How to Make an Octagon Step Bench

Draw an octagon on the plywood using a pencil, yard stick and protractor. Each of the side lengths should be 30 inches. The angle at which two sides meet should always be 135 degrees.

Measure the 1-by-4-inch lumber so that you can cut it into 16 pieces of 30-inch lengths each. Mark each section with the pencil. Leave room between the borders of each 30-inch section, because the saw will shave off some wood length.

Cut the plywood and 1-by-4-inch lumber along the the lines you marked. Cut slowly and verify you stay on the lines, especially if you use a power saw.

Use the protractor and pencil to mark a 67.5-degree angle on both ends of each of the 16 pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber. Verify that the angles are placed to go in the opposite direction so that after you cut, one side will be longer than the other.

Cut along the angles you marked on each piece of 1-by-4-inch lumber. Arrange the cut pieces along the octagonal plywood piece to verify they fit along the borders.

Glue eight of the angled 1-by-4-inch pieces along the borders of the octagonal plywood using the wood glue. Glue one piece at a time so that you can glue the angles to one another as well. Clamp each piece to the plywood until the glue dries.

Repeat the gluing process to secure the other eight pieces to the borders on the other side of the octagonal plywood piece. Clamp these as well until they dry. You will need clamps long enough to reach the top of the other 1-by-4-inch borders, since those are already attached.

Measure and cut four pieces of 1-by-4-inch lumber at 1-foot lengths. Measure and cut four pieces at 2-foot lengths and one piece at a 3-foot length.

Screw the 3 1/2-inch flat side of one 2-foot length to the flat side of the 3-foot length at one end to make a 90-degree angle. Then do the same with the other 2-foot length to make a 90-degree angle in the opposite direction. You will end up with a T shape.

Screw the flat side of one 2-foot section to the width of the 3-foot section at the same end where you attached the other 2-foot sections. Repeat to attach the final 2-foot length to the opposite side. You now have the leg of the plant bench, which looks vaguely like a lowercase t.

Screw the other end of the bench leg to the center of the octagonal plywood piece. Screw a 1-foot length of 1-by-4-inch lumber to the plywood base so that the 3 1/2-inch surface lies flat against the plywood and the 1-foot side is flush with the bench leg.

Place the other two 1-foot lengths flush against the shorter sides of the leg. They will rest beneath the first two 1-foot lengths once the bench is turned right side up. Screw the second set of 1-foot lengths into the first set. This will secure the leg and prevent it from wobbling.