DIY Garden Bench for Less than $20
Gardening is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. But sometimes, it can be hard to find the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the view. That’s why a DIY garden bench is the perfect solution. With just a few materials and tools, you can make a garden bench that will last for years and cost less than $20.
Materials Needed
To make a garden bench, you will need the following materials:
• 2x4s – You will need two 8-foot 2x4s for the frame of the bench.
• Plywood – You will need one 4×8 sheet of 3/4-inch plywood for the seat and back of the bench.
• Screws – You will need 2-inch screws to attach the frame to the seat and back.
• Sandpaper – You will need sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the wood.
• Paint or Stain – You will need paint or stain to finish the bench.
Tools Needed
To make a garden bench, you will need the following tools:
• Saw – You will need a saw to cut the 2x4s and plywood to the desired size.
• Drill – You will need a drill to attach the frame to the seat and back.
• Sander – You will need a sander to smooth out the edges of the wood.
• Paintbrush – You will need a paintbrush to apply the paint or stain.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cut the 2x4s – Cut the two 8-foot 2x4s into four pieces that are each 4 feet long.
2. Assemble the frame – Use the 2x4s to assemble the frame of the bench. Use the 2-inch screws to attach the pieces together.
3. Cut the plywood – Cut the 4×8 sheet of plywood into two pieces that are each 4 feet long.
4. Attach the plywood – Use the 2-inch screws to attach the plywood to the frame of the bench.
5. Sand the edges – Use the sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the wood.
6. Paint or stain – Apply the paint or stain to the bench.
FAQs
Q: How long will this bench last?
A: With proper care and maintenance, this bench should last for many years.
Q: Can I use a different type of wood?
A: Yes, you can use a different type of wood, such as cedar or redwood, if you prefer.
Q: Can I use a different type of paint or stain?
A: Yes, you can use a different type of paint or stain, such as oil-based or water-based.
Yep California …called it after I listened to 3 secs and I knew to shut it down. Dude EVERYONE ELSE DOES NOT live in the idyllic dream generator of California…We have seasonal warmth, bugs, wind, low income, and a definate lack of perfection, with an emphasis on survival…can you do a Midwest version in under 3 minutes? Don't make the same mistake Bud Light did…asuming a huge following agrees with everything you think and experience. Thoughts?
Woodworking is my mental health therapy
18:00 Glue up the legs on one side at time. Turn the assembly 90 degrees to the way you show it on the video and slide it to the edge of your workbench. Clamp the centerpiece (leg assembly) vertically to the bench so it can't slide up when you tighten the clamps on the cross boards. Use the same procedure to glue the other leg assembly.
You might have better luck with clamping the angled pieces by cutting 10 deg shims and placing them so as to create parallel surfaces on opposite sides where the clamps go.
I’m so happy you’re doing more build videos. I made my very first box from watching one of your older box making videos and now I own a woodworking business. You’ve influenced a lot of people man.
I waited patiently to see if you would notice the pocket holes on the outside….This is one reason why this is my favorite woodworking channel. You make mistakes like everyone else and you don't hide it.
Well done. Your unique take with this video is to use regular speed to show how slow most of the process really is. For me, those slow, thoughtful moments in the workshop are the best.
Love that you show your mistakes
Glad I’m not the only one that makes mistakes
Love your wife’s garden. I’m always trying to eliminate any grass so maybe you or her should do a video!
Great project. Did you consider a brace across the middle under the bench slates?
Glad to see you back on here
And you teach weekend courses? I think I'll continue to appreciate your entertainment, it's a good thing I am fully aware of mistakes, but I do give you credit for your enthusiasm! You do have great ideas, just need to focus better, but who am I to judge!?!… I'll will continue to stay subscribed, have a great.
It's been said more than once, but at 13:30 or so I desperately wished for the ability to talk through the screen. "Steve….Steve…hey, look at the legs Steve," but again, many of us appreciate that you leave those sorts of things in because it reinforces the lesson that it happens to everyone and it doesn't mean the hobby isn't right for you.
All the more reason to make safety such an intentional part of the process, because it's one thing to glue a leg on backwards; it's another thing entirely to forget your eye protection "just once" or lose track of where your hands are in relation to a blade.
Hey Steve, Pat here from Toronto Can. Just wondering when was the last time you hooked your tape measure to your belt or carpenters pouch?? I have a tape like yours as well as several others and none have a belt clip on them. The first thing I do when I get them home is take the clip off. I never use it and it seems to be in the way, feels better in the hand too.
Would clamping the apron to the leg instead of the other apron work better and prevent it from slipping?
Thank you, Steve!
That turned out nice. I was surprised when I heard the theme song !! I missed hearing that bro
Sorry, I yelled at the screen, but it doesn’t work on you any better than hockey referees
We watched you screw it on backwards. Just refresh your setting glue with some new & it will be fine. I've been using Titebond 3 for the extra working time. As an old fart, I'm not in any hurry.
Thanks Steve, When you tried to clamp the stringers to the end pieces and the legs slide up. Could you not have using the pocket holes drilled put one screw each leg into the workbench to hold the Legs down? Then clamp the stringers to the leg. I saw the boo-boo with the legs, dang looked like me working. BTW I'm 75 and enjoying making sawdust.. You Rock!!!
Steve, I love this bench. I'm always excited when I see that you have posted a project video.
There's something about how you do your explanations that I find easy to follow.
Have a good weekend. Thanks for the video.
The music is so nostalgic for me after doing your Weekend Woodworker series! Quite comforting and relaxing!
Friendly tip from an old geezer. Whenever you have a project that has wood in contact with the ground, use a 50/50 mix of water and TB3 brushed on to the surface. I have had to reapply the mix every 3-5 years but I have yet had to replace any wood. Keep on rockin'.
Could screwed the legs down to the table with the pocket holes or used a board clamp it down
Bold move Cotton. Both at one time!! I love your build videos.
thanks. 👌
Always love your projects Steve. I'm definitely a "mortal" woodworker and I appreciate all of your insights and tips… I've put some water based spar varnish on some outdoor projects and it seems to be holding up well.
2×4's around me (NS, Canada) are probably THE WORST i have ever seen, its fucking disgusting what they are selling.
Waiting to see if he notices the pocket holes before he clamps it
Lovely quick fix to a problem. Nice.
I'm looking at the bottom of those legs, Steve. I hope that my findings will show that the angle of those bevels are the same, Steve.
😀
You could have fixed that length problem by splitting the slats two and run a vertical piece in the middle. It would certainly look interesting and would have saved a trip.
Another good build. Steve, have you ever thought about using Miller dowels for connecting the aprons to the legs?
Yes, Princess Meow-Meow's theme is back!
17:00 I wondering if that was an error or design feature!
Nice project Steve and looks nice. I do like that you include your little stuff ups and how you fix them, brings a genuine and realistic quality to your videos.
I kept screaming at the screen as you started apply glue when I noticed your "bigger problem". Guess watching you do it is easier than doing it myself 😅 The discovery garden is super nice, btw….
Great video Steve!
Love your build videos, thanks for posting this!!