DIY Network

Build a Beautiful Backyard Bench

By Theresa Colement and Mark Clement

Photo 1

Leave your mark on your next big party, or carve out a little quiet place in the back yard with our Benchmark Backyard Bench (Photo 1).

Built basic with 2x12 and 2x4 lumber, it has graceful lines and can stand up to the weather while you sit in the shade.

Materials and tools
Like most of our projects, this one is scaleable; you can make it pretty much any size you want within reason. Ours, however, settles in at 5 feet long. It takes a 2x12x12 and 2x4x8 along with some deck screws and finish to put together. A router eases the bench top's edges and makes a comfy seat.

Photo 2

There are six angle cuts required for the legs and struts; the slide compound miter saw we used made cutting them a snap. If you don't have one, you can get similar results using a circular saw. We like deck screws for putting this puppy together. (See Photo 2 for all of the pieces cut and ready to assemble.)

Bench top
Determine the bench top length and cut to size from the 2x12x12.

Photo 3

For some nice detail, clip a 45-degree miter off each corner of the bench top. (Photo 3)

Photo 4

Select a router bit and rout a nice edge on the bench top. (Photo 4) Before routing, check each side of the board for its nicest side. That's the side you'll want facing up. Note: You can wait until the bench is finished to rout the edges of the top.

Photo 5

Legs
The magic number for the legs is 12, which is the angle we splay them at and cut the strut.

Cut a 12-degree angle in your 2x12 stock. (Photo 5) If you're using a circular saw, I suggest using a speed square to guide the saw straight across the board.

From the short end, measure 16 inches and make a mark.

Cut the second 12 degree angle. Note: Your piece should look like a parallelogram when you look at it from the side.

Cut the second leg. Be careful to make each leg as identical as possible.

Photo 6

Strut
Cut a 12-degree angle on each end of the 2x4. Our strut is 4 feet long for a 5-foot bench top. Note: These angles are not parallel like the legs, but what we call "opposing" angles. (Photo 6)

Assembly
Mark the location of one leg and square a line across. Our legs are 4-1/2 inches in from each edge of the bench top.

Tip the bench top and one leg on their sides on a flat surface, and fasten them together with three deck screws through the top of the bench.

Install the strut in the center of the leg/bench bottom by fastening through the leg. (Photo 9)

Install the second leg.

Sink four screws through the bench top into the strut. (Photo 10)

Photo 7

Photo 8

Finish
The sky is the limit on finish. We rubbed our benches down with boiled linseed oil to bring out the luster in the wood, but you can have your kids go to town painting it or paint your own design. If you want a really primo finish, do your sanding before applying paint.

And once the Benchmark Backyard Bench is complete, take a seat. You've earned it.

Mark Clement is a remodeler and author of The Carpenter's Notebook and The Kid's Carpenter's Workbook, Fun Family Projects! Find out more at www.TheCarpentersNotebook.com.

Theresa Coleman is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in residential construction and DIY topics. She is the author of Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement, Black & Decker Complete Guide to Shelves & Built-Ins and the Build It! card game.