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Modern Park Bench

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Submitted by Ana White on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 11:07
Difficulty
Intermediate
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modern outdoor bench plans from ana-white.com

One of the great things about DIY - besides saving money, getting what you want, and that you are making something handmade - is if your needs change over time, you know how your project was built, so your project can change too.

 

Case in point:

 

 

We all loved this swing that we made for our Aunt.  But with a growing number of little nieces and nephews, ranging from 5 months to 10 years old, our Aunt missed the baby and child swings this adult swing replaced.

 

Kid come first in our family, so of course, down goes the pretty blue swing, and back up goes the plastic fisher-price baby safe swing.  It's totally worth it for the huge smile and giggles (why does getting a baby to laugh and smile feel like the biggest deal ever?)

 

So what to do with the pretty blue swing?

 

 

I removed the short legs, and replaced them with longer legs, to make a bench! I also added the bottom stretcher to help keep the legs supported.

 

Then just some paint ....

 

 

And the swing becomes a modern park bench!

 

 

It's got a nice, deep seat, and perfect height arms.  

 

We love how this swing turned bench turned out so much, I've gotta share the plans with you!  You'll find the plans following - enjoy!

 

XO Ana + Family

 

 

 

 

 

PS - Thought you might also love this swing ....

 

 

 

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above

Preparation

Shopping List

6 - 1x6 @ 6 feet long

7 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long

2-1/2" and 2" exterior decking screws

Cut List

2 - 2x4 @ 72"

5 - 2x4 @ 21"

2 - 2x4 @ 31"

4 - 2x4 @ 24"

2 - 2x4 @ 25-1/2"

1 - 2x4 @ 69"

3 - 2x4 @ 18-1/4"

6 - 1x6 @ 72"

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Build the basic seat frame of the swing first. Use the 2-1/2" exterior decking screws to attach the longer boards to the shorter boards. Kreg Jig users can also build with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws.

Step 2

Next, add the legs to the seat frame.

Step 3

Then add the arms on top of the shorter legs, and then tie into longer back legs.

Step 4

Add the shorter stretchers between the bottom legs - this will help keep the legs from splaying out.

Step 5

Step 6

Attach backrest supports with the 2-1/2" screws.

Step 7

Use the 2" screws to attach the 1x6 boards to the framing. Make sure you fill all screw holes with an exterior wood filler and then finish as desired.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Help Improve This Plan

We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.

Project Type
Bench
Outdoor Projects
Room
Outdoor
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

potterbrock0131

Mon, 06/02/2014 - 15:08

Love the plans.. just have one question if u don't mind, I know its kind of off subject but where or what software do u use to make these plans in the form of step by step as u do... I have a few plans I would like to post to u but just don't know how to get them from paper to the format u use... I am just a little computer illiterate lol!!!!

spacesculpt

Thu, 06/05/2014 - 11:46

Ana, we love your posts! The plans are always easy to follow and the designs are for creative and useful items for the home! Keep it up!

shmuel

Wed, 07/30/2014 - 11:30

Hi,

This is the second bench i am building based on your plans. Great work.
How do i place the screws in the frame in order for me to have room to put in screws to connect the 1x6 to the frame?

What do you recommend for painting cedar wood?

Thanks,

Shmuel

NATASHASALAZAR

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 14:00

In the cut list, it states to cut 5 - 2x5 @ 21"
Am I safe to assume that it was supposed to read "2x4" .... since I did not see any "2x5" in the shopping list.

Caren_bluejeans

Mon, 05/11/2015 - 09:10

I built this lovely, modern park bench the weekend. The only adjustment I made was to make the legs out of 4x4s. I like this plan because it's all straight, right angle cuts, a one day project, which I tackled by myself. I'm definitely getting more comfortable with the miter saw. The wood cost under $50. I plan to paint it with primer, then white exterior paint, both of which I have around the house. Stain would be beautiful, too. If I had to do it over again, I would paint all the pieces before assembling. And I wish I had a brad nailer; it would make attaching all the slats go much faster, and would have to fill as many screw holes.

clntemp

Tue, 01/24/2017 - 03:02

Hi,

Thanks, this looks great.

Can this be built without the arm rests?  This would mean the 24" front legs would only go up to the height of the seat frame.  Would this alternative design work or would the back rest and front legs start to splay out? 

I could add small 90 degree metal brackets for support unless you have an alternative suggestion?