How to Build a Single Bench

Single benches are commonly used as seating in front of pianos, vanity tables and at the narrow ends of dining room tables. A single bench will cost you well over $100. Building your own single bench will significantly decrease this price, requiring only that you purchase your materials and use your own tools.

Instructions

1

Lay the large 1 -inch by 12-inch by 24-inch wood plank onto the floor of your work space and apply wood glue in a 4-inch square at each corner of the piece. Set the ends of the bench leg pieces onto the glue spots and hold into place for approximately five minutes while the glue dries.

2

Apply glue to one narrow -inch thick edge and both 3-inch ends of the 16-inch long wood planks and set into the long sides of the bench, between the bench legs. Allow the glue to dry and repeat this for the open spaces at the narrow ends of the bench, with the two -inch thick by 4-inch long by 3-inch wide wooden planks.

3

Cut 45-degree angles into the ends of the four 5-inch long by 2-inch wide by 1/3-inch thick wood pieces and four 3-inch long by 2-inch wide by 1/3-inch thick wood pieces. The 45-degree angles should point in opposite directions.

4

Set the 5-inch long, angled end pieces into the corners of the upturned bench. Glue the pieces into place with angled edges flush against the 16-inch long and 4-inch long plank pieces between the bench legs. Allow the glue to dry, then drive the -inch nails through the piece and into the 16-inch and 4-inch long pieces along the top edge of the bench. Drive nails through the center of the 5-inch pieces and into the leg pieces of the bench.

5

Glue the angled edges of the 3-inch long pieces to the large plank that makes up the bench top and to the 5-inch angled pieces attached to each corner of the benchs underside. Drive the -inch nails into the ends of this 3-inch piece and into the 5-inch pieces and bench top piece. Turn the bench upright onto its legs.