencil and carpenter's square. Cut the material with the circular saw. Measure and cut eight of the 2-by-4 pieces at 18 inches in length. Mark the ends of the brace pieces to slant outward at a 30 degree angle and cut accordingly with the circular saw, on both ends of the pieces.

Place a pair of braces on a flat surface, on edge, with their long sides down. Place a 4-by-4 leg piece between the braces so that the outside edge of the 4-by-4 is flush with the top corner of the slanted brace section, and clamp it together using a C-clamp. Drill a pair of holes through each leg and brace joint, and then insert one of the 7 inch long bolts. Thread a washer and lock nut into place and tighten with the wrench. Repeat the process on the opposite end of the legs.

Brace the overall structure by cutting a 2-by-4 stretcher piece to however long you want your bench to be. Drill holes at either end of the 2-by-4 to use for mounting on the legs. Set the legs across from each other at opposite ends of the brace and lay it across the bottom section, centered between the legs so that the ends of the length are resting on the inside bottom leg braces. Mark the leg braces through the pre-drilled holes in the stretcher piece, and then drill holes completely through the leg braces and use a 5 inch long bolt on each end to lock everything in place.

Cut more 2-by-4 material down to the length of your bench and set them on edge across the top section of your legs. Understand that you can cut the pieces long if you wish, so that the edges extend past the legs, or you can cut them off flush. Use the hammer and nails to toenail the pieces onto the top of the legs, spacing the 2-by-4s apart evenly, or roughly 1 inch apart. Cap the ends with a length of 2-by-4 cut to fit, and nail it on each end.

Sand the entire structure with the sanding block and cover with stain or wood preservative. Allow a minimum of 24 hours for drying time before using the furniture.