Easy to build sturdy benches used for outdoor wedding. Free plans by ANA-WHITE.com
I have been a long time user and fan of Rustoleum Products. This post is brought to you by Rustoleum, all opinions expressed are my own.
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My mom and sister and I built the benches for the wedding.
So let's do some math ...
20 benches + 1 hour to build, sand and finish each bench = 20 hours of work
I'm laughing at us right now expecting this project to take "a few hours".
BUT - we did get the benches built in about half an hour each! That is really moving, especially since they are eight foot long (bigger means more sanding and more staining).
The trick was we did not cut the top boards. We purchased off the shelf stud length 2x6 and 2x4s that are exactly 92-5/8" long. So all we had to cut for each bench was the two end boards and the four leg boards. We did set a guide on our saw and production cut these, since there were 80 legs and 40 ends to cut. This saved a ton of time.
Many of you are asking for plans and more details, and I'm quite happy to share with you today.
Each bench cost about $25 to make in lumber (we had the screws and stain).
For stain, we used Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona -
It is a very rich dark but still neutrel brown - the finish on the benches looked high end but rustic.
We did not have time to add a poly coat over top, but I do recommend.
Triple Thick by Varathane is wonderful, durable, and quick to apply over a stain.
We didn't have time, but I wish we could have added a cross brace on the legs like this -
I've added this step to the plans if you'd like to cross brace. This will keep the bench from getting wobbly over time.
Do enjoy the plans following, and if you build, please share. It's always a day maker seeing your projects!
XO Ana
PS - For those of you asking, the hanging white flowers are wisteria garlands.
Preparation
PER BENCH
2 - 2x4 @ 92-5/8" (stud length)
2 - 2x6 @ 92-5/8" (stud length)
2 - 2x4 @ 8 feet (you'll have some extra, if you are building more than one bench, you can expect to use about 12' of 2x4 per bench)
2-3/4" exterior self tapping wood screws
2 - 2x4 @ 92-5/8" or stud length
2 - 2x6 @ 92-5/8" or stud length
2 - 2x4 @ 14-1/2"
4 - 2x4 @ 16-1/2"
2 - 2x4 @ 8-1/2"
2 - 2x4 @ 17" both ends cut at 45 degrees off square, long point to short point measurement, ends are parallel
Instructions
Step 1
Screw the 2x4 studs to the 2x6 studs with screws about every 8"-12".
Step 2
Screw the end boards to the 2x4 and 2x6 ends.
Step 3
Screw legs to inside of 2x4 outer frame. I angle screw a few to help keep the legs from going wobbly.
Step 4
I recommend a tie in board at the bottom to secure the two legs together. I left a 3" space below the tie in board.
Step 5
Comments
mikejillnelson
Sat, 06/27/2020 - 03:30
Wedding Arbor?
I love the simplicity of this build. By any chance do you have or can you create a simple wedding arbor? I've seen plenty of designs and even people showing you how they built theirs but I can't find someone who shares all the detail you do! I'm looking for a no curve, simple right angle arbor 8' wide with 4 "legs" so it stands on its own and doesn't require a stand or angle supports at the bottom...