Project DIYFarmhouse Bench

Farmhouse Bench Step by step

• STEP: 1

  Cut your premium pine (4) at 48" long.

  
• STEP: 2

  Cut your left over piece that measures 35" into 2 - 12.5" pieces which will end up being part of your bench leg. Tip: go ahead and mark the pieces with the size that they are becuase they will be painted later. Bow cut them each at a 10 degree angle but make sure to cut them so they are paralelle. 

  
• STEP: 3

  These are the boards you will need, how many and what length to cut them all. You are working with all 2" x 4" pine pieces.

  
• STEP: 4

  Take your jig and make pocket holes in your cross brace (12.5" board) to later put your screws in. Do this on both sides of the board so you can attach the legs. 

  
• STEP: 5

  Put your pocket holes on the bottom of the shelf boards (48" boards) on each end and then do the same with adding 3 pocket holes (one end, middle and beginning) of board to attache them to one another.

  
• STEP: 6

  Now we are going to assemble our bench top. Clamp down your first board (one with no pocket holes) and but up the first board next to it and drill the screws in the board attaching it to the first board. Tip: Do the two outside pocket holes first then the center one.

  
• STEP: 7

  Now take your 3 boards (at 35") you are using for the shelf and do the same thing but clamp one of the pocket hole boards and use the board with no pocket holes for the center as you attach both outside boards.

  
• STEP: 8

  Take your 4 legs and measure 3.5" up and make to marks so you have an even line. Take your middle piece (12.5) with angled sides and line it up with the marks you just made and screw them together.

  
• STEP: 9

  Do it on the other side as well and stand it up to make sure its nice and level.

  
• STEP: 10

  Now you are going to attach your base plate to the legs using 2.5" screws.

  
• STEP: 11

  Now you are going to attach your shelf to one of the legs. Lay the leg flat and take your shelf and lay it along the second tier and measure 3.25" in from each side to know where to center it. Use your pocket holes and screw in the two outside screws first and then your others. Repeat this with the other side legs as well.

  
• STEP: 12

  Now stand your bench up on a flat surface up high so its easier to sand. Take your orbital sander, not pressing to hard, and help glide the sander working your way from 80, 120 and then 220 grit. Tip: If you draw a picture or write on your wood with a pencil its a great way to know you have sanded an area enough and can move to the next grit. 

  
• STEP: 13

  Now take your Microzip and use that to get inside the edges and corners and go through the same grit process, 80-120-220 grit.

  
• STEP: 14

  Now choose a paint color and apply a nice even coat to your bench bottom. 

  
• STEP: 15

  Now we will sand the seat part of the bench on top and sides using 80-120-220 grit. 

  
• STEP: 16

  Now we can apply the stain. Take the staining pad and dip the corner into the stain and apply it to the cracks in between the boards first then the edges. Use the clean side of the sponge to wipe up any thick spots or runs. 

  
• STEP: 17

  Now that we are stained and painted and everythings dry, we are going to attach the two pieces. Turn your top upside down so your pocket holes are face up, then measure 3 inches in from the short sides and line the bottom up with the edge of your top piece. The holes for the screws are counter sunk so you can go ahead and screw it down connecting the top and base. 

  
• STEP: 18

  Now your Farmhouse Bench is Complete! Tip: Its always good to spray your project down with a coat of Polyurethane to help protect it