11/10/2023
I saw this design years ago done on TV by John Sillaots
Shopping List
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Top 1" x 12" 8ft long (pine or your choice)
Aprons 1" x 4" 8ft long (pine or your choice)
Legs 2" x 10" 8ft long (construction grade SPF)
Sandpaper, 180 & 220grit
Screws 8 #8 1-1/2" screws for attaching the aprons to the legs
6 #8 2" screws for attaching the top to the legs
Dowel 1/4" or plugging holes (optional)
Paint, stain or lacquer of your choosing
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You can ask the home centre to cut the 1x12 in half giving you 2 tops. Have them cut the 1x4 in half also (might as well get a 2nd piece to make another bench since you already have an extra top
The legs will be cut to 17-1/4" tall, with the top being 3/4" your bench will be 18" tall over all, 4ft long and 11-1/2" wide.
You can do all of this with only a drill, a forstner bit & a saw.
Preparing the apron
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Measure about 1-1/2" up from the corner edge, make a mark, along the bottom measure across 2", make another mark. Connect the lines and cut it off. You are only going for a dog eared look, nothing complicated, unless you want to ut it into another shape, curved, squared etc
Cutting the legs
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Measure 2" in from each side of the leg bottom, make a mark. Find the centre of the board and measure up 6", make a mark. Connect the lines to make a triangle. Using a forstner bit ( 1/2")
cut a hole all the way thru the board. Once done use your saw to cut the triangle out. If you don't have a forstner bit use your drill to make a series of holes in an arch 1/2" up from the centre hole mark and cut with a small coping saw, or keyhole saw.
The notches are optional, but give it a more finished look. From the top of the leg measure down 3-1/2"(width of the 1x4) make another measurement 3/4" in from the edge. This will nestle the 1x4 into the leg and under the edge of the top.
Using 2 #8 1-1/4" screw attach the apron to the legs on each end.
Attaching the top
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I used Kreg pocket hole joinery from underneath to attach the top. Usually I just drilled 3 holes thru the top into the legs and attached with #8 2"screws that were countersunk. Just use some dowls to plug the holes with glue. Sand flush.
I used 180 grit sandpaper on everything, then went to 220 grit on the top.
Paint or stain to suit
This is a great way to introduce children to woodworking or the novice weekend woodworker
Enjoy :)
Links
John Sillaots' plan
http://www.canadiangardening.com/how-to/projects/a-perfect-go-anywhere-bench/a/1565
MaritimeWoodworkers.com
Izzy Swan
http://www.thinkwoodworks.net/
https://www.youtube.com/user/rusticman1973/videos
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