In this article we will tell you how to make wooden ones yourself using ordinary lumber and simple power tools. garden benches. We offer three original project various levels complexity, each of which has its own design expressiveness and high functionality. This outdoor furniture will decorate any garden or cottage, and is guaranteed to be worth the time and effort invested in it.
This wooden bench Originally designed for outdoor use, it will also look great inside your home if desired. To make it you will not need phenomenal carpentry skills and complex instrument. Cutting and assembling the parts with your own hands will take up to noon, and another couple of hours will be spent finishing the product.
The design is based on simple lap-to-edge joinery and screw ties. You won't need to work with glue or cut out complex spikes and nests. At the same time, all components are durable and hold loads well, making the bench as reliable as possible in operation. Thanks to its light weight, it is easy to carry, which once again proves its indispensability for the garden and dacha.
Drawing of bench parts with dimensions
Overall dimensions of parts, mm:
- leg element (4 pcs.) – 38x165x440;
- leg (1 pc.) – 38x178x1143;
- crossbar (2 pcs.) – 38x76x419;
- seat strips (3 pcs.) – 38x 165x 1219.
According to the dimensions indicated in the diagram, cut out the elements of the legs (4 pcs.). The accuracy of the cuts is critical here, otherwise problems with the assembly of the structure or its stability may occur. To optimize the work process, sidewall elements can be produced serially: lay the boards in a stack and saw them in one pass.
Following the dimensions in the drawing, make two crossbars. In the edge of each of them, cut a groove for connection with the leg. Make a series of cuts on the saw table, remove the waste part and carefully clean the finished groove (photo 3).
Prepare the grooves on the leg in the same way. They should be well fitted and fit tightly with the grooves of the crossbars. The lap-to-edge connection will provide a strong transverse connection of the elements and allow the garden bench to withstand heavy loads.
Using a jigsaw, make a curved cut on the leg. To mark it accurately and symmetrically, use a flexible wooden slats, fixed at the edges with clamps, and a nail driven in the center, as shown in photo 4.
To tie the base, use screws or self-tapping screws. If you are making a bench from hardwood, it is better to drill pilot holes for the fasteners.
Cut the seat strips according to the dimensions indicated in the drawing and drill holes for fasteners. Use a cone cutter to chamfer the edges of the parts. Using self-tapping screws, secure the strips to the base, placing them at intervals of 19 mm. Smooth any exposed sharp edges with sandpaper.
Cover the recesses of the screws with wooden plugs
Moisture collecting in the recesses of fasteners significantly accelerates the destruction of wood. Simple and effective solution in the form of wooden plugs will not only extend the service life of your street bench, but will add appeal to a wooden seat.
Using a plug drill, drill out 16 wood plugs from the remaining scraps. Please ensure that the color and texture of the corks matches the seat slats. Glue the plugs into the pre-cut holes using D3 or D4 glue. Allow the glue to dry completely, then cut off the protruding parts of the corks and sand them flush with the surface. As a result, the metal fastener heads will be reliably isolated from external influences.
The second project is a stylish and beautiful bench, designed to the utmost laconic design. Thanks to the massive base and the stacked seat made of bars, the product looks solid and modern.
Wooden spacers between the beams provide clearances for water drainage and make the bench well suited for outdoor use. If desired, the seat can be given a slight curved shape: a soft arc will not only add design expressiveness to the bench, but will also prevent the accumulation of rainwater on the surface of the beams.
This garden bench is easy to make and will not be difficult to make yourself. The project uses two types of connections: a glued assembly on a plug-in tenon and simple screw ties. They will ensure a strong connection between the elements and prepare country furniture to all outdoor tests.
Joinery knots on a tenon. In this connection, sockets are created in both parts, and the tenon is a separate wooden insert. From a technological point of view, the manufacture of such a connection is much simpler, and the likelihood of errors and errors that lead to distortions and poor fit is reduced. When used, the strength characteristics of the insert tenon are in no way inferior to the classic tenon-socket connection.
Drawing of a wooden bench with dimensions
According to the dimensions indicated in the diagram, prepare 11 seat slats. It is important that each of them has the same shape and as much as possible flat surface. Before assembling the seat, decide on the front edges in advance. Take a close look at the wood and position the pieces so that the edges with the nicer grain are on the outside.
Cut and sand 30 square spacers measuring 40x3mm. Make precise markings on the bars and drill holes for the iron rod. For convenience and accuracy, drill holes serially, placing several beams in a stack at once. On the outside of the outer beams, a counterbore is made - a recess in which the coupling nut will be hidden.
The seat elements are assembled on three metal rods. Prepare in advance three stainless steel rods with threads cut at the ends. Sequentially assemble the seat bars onto the rods, not forgetting to install wooden spacers. Tighten the assembled structure with nuts and washers.
Based on the dimensions indicated in the drawing, cut out all the elements of the base: legs, upper crossbars, legs and spacer.
Mark the legs and cut a groove for the spacer to fit into. For precise work, use a saw table with a grooved blade.
In the legs, upper crossbars and prongs, mill out sockets for the insert tenon, measuring 8x22x40 mm. Cut the insert tenons to similar sizes. Before gluing, perform dry assembly and evaluate.
Apply glue to all sidewall nodes and tighten the structure with clamps.
After the sides have dried, complete the base assembly by installing the spacer. One self-tapping screw on each side will be enough to ensure that the spacer is securely fixed in the groove of the prongs.
Attaching the seat to the base
Center the base on the inverted seat. Cut according to the dimensions indicated in the diagram. mounting strip and drill guide holes in its edges. Screw the mounting strip to the side, then connect it to the bench seat.
Bench with backrest with tongue-and-groove joints
The next project is a street wooden bench with backrest. She is quite strict appearance and will become a functional decoration in any garden or country house. The vertical slats of the back give the massive structure visual lightness. Curved armrests and curved top bar add Japanese motifs in a strict classic look. It is simply created for carefree contemplation on shady alleys, and will look even more expressive surrounded by greenery and flowers.
If in the previous two projects we talked about how to make benches using simple carpentry joints, then here we will talk about the classic tenon-socket connection. It underlies everything structural elements project. You will have to make a lot of spikes and nests, so it is advisable to think about optimizing this process in advance. The simplest and most affordable option is to use hand router and a saw table.
Advice! For accurate and quick selection of slots, use a homemade milling template with slots of the required sizes.
Drawing of a bench with a wooden back
Prepare the details
According to the dimensions specified in the drawing, make the main parts of the bench. To quickly apply markings, use pre-prepared templates. Duplicate parts can be mass produced. After cutting, fasten all the identical parts into a pack and process their ends with a sander, this will significantly speed up the work process.
Make spikes
On the saw table, form tenons on all tenon pieces, following the dimensions from the diagram. Using a groove disc will make this job much easier. This can be done just as neatly as usual. saw blade followed by trimming the waste with a chisel, as shown in the photo.
Mill out the sockets
Assemble the sidewall
Perform dry assembly of the sidewall. If the connections in the structure are not tight enough, fine-tune them using one of the methods we discussed in the article “”.
Carry out sequential gluing of the structure
After checking the accuracy of the fit of the connections of the entire bench, proceed to sequential gluing of the base elements first, and then the back. After completely dry glue, attach the seat strips with self-tapping screws.
With the coming summer season hardworking summer residents rush to the garden. Over the cold months, so much work has accumulated that, perhaps, it is impossible to find such a corner in the country house or in the garden where the maximum investment of the gardener’s strength and energy is not required. Weed here, dig there, water here... Of course, with such an intense load, sometimes you want to sit down for a while and rest. And a garden bench is the simplest solution.
Garden bench - design object of the garden
In addition to their direct purpose, garden benches today can safely be called a real design object and the main attribute of a good rest in the country or in the garden.
IN last years The focus of spending time at the dacha has noticeably changed. If previously the vast majority of gardeners worked hard on their 6 acres to feed themselves and their families, now everyone more people They prefer to go to the dacha precisely in order to relax. That is why the role of the design component has increased country holiday. The influence of comfort and aesthetic pleasure from admiring the landscape has expanded. And garden benches, as one of the types of small architectural forms, do an excellent job as a decorative artist.
It must be said that attention began to be paid to the importance of designing benches back in the Renaissance. Already in those days, the best palace architects gave the most simple and familiar shops exquisite forms. And garden benches gradually ceased to be just an object for respite, but turned into a full-fledged design object, which is part of a large, beautiful garden.
In order for the recreation area or dining area to emphasize the unique image of your garden, it is important to arrange garden benches correctly, taking into account the surrounding landscape, topography and general style plot.
Garden Bench Styles
The style of garden benches directly depends on the style of the house. As a rule, benches appear in a garden where there is already a main building. Which means style orientation is already present.
- For a classic garden, benches made of wood with carvings are suitable. forged metal and stone benches with stucco elements.
- For a country-style garden, benches made of brutal wood with deliberately rough shapes are suitable.
- A Japanese or Chinese garden will be decorated with bamboo garden benches.
- The English style of the garden is emphasized by combined benches - a metal base and a wooden seat.
- Metal benches with beautiful, complex curves will look good in a French garden.
- In the garden natural style Benches made of stumps and rough boards would be appropriate.
- Unusual benches in the shape of a cat or horse (made of wood or forging) will decorate the garden in a vintage style.
Garden benches are an excellent tool for zoning an area in landscape design. With their help, you can mark the boundaries of a recreation area or garden room, the beginning or end of a green corridor, etc. The garden may include a terrace, dining area, reception area, swimming pool, playground and other functional areas. In order for each of them not only to be comfortable, but also to stand out visually, parts of the garden are usually zoned. And garden benches, as one of the types of small architectural forms, cope with this task perfectly.
By functional purpose benches can be divided into:
They are usually placed at the entrance to the house. Therefore, the design and material of the front bench should match the exterior of the main house. For example, if next to entrance group present forged elements(for example, a canopy over the entrance, window bars or a flower stand), then a forged bench will look more harmonious. It is wiser to choose the style of all forged products in advance. Strictly following the canons garden design, in all forged garden products (from the fence to the trellises) a single pattern should be traced. Therefore, everything is thought out at the design stage.
Dining garden benches. As a rule, such benches are part of a single dining group, which means they must match the design and material of the table. Such benches are placed in the barbecue area, in gazebos, on terraces or in those places where the family likes to dine. This area can look formal and serve as a kind of platform for receiving guests. Or maybe it’s simple and cozy at home. It is in such corners that quiet family gatherings and tea parties take place.
Garden benches for relaxation. These benches are located in places where it is pleasant to retire and relax. This could be a secluded corner in the garden or an area in front of a pond. But the specific location of the bench in a given area has its own nuances. When placed correctly, the viewing angle reveals the most attractive and beautiful view plot. In addition, the bench or bench itself becomes a decoration of the garden and an integral part of the landscape.
I must say that benches for rest include another subgroup that is worth highlighting separately. These are the so-called relaxation benches. They are intended for the most secluded corners, away from any irritants and observers. You can even lie down on such a bench-bench if you wish. Soft pillows with your favorite tune, auto-training or croaking frogs will help you relax as much as possible during the summer heat.
Such small benches are located next to a vegetable garden, flower bed or flower beds. The name speaks for itself. You can use them to relax a little while working in the country. There are no special requirements for the design of garden benches. They can be of the simplest form, without decorative frills.
In addition, garden benches come stationary And mobile. The type, material and design of stationary benches are selected more carefully, since they are located in the garden for a long period, and form (including) the final image of the garden.
Main advantage folding benches is their mobility. Folding benches are indispensable for small gardens. They unfold quickly and easily and weigh little. The design of these benches is very durable. And although with design garden plot folding benches may not be compatible at all, but one cannot help but admit the fact of their convenience.
As for the external design, benches can be with or without a back, with or without armrests, as well as with drawers in which it is convenient to store some necessary things.
A bench is considered comfortable if:
- Seat width – 50-55 cm
- Seat height from the ground – 40-50 cm
- Back height - 40-50 cm
- Back tilt - 15-45 degrees
- The height of the armrests from the seat is 15-20 cm
Material for garden benches
Garden benches are traditionally made of wood, stone, metal, wicker and plastic. The choice of material depends on both personal preferences and the exterior of the garden. IN Lately during production garden furniture materials are combined (for example, wood in combination with artistic forging), which makes it possible to most accurately capture the stylistic direction.
Correctly selected furniture always becomes a real decoration of the garden. Otherwise (for example, a super modern plastic garden bench) will look out of place next to a farmhouse style home.
Wood– the most popular material for making benches. At all times, the tree looked both beautiful and modern. Harmlessness and durability are the main criteria for choosing this material.
The most durable type of wood is teak. It was this material that was used in the construction of ships. Therefore, for open spaces with constant exposure external factors It is better to buy teak garden benches. With proper care, they will serve you for many years. Alternative options– oak, pine, larch, hazel.
Even deliberate roughness looks original and stylish.
Metal. The popularity of metal garden benches is understandable. Metal products are practical, durable and, with proper care, resistant to precipitation. This group includes elegant forged benches, light aluminum and heavy cast iron. Each of these types has a number of advantages and is suitable for its own tasks.
Aluminum, contrary to popular belief, is a very durable material. It does not require special care and is not subject to corrosion. Aluminum garden benches retain their original appearance for a very long time, and thanks to their varied designs they are suitable for different recreation areas.
Cast iron garden benches. To this day, some parks still have ancient cast iron benches made more than a hundred years ago. This is a very durable, heavy and quite expensive material. Modern cast iron benches are available with various tinting and anti-corrosion impregnations, which can significantly increase their service life. Such benches - perfect option for parks, squares and large gardens.
This refers to products made from steel using the artistic forging. In fact, only a specialist can tell the difference between cast iron and forging. Without going into details chemical composition, we can say that wrought-iron garden benches are always delicate, elegant lines that give any summer cottage a sophisticated look. In combination with other elements of the exterior, a wrought-iron bench can literally transform a garden. It must be said that forged products can be made in any style.
Stone benches. Stone benches look impressive and monumental. Stone benches look most advantageous in a spacious garden. Despite the fact that they are not very comfortable and are not intended for long-term rest, stone garden benches are still quite popular. They give the garden a special flavor and hint at the respectability of the owners. The problem of discomfort can be easily solved by placing soft cushions on the bench. In some cases, stone benches are even cheaper than wooden ones.
Plastic. The advent of plastic furniture created a real revolution just a few decades ago. It was especially loved by owners of country houses. The advantages are obvious - plastic furniture is cheap and practical. It can be left outside, it comes in a variety of colors and shapes. In addition, plastic furniture is lightweight, which allows you to move it in different areas garden If the exterior of your home is made in modern style, plastic garden benches and chairs will look quite harmonious.
Wicker benches graceful, sweet, airy, light, but short-lived. They will not last long even if they stand under a canopy. This primarily applies to products made from willow vine. Benches coated with a special varnish will last longer. And yet, such garden furniture has many fans. A corner with a wicker bench immediately resembles a French garden or a view of the sea coast.
In recent years, garden rattan benches. This material is much stronger than willow. This means that such furniture lasts much longer. Unfortunately, rattan does not grow in our latitudes, and export from hot countries is expensive. Furniture manufacturers offer products from artificial rattan. It is stronger and lasts longer, as it is not afraid of any scorching sun, no rain.
Also, recently it has been gaining popularity Hularo furniture– synthetic rattan. This material, based on rubber and other artificial additives, is in no way inferior in appearance to natural material. And in some respects it even surpasses natural rattan. Wicker benches made of hularo do not fade and are not afraid large differences temperature. Such furniture is pleasant to the touch and very easy to care for - it can be washed directly with a hose. In addition, manufacturers offer different colors, textures and weaving patterns. It is not surprising that wicker benches made from hularo are becoming more and more popular every year.
An arch with a bench is an excellent solution for a summer house
This is an almost ready-made place to relax. Now on sale there are models of arches or trellises made of metal, wood or plastic. A forged arch with a bench has always been an attribute of grace and aristocracy. On such a bench you can not only retire surrounded by climbing plants, but also to arrange a romantic date. Climbing grapes, clematis, campsis and climbing roses are well suited for decorating such an arch.
Garden furniture items are necessary to create a place to relax at your own discretion in your summer cottage. Photos of benches in the garden look attractive. Any craftsman can make such furniture himself.
First, you will need to decide on the choice of material for the future product and select a suitable design solution.
Materials for work
A garden bench can be made from various materials. Each of them has its own advantages.
Plastic bench
This piece of furniture has many advantages. Plastic products affordable, they do not require special care, they are easy to disassemble and assemble. Today plastic is presented in a rich range of colors.
However, there are also disadvantages. A plastic item looks cheaper than wooden product. When exposed to direct sunlight, it quickly fades and its surface can become deformed.
Wood for garden furniture
To make original benches for a summer residence, craftsmen often use wood. Wood is easy to process, the material looks noble, and installation does not take much time.
The main requirements are the absence of defects and good drying.
Stone products
The naturalness of the material - its undeniable dignity, it attracts with its natural beauty. IN finished products it looks luxurious and stylish.
Items from natural stone easy to make with your own hands. However, the material has not only advantages, but also disadvantages:
- Sitting on a cold stone is harmful to your health.
- Installation of the bench is carried out exclusively permanently.
What about metal?
Metal benches are an excellent decoration for a recreation area. Way cold forging, like the hot forging method, allows you to create beautiful designs.
In addition, metal combines perfectly with glass or wood.
What should the ideal shop be like?
Among all the requirements, the main ones can be identified:
- Comfort. It is necessary that the bench is ergonomic. A bench with a back is a good option.
- The product must cope with serious loads. The master needs to choose exclusively quality materials and accessories.
Structural features of the bench
A summer resident who wants to improve the landscape around the house should know how to make a bench with his own hands. You must first determine the dimensions.
Dimensions – 1.5 mx0.4 m, height – 0.45 m (seat) and 900 m (back). The back is made at an angle of 18 or 20 degrees. It is important to complete the drawings of the bench correctly, then the work will not be a problem.
The master will need to prepare the following:
- Primer, varnish;
- Special sandpaper for wood;
- Screwdriver;
- Electric planer;
- Jigsaw;
- Self-tapping screws 40X40;
- Blanks for front and rear legs, as well as for backrest holders;
- Wooden boards with dimensions 1500X150 and thickness from 35 mm to 40 mm.
Making a wooden structure with your own hands
It’s good when you can find boards with the required dimensions on the market.
When suitable option on construction market It didn’t turn out that the craftsman would have to arm himself with a jigsaw to cut the material himself. A miter saw will help speed up the process.
Note!
Finished workpieces must be processed. The surface of the boards for the backrest and seat needs to be sanded. The ends are processed using an electric planer, best option– make them with a rounded shape.
The next stage is to give the required angle of inclination, in this case we are talking about the rear legs of the bench. These elements serve as a frame. Markings are applied to the prepared parts.
We measure the height - 0.4 m. It is necessary to make a cut equal to 20 degrees to form an angle of inclination. The distance between the legs of the bench in front and behind should be 0.28 m. A beam with a size of 0.5 m connects the legs. It is better when the strapping is done not only from above, but also from below.
The sides are connected as soon as the assembly of the main parts is completed. The boards are fastened with self-tapping screws to the strapping bars, which are located on top. Gaps are left between the workpieces to drain moisture.
When installing the backrest, the board that goes first is attached at a distance of 0.2 m from the seat, and the second - 0.38 m.
Note!
You can start finishing coating products. For this purpose, impregnation with varnish for external use is used. Such funds will help ensure reliable protection from any harmful actions from the outside.
How to create a metal structure?
The craftsman can create a comfortable place for a relaxation area using cold forging techniques. It is better to start with models that have angular shapes; they are easier to manufacture.
Detailed instructions
We decide on the dimensions (length - 1.5 m, height - 0.8 or 0.9 m, width - 0.4 or 0.5 m).
We make blanks for the frame from cut pipes. You will need to prepare 2 pieces with dimensions of 0.4 m and 2 more fragments of 1.5 m each. We connect these parts into a rectangle and weld them. To make the structure more durable, we weld 2 stiffeners.
To make blanks for the legs, metal pipe cut into 4 parts, the length of each should be 0.4 m. The blanks are attached to the corners of the bench. To strengthen the legs, additional stiffening ribs are installed.
Note!
To make the back you will need 2 blanks. The length of one should be 1.5 m, and the other – 0.44 mm. We weld the blanks for the back together and weld them to the seat. We must not forget about the angle of inclination. For rest to be comfortable, it must be at least 15 or 20 degrees.
The back can also be strengthened with stiffening ribs.
On last stage The seams are cleaned. The surface of the frame is coated with a primer.
If you plan to make a product with shaped elements, then completing such a task will require more time.
DIY bench photo
The bench is an essential attribute summer cottage or local area. Often there is room on the site for not one, but several benches. One in the yard, another in the garden, the third at the gate. A DIY bench with backrest is probably the easiest and most useful project you can make in your garden.
The beautiful wooden texture of the bench will look harmonious in any garden, especially if you use not just boards for the bench, but all parts of the wood that are available to you in the garden.
In order to do a simple bench, you don’t need special skills or expensive tools, and wood in the country is one of the most affordable materials.
We hope these beautiful benches inspire you to create your own.
DIY bench with backrest
To begin with, we suggest mastering simple design, which is easy to manufacture and has good rigidity and stability.
Wooden bench. Preparation of materials
In order to make a bench, you will need:
- 2 short front supports [A];
- 2 long rear supports (the backrest will be attached to them) [A];
- 8 short crossbars for tying supports and adding rigidity [B];
- long boards for the seat and backs (their number depends on their width and the desired size of the bench) [C].
If you are planning to make a long bench with a backrest with your own hands, then make sure that your boards that you have prepared for the seat will not bend under the weight of the people sitting on it. And if the boards really sag, then this can be corrected - you can assemble another support and place it in the middle.
Every detail needs to be polished so that after relaxing on the bench you don’t have to pick out splinters from various interesting places.
Remember also that if you want to dig in a bench, your supports must be at least 40cm longer.
Garden bench. Execution of work
Once your parts are cut to size and sanded, you can begin assembly. For this it is better to use self-tapping screws, but if you do not have a screwdriver, then the bench can be knocked down with nails.
It is important to screw the crossbars with at least two self-tapping screws to each support as shown in the picture. And the greater the distance between the screws, the stiffer the structure will be.
Now all that remains is to paint and let the paint dry.
And this is what you can get. You can give the bench a different look without changing the design. Just use rougher wood and it's a completely different thing! Although structurally its differences are minimal, and it is done in exactly the same way.
DIY bench
But even if this seemed too complicated for you, then there is a design for you for a bench with a backrest, which can be done with a hacksaw and a hammer in literally a matter of hours.
All you need is six boards of the same thickness (preferably at least 40mm).
Its scheme is elementary simple.
Once all the pieces are cut to size and sanded, it comes together in minutes!
It’s better to drill the holes for the screws in advance so that the board doesn’t split during assembly.
This bench looks laconic and modern. 
And this is not surprising, because there is nothing superfluous in this design. Each structural element is absolutely necessary and at the same time minimally sufficient. Your bench with backrest can be made in any way, we have shown only the two simplest ones.
Benches photo
If you enjoy working with wood, you may want to expand your skills and add some new original pieces to your bench.
If you are uprooting stumps in your dacha, consider that you have become the happy owner of a unique material for your next bench, which you will make with your own hands.
Often those of us who love and know how to do something with our own hands are simply embarrassed to waste our time on this “nonsense” - it is more important to dig up the garden on time.
The pleasure you will get while working on your garden bench project will give you truly happy moments. 
And those around you who were puffing about why you are busy with frivolous things will be proud of your bench, which you made yourself, and tell everyone that you are so unexpectedly talented.
And we are sure that these successes will inspire you to try new ideas, because benches made by yourself are always more practical and comfortable than ordinary standard ones.
Among small architectural forms, benches and benches are the most common. Can be made from any materials or combinations thereof: wood, metal, stone, concrete, plastic, glass.
They are everywhere: streets and city squares, parks and squares, sports and educational establishments, public institutions and residential premises. Practically required element landscape design, plot of a private house or cottage.
The easiest material to process and affordable is wood. Do-it-yourself wooden benches provide an opportunity to save money, demonstrate your craftsmanship at home and be a creator.
Wooden benches: economy option
Make wooden benches using existing “blanks”. It is enough to process a little, collect a strong and functional design- with seat, back and legs.
Moreover, such “modules” are inexpensive, sometimes purchased for “pennies.” It's about about pallets or pallets.
But not everyone is suitable for arranging garden furniture. You should not use products made from off-grade or unedged boards. In the first case, large knots may fall out, in the second, the “aesthetic” qualities suffer.
There are cases where the board fastening step is clearly not suitable for a bench.
The pallet is a wonderful donor for a bench
A pallet, as in the photo, would be better. With a corner chamfer removed along the contour.
The width of the pallet is large for bench seating. It needs to be trimmed, the remainder can be used to construct the backrest.
If the width of the backrest is not enough, then the bench will have to be made from two pallets.
The seats and backrest are part of the structure. Need legs. Let's make pallets from the board itself.
- the bench may not be stable
Rigidity is ensured by the seat, and the mounting area of the legs is quite small. Usually a lower ligament is added so that they do not “spread apart”. A simpler option is to use another pallet (or rather part of it) as a base.
or two. Do-it-yourself benches and benches made of wood in detail and clearly.
Fixing the backrest, as can be seen from the examples, can be done using a pair of slats, a board, a rope or rope. The assembled bench, its surface is cleaned, sanded, varnished or painted.
You can not cut the pallets to width and make a garden sofa.
There are examples of using pallet boards for the manufacture of other products from the class of small architectural forms. Flowerpots are also taken in the photo.
It is not necessary to waste time disassembling pallets, but it is better to buy standard lumber.
Simple bench shapes: board and timber
There are designs and execution options - from the simplest to specimens with wood carvings, worthy of being called real works of applied art.
The easiest option for making is a wooden bench without a back.
The drawing shows a do-it-yourself wooden bench, made entirely of boards with a thickness of 75 mm.
Bench made of boards and timber
Each element consists of two parts.
The seat with beveled ends is assembled from two boards. If the bench will be in an open area or outside a heated room, then it is better to provide a gap. It will allow water to drain and compensate for wood swelling.
The leg consists of two glued elements. To ensure reliability of the end connection, a pin (dowel) is inserted. Two short support beams and seat fastenings are attached to the leg. The legs and beams are connected with grooves, fixed with glue and self-tapping screws. Once assembled, the leg and beam are attached to the seat board with two pairs of screws and dowels, and holes are pre-drilled for them.
Assembly order
1. Cut out the workpiece;
2. Process the ends and clean the surfaces for gluing;
3. Glue the legs together;
4. Beams are attached to them;
5. Assembling the shop;
6. Sanded and coated with varnish (or paint).
Images and drawings of a bench made of 30 mm boards with a support beam.
Bench made of 30 mm boards with a support beam
There are already shaped elements in the form of legs with radius cutouts. You can make the work easier and make them rectangular. The drawing is not a dogma - it can be taken as a basis and changed in the direction of simplification or in the direction of complication. They do the same with sizes - make the bench wider, shorter, etc.
What is the difference between this option and the previous one?
One long support beam is used instead of four short ones; it also serves as a stiffening rib for the base - the legs and the entire structure are more stable. The connection between the legs and the beam goes through a tongue and groove, and the tenon is much easier to cut out. That is, this form is a little easier to manufacture, more stable and gives more possibilities for experimentation.
Below are several options for a similar design, but in a different design.
For example, in the minimalist style - there are not even protruding edges. Splicing according to the tongue-and-groove principle is used to connect the legs and the seat.
In this model, they simplified the task as much as possible - they even abandoned cutting out grooves and tenons. In this case, it is better to make the connection between the legs and the beam using confirmations rather than self-tapping screws (they have larger area contact). For strength, they usually add a pair of dowels on each side, set with glue. Hidden mount the seats are made on a dowel, the open seats are made on a self-tapping screw.
If the bench is not very long, then the beam can be placed at the bottom. In this design, it serves solely as a stiffener.
In the photo below you can see an unusual case of using a dowel - it attaches the beam to the legs not with a hidden installation, but with an open one.
In this bench, a block was used to “help” the board.
Legs with crossbars and two oblique supports for sitting are made from it. All fastenings are made on confirmations, and the bars of the legs are connected to each other using grooves.
Here also a block is used for the base. Thanks to large thickness seat boards, it does not require additional support. The lower beam serves as a stiffener.
Making a small bench with a back is not much more difficult. The principle of installation and fastening is similar to simple benches: grooves, tenons, dowels, glue, screws and confirmations.
You can take a design with “solid” board legs as a basis. Move them a little from the center to the edge so that the ends of the seat and legs are in the same plane. Attach vertical beams to the legs and screw the backrest to them.
Bench with carved back
For a model whose base is made of a block, making the back is even easier. Two pairs of legs: front - for seat support, rear (high) - for fastening load-bearing beam, seats and backrests.
These were lightweight and “mobile” designs of benches and benches made of wood, which could be used with equal success in an open area, under a canopy or indoors. There are more massive forms aimed at “stationary” placement.
Benches: large format
Making a wooden bench with your own hands for a summer residence involves using any form of material. Including those that are used in the construction of wooden houses.
For example, timber. For reference: timber is classified as such if the aspect ratio is no more than 1:2, and the smaller side has a size of 100 mm or more. Reducing the size transfers such lumber to the “block” category.
It’s not easy to assemble a bench like the one in this photo with your own hands, but it’s possible.
Assembling the legs is not difficult at all. The only difference from a board and a block is that more powerful fasteners will be required. For example, such self-tapping bolts for wood.
You will have to widen the hole under their head (but confirmations also require this) and place a washer.
Installation and installation of the seat is much more difficult.
To “bundle” the beams together, three metal pins are needed, with a length almost the width of the seat, and two - the width of the bench, taking into account the legs. It’s difficult to find these on sale - you’ll have to make them from round reinforcement (stainless steel). The gap between the beams can be maintained using wooden plates from boards strung on studs. The thickness of the plates should be the same as the three supporting vertical beams that support the seat in the center of the bench.
And this specimen is made of even more powerful timber (150×100). Its assembly is much simpler. Two seat beams are attached from below through short cross beams, which are then mounted to the T-shaped legs.
Another easy-to-follow example using a large-format board. Load-bearing capacity The materials are such that the use of reinforcing beams is not required - the seat is attached to the ends of the short legs. The author of the project knows well that the toughest geometric figure- triangle. Therefore, both the configuration of the lower part of the supports and their connection with each other with bolts has the shape of an equilateral triangle.
If possible, order two non-standard wooden beams, then making such a bench with your own hands will not be difficult: you will need to “add” four short timbers (100×100) for the legs and two timbers (100×50) for the back.
Timber bench
But if this is not possible, then instead of a non-standard beam you can use a couple of standard ones.
Such garden bench He already uses logs from wood with his own hands.
The most difficult thing in this option is to use an ax (or adze) to make a longitudinal groove and tenon for connecting the logs. For reliable fixation, you will need a couple more dowels on each side (this is the same dowel, but only thicker and longer). The seat and back can be made of boards (as in the photo) or timber. Do-it-yourself benches and benches made of wood - ideas and solutions.
And this version of the bench is already more complicated.
But not really. The main difficulty is making the back, or rather the notch on it. All fastenings of parts of the structure to each other are carried out using dowels.
Basically, like this wooden fastener quite durable - log houses with a couple of floors (including wooden churches) were previously built without a single nail.
And a very simple option: two logs with a groove and half a log sawn lengthwise.
Bench simplicity perfection
Wooden bench
In conclusion, here are a couple of examples of how you can make a bench from wood, not purchased wood, but found in a nearby planting or forest. Benches and benches made of wood with your own hands from auxiliary materials.
In this example, only the seat is made of boards, everything else is made of natural material, which had to be selected in thickness and adjusted to size.
To make the seat of such a bench, you need professional tool, so you will have to either order longitudinal sawing of the log, or (which is easier) take an unedged board as a blank.
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