Over the past few weeks, I’ve posted plans for three separate dining chairs – #1, #2, and #3. In the meantime, I’ve been alluding to an awesome project using all three chairs…. So (drumroll, please) today is that day!
Using the entire frame of each of the three chairs minus the seats, a few spacers, and one long seat make up this fantastic bench which would be fabulous at the dining table combined with the individual chairs or on the porch!
Dining Chair Bench
It was such an easy and fantastic build! Each chair is constructed of 2x4s and 1x6s ripped down to the appropriate sizes making this project cost me less than $50 to build! Yahoo! I spent more time on the finish that I did building! I gave the bench I built to my mom for her birthday. She was very surprised!
Materials:
- 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
- 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
- 1-1/4″ screws
- 6 – 1-1/2″ corner braces
- Finishing supplies
Lumber:
- I used 2 – 2x4s at 8′, 2 – 1x6s at 8′, and a sheet of 3/4″ plywood for the entire bench
- If you are not comfortable ripping lumber on the tablesaw, see the lumber list for each chair for materials.
Cut List:
I’ll include the cut list for each chair here -
Chair #1:
- 2 – 2×2 at 17-1/2″ – Upper Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-1/2″ – Lower Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 17-3/4″ – Front Legs
- 4 – 1×3 at 15″ – Front & Back Aprons, Back Slats
- 1 – 1×4 at 15″ – Upper Back Slat
- 2 – 1×3 at 14″ – Stretchers
Chair #2:
- 2 – 2×2 at 23-1/2″ – Upper Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-1/2″ – Lower Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 17-3/4″ – Front Legs
- 3 – 1×3 at 15″ – Front & Back Aprons, Back Slat
- 1 – 1×4 at 15″ – Upper Back Slat
- 2 – 1×2 at 20-1/8″ – X
- 2 – 1×3 at 14″ – Stretchers
Chair #3:
- 2 – 2×2 at 15-1/2″ – Upper Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-1/2″ – Lower Back Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 17-3/4″ – Front Legs
- 3 – 1×3 at 15″ – Front & Back Aprons, Back Slat
- 1 – 1×4 at 15″ – Upper Back Slat
- 1 – 1×3 at 6-1/2″ – Center Back
- 2 – 1×3 at 14″ – Stretchers
For the bench itself:
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18″ x 61″ – Seat
- 3 – 1×3 at 3″ – Spacers
Click on the drawings for a larger view!
1. Chair #1:
Cut the pieces for the legs. Drill pocket holes in the upper part of the lower leg and assemble the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. There will be a left leg and a right leg.
Cut the pieces for the back. Cut the arcs in the pieces as shown in the first drawing. Drill pocket holes in each end of the back pieces as well as the back apron. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the front frame and drill pocket holes in each end of the apron piece. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the side aprons and drill pocket holes in each end. Assemble the chair frame as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Prime and paint or stain chair as desired.
2. Chair #2:
Cut the pieces for the legs. Drill pocket holes in the upper part of the lower leg and assemble the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. There will be a left leg and a right leg.
Cut the pieces for the back. Cut the pieces for the X and assemble as shown. Drill pocket holes in each end of the back pieces as well as the back apron. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the front frame and drill pocket holes in each end of the apron piece. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the side aprons and drill pocket holes in each end. Assemble the chair frame as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Prime and paint or stain chair as desired.
3. Chair #3:
Cut the pieces for the legs. Drill pocket holes in the upper part of the lower leg and assemble the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. There will be a left leg and a right leg.
Cut the pieces for the back. Drill pocket holes in each end of the back pieces as well as the back apron. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the front frame and drill pocket holes in each end of the apron piece. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the side aprons and drill pocket holes in each end. Assemble the chair frame as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Prime and paint or stain chair as desired.
4. Cut the pieces for the spacers. Drill pocket holes in one end only of each piece. Attach to each side of the chair frame that will be in the center using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Use angle brackets to attach the other end of the spacers to the other chairs. Pocket holes are not used on both sides because it will be impossible to get the drill in there to secure the second set of screws!
Cut four diagonal braces for each chair frame from scrap 1x2s. Cut a 45 degree angle in each end and drill pocket holes. Attach to the seat frame using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
5. Cut the piece for the seat. For accuracy, I assembled the chairs with the spacers then marked the seat for the notches. The front of the seat will hang over by 1″ and the sides will hang over by 1/2″. Secure with 1-1/4″ screws through the diagonal braces into the bottom of the seat.
Finish as desired!
Got a project you’ve completed using my plans? Share photos with me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com or designsbystudioc {at} gmail {dot} com. I would love to feature your work on DbSC!
Until next time,
Happy Creating!
Sharing with Beneath My Heart, Sawdust Throwdown
