Bench Seats

Our kitset bench seats can be built by just about anyone using the minimal of tools, and their robust construction will gives years of reliable service.

The slatted top means it will not be susceptible to cupping - the small gaps between slats will enable water to drain immediately.

The bench seat frame can also be used to support a natural edge slab as the seat top if you are wanting a more rustic look.

Size	Length	Matches	Price (inc. GST)
Two-person	1290mm	6 seater table	$275
Three-person	1890mm	8 seater table	$340
Four-person	2490mm	10 seater table	$400

The timber is dry, clear and dressed macrocarpa, and is supplied slightly over length for final trimming by the builder during the construction process.

All fastening hardware (screws, bolts, washers) is included in the kitset. Outdoor furniture oil is an optional extra.

You will need a drill and bits (4mm, 6mm, 10mm, and 32mm), impact driver, construction adhesive, circular saw, and ideally a drop saw.

Below is the cut list giving all the provided pieces for construction.

Watch our YouTube video showing the construction process:

Instructions

1) The first thing we need to do is take the sharp edges off the timber. Sharp edges can be a source of splinters in the long term. This can done simply using coarse sand paper, or an electric planer held at 45 degrees, or a router with a pencil rounding bit.

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2) The slats will be the long pieces of dressed 140x45. Once combined with the skirts they will give the seat a width of 370mm which is the total width of the bench seat. Lay them out on the ground best-side downwards and arrange the boards so any gaps caused by slight curves are minimised.

Draw two line marks across all of the slats. The distance between these marks is determined by the size of your seat:

• Two-person: 1200mm apart
• Three-person: 1800mm apart
• Four-person: 2400mm apart

Later in step 7 we will use these lines to cut the slats and skirts to length in one cut using a circular saw - cutting to length on both ends of the table once the slats are secured in place later will ensure they are all perfectly even.

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3) Now we are ready to cut the two cross members.

The two cross members are 90x45 and they will be cut to 280mm long and have 45 degree cuts as shown. These are positioned 200mm in from the two cut lines you made in step 2.

• The Four-person bench seat requires a third cross member in the center for stability. Position this mid span from the end cut lines you made in step 2.

Screw and glue the cross members to the slats using two 125mm long 14-gauge bugle screws per cross member, and two 75mm long 14-gauge screws positioned midway on the 45 degree cut. Using a long 6mm drill bit, drill 6mm pilot holes through the 90mm cross member. Try to eliminate any gaps between slats by clamping with a sash or G clamp.

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4) Next we construct the legs.

The leg uprights are two pieces of 140x45 cut to 320mm long. This will give a bench height of 430mm from the floor to the top surface.

The leg bases are 65x45 and they will be cut to 370mm long and have an angled cut as shown:

On the underside of these we drill two 20mm deep/32mm diameter countersink holes, spaced 80mm apart. Then drill a 10mm hole right through each of these. Using M8x100 galvanised coach screws, screw and glue the leg bases to the uprights. To avoid splitting, drill a 4mm pilot hole into the end grain of the upright.

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5) Now fix the leg assembly to the seat top's cross members from step 3 using two M10x100 coachbolts for each leg. Attach these to the side of the cross member facing away from the center of the seat.
If you are assembling the 10-seater seat, attach them to the two outer cross members.

To add extra stability attach two short 370mm long 90x45 diagonal braces to the inner side of each leg using 100mm long 14 gauge bugle screws. Drill a 6mm pilot hole right thru the brace and screw and glue the brace to the leg and underside of the bench seat slats making sure the leg is at right angles to the seat slats.

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6) Now stand the bench seat up and screw the 1200/1800/2400mm long 65x45 skirts to the edge of the 140x45 slats from step 2 using 100mm long 14 gauge screws spaced about 450mm apart.

7)Then cut the seat top to length with a circular saw guided by a straight edge along the marks you made in step 2. You may find it helpful to extend those markings around to the top face of the seat before cutting.

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8) The final step is a skirt around the end using 65x45.

This will give the bench seat a heavier look and will protect the end grain of the slats from cracking. Use 100mm long 14 gauge batten screws, drilling a 6mm pilot hole right through the first piece.

Finishing) Optionally, to finish your bench seat seal the timber with outdoor furniture oil to protect it from the elements.

View our Kitset Outdoor Tables, designed and sized to match perfectly with these bench seats!

Photos of the constructed bench seat