Build an Arbor Bench

	Tools & Materials
	Make the Side Frames
	Connect the Side Frames
	Install the Center Seat Supports
	Install the Seat Slats
	Install the Backrest
	Install the Vine Ladder Pieces
	Finish The Bench

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Tools Circular saw or table saw Router Combination square Drill/driver Jig saw Level Hammer Clamps Tape measure Dust mask Goggles Hearing protection

Materials 1"x4"x8' 13 pcs 2"x4"x8' 6 pcs 2"x12"x8' 1 pc Wood glue Finish nails Sandpaper 1 1/4" hot dipped galvanized screws 2" hot dipped galvanized screws 2 1/2 " hot dipped galvanized screws

See the Cut List.

The notches in the side uprights should face away from each other.

1. Lay two side uprights parallel, with the notches facing away from each other. Lay a top upright connector across the uprights. The top edge of the connector should be flush with the bottom of the notch and the ends of the connector should be flush with the outside edges of the uprights. Attach the pieces with 2 1/2" screws. Attach the second top upright connector to the to the second set of uprights in the same manner. The connectors are on the inside face of each upright.
   
   




2. Use the right fasteners. Learn more...

   Measure and mark 2 3/4" in from each end of one of the lower upright connectors and draw a seat contour on it that connects the marks. Use a jigsaw or band saw to cut along the contour line. (The contour's exact shape is a personal preference.) Use the connector as a pattern to mark the remaining lower upright connector and the center seat supports. Face-clamp the pieces together and gang sand them so their contours match. Mark each piece so you know which end is the front and which is the back.
   
   
3. Position a side assembly on your workbench with the top upright connector facing up. Measure up from the bottom and mark each upright at 18". Square the lower upright connector to each upright.
   
   
4. Use 2" screws to secure a lower upright connector to the side assembly. The top of the connector should be even with the mark on each upright and the connectors ends should be flush with the outside edge of each upright.
   
   
5. Make the second side frame to match the first. The connectors are located on the inside faces of the side frames.

1. Secure the upper side frame connectors to the side frames with 2 1/2" screws. The connectors fit into the notches you cut in the uprights. Ensure that the ends of the connectors are flush with the outside faces of the side frames. Click here for a cutting diagram of the upper side frame connectors. If you don't want a decorative top, use 2x4s cut to 47" to connect the side frames. Replace the 2x12 in the materials list with one more 2x4x8".
   
   

2. Install the angled braces.

   Secure the seat rails to the side frames with 2 1/2" screws. The seat rail tops should be flush with the tops of the lower upright connectors. The ends of the seat rails should be flush with the outside faces of the uprights.
   
   
3. Square the assembly. Drive 2" screws through the angled braces into the inside faces of the seat rails. Drive 2 1/2" screws through the uprights into the angled brace ends.

1. Measure in 17 1/4" from the ends of each seat rail and mark the inside face of the rail.
   
   
2. Screw and glue each of the four, 3" long 3/4"x3/4" support blocks flush with the bottoms of the rails centered on the 17 1/4" marks.
   
   
3. Cut a 3/4"x3/4" notch in the bottom of each end of each center seat support. Position the center seat supports centered on the 17 1/4" marks. Bore countersink holes in the front and back seat rails centered on the 17 1/4" marks and secure the center seat supports with glue and screws. The center seat rails should rest on the 3" long 3/4"x3/4" support blocks.

1. Use a router and a 1/4" roundover bit to round over the 1 1/2" seat slats and the 3 1/2" seat slats.
   
   
2. Notch and position the front 3 1/2" slat on the bench so it overhangs the front seat rail by 3/8". Secure the slat with finish nails and glue.
   
   

3. 1.) Back upright 2.) Spacer 3.) Rear 1 1/2" slat

   Lay a piece of 1x4 on edge so its back face abuts the front edge of each back upright. This piece is a spacer. Position a 1 1/2" slat so its back edge abuts the front face of the spacer. Secure the second slat with finish nails and glue. Remove the spacer.
   
   
4. Install the rest of the
   1 1/2" slats equally spaced to fill in the area between the front 3 1/2" slat and the rear 1 1/2" slat.

1. Rout or cut a 1/4" wide by 3/4" deep groove centered on one edge of the backrest top rail. Use a router and a 1/4" roundover bit to round over the rail's edge on the opposite edge from the groove. The edge with the groove is the bottom and the rounded edge is the top.
   
   
2. Position the rail so the top corner is 17 1/2" up from the top of the back seat rail, 5/8" in from the back edge of the back uprights and the bottom corner is 1 1/8" in from the back edge of the back uprights. Bore countersink holes in the back uprights so you can drive 2 1/2" screws into the ends of the rail. Secure the rail in place with screws and glue.
   
   
3. Mill 3/4" long by 1/4" thick tenons into one end of each backrest slat. The tenoned end of the slat is the top.
   
   
4. Use a router and a 1/4" roundover bit to round over the edges of the 1 1/2" backrest slats.
   
   
5. Place a slat at each end of the top rail 1 1/2" in from the end of the rail. Secure the slats by gluing the tenons into the rail's groove and driving 4d finish nails through the slat into the rear 1 1/2" seat slat.
   
   
6. Install the remaining slats, evenly spaced across the back rest.
   
   
7. Position the back 3 1/2" seat slat in place so its front edge abuts the back faces of the backrest slats. Secure the slat in place with finish nails and glue.
   
   
8. Install the backrest stiffener behind the slats halfway up the backrest. Drive 2 1/2" screws through the back uprights into the ends of the stiffener.

Vine ladder pieces make it easy for vegetation to cover your bench.

1. Use finish nails and glue to fasten 12 vine ladder pieces to the outside of each side frame. Space the pieces evenly for the entire length of the side frame.
   
   
2. Use finish nails and glue to fasten the the remaining vine ladder pieces to the upper side frame connectors.
   
   

Once the bench is built, finish it as you like or leave uncoated and allow it to weather to a beautiful silver-gray. Sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.