Better Homes and Gardens
Build this chunky seat underneath a flowering tree in your backyard and you’ll have the perfect spot to sit and read through the warmer months. Consider adding a fire pit in the middle and you’ll have major campfire feels that the whole family will enjoy!
Gather your supplies
200 x 100mm x 2.4m hardwood sleepers (8)
90 x 19mm x 2.1m merbau decking
Components
– Side bench outer seats (2) 2190 x 200 x 100mm hardwood sleeper
– Side bench inner seats (2) 2052 x 200 x 100mm hardwood sleeper
– Centre bench outer seat 1720 x 200 x 100mm hardwood sleeper
– Centre bench inner seat 1441 x100 x 100mm hardwood sleeper
– Legs (12) 350 x 200 x 100mm hardwood sleeper
– Cleats (6) 350 x 90 x 19mm merbau decking
You’ll also need
Combination square; power saw; sliding bevel; trimmer or router; chamfer bit, to suit; belt sander; drill and bits; long 5mm drill bit; nail gun and nails (optional); 150mm galvanised batten screws; 65mm galvanised hex head screws; Feast Watson Traditional Timber Oil
Here’s how
Step 1 Using combination square and power saw, square ends of the 4 sleepers required for side bench outer and inner seats (see Notes, right). Measure from squared ends to find long points needed for angled cuts
Step 2 Find an image of a protractor on the internet and print out, then use to set sliding bevel to a 33° angle. Put bevel on long point, mark cutting lines.
Step 3 With bevel still set at 33°, mark both ends of centre bench outer and inner seats, making sure angles run in opposite directions on same side of each sleeper. Cut along all marked lines using power saw.
Step 4 Using trimmer or router fitted with chamfer bit, put a chamfer on all edges of all bench seats.
Step 5 Using belt sander, sand all faces of timber to make smooth. Start with a coarse sandpaper before moving to finer grade.
Step 6 Measure and cut legs, then sand and chamfer edges of each leg.
Step 7 On underside of all outer seats, measure in 300mm from long points of angled cuts and 300mm from square ends and mark. Put legs on inside of marked lines, then skew nail or screw in place. Put all inner seats in formation next to outer seats, so angled ends line up. Mark positions of legs on underside of inner seats and attach legs in line with outer seats’ legs.
Step 8 Flip seats on side and on top of each seat, mark centreline of legs. Predrill, countersink and drive in two 150mm batten screws at each leg.
Step 9 To create the benches, you need to join corresponding inner and outer seats together. Space seats 15mm apart, then hold 1 cleat on underside of 1 bench, flush to inside of 1 set of legs. Predrill and secure with 65mm hex head screws. Repeat for other set of legs and for all remaining benches. Arrange completed benches in formation and check level.
Step 10 Apply 2 coats of timber oil, following product instructions.
You may also like
6 flowering trees that add big impact
Create your own tropical backyard oasis
How to make a divine deck and planter box seat
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
