DIY Concrete and Wood Bench

This is an easy DIY concrete and wood bench project. I used 5-gallon buckets to form concrete columns for the base and used cedar 2x6s for the top. The modular design allows the pieces to be moved separately and the design works well at different lengths. I need a lot of outdoor seating for events at my new properties and this DIY bench is great for outdoor parties.
I will do a follow up video on testing the 20-foot version and I ma considering adding a tension cable or a 3rd piece of concrete.
Thanks to Ryobi and Kreg for sponsoring this video:
Check out Ryobi's current RYOBI Day Sale!
www.ryobitools.com/promotions...
Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig
www.kregtool.com/shop/pocket-...
Kreg Portable CrossCut
amzn.to/3Plf6gb
Cedar is great for outdoor builds and I find Cedar dealers here:
www.realcedar.com/
For additional projects and information check out our website:
www.homemade-modern.com/

[@gladbandanna]

Just wanted to thank you! I used this design for a 10ft bench for our neighborhood bus stop (which is on the corner of our property). That way, the parents and kids have somewhere to chill before getting on the bus. Everyone loves it!

[@americanpancakelive]

WD-40 sprayed in the bucket and wiped around makes a great release agent. I love this design and plan on making this.

[@WilliamsSkilliams]

No one seems to be mentioning this but it’s a pretty killer design! It’s modular, portable, extendable, and it looks great! Put the short version in a furniture shop and it would bring in the big bucks!

[@broakland2]

I just read your comment after I posted mine. Agree, great design!

[@workinprogress5936]

What I like about this idea, is that you can add angle iron to it and create a portable skate obstacle 2:50 If you have access to pink foamboard, you could have used this too. Much easier to remove than stacked 2x4's

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes foam works well! great idea!

[@rbaker73]

Paraffin oil generally is lightly sprayed over plastic foam forms or form liners. Castor oil, or petroleum jelly thinned with kerosene, also are good release agents. Concrete forms, even if they are ground, smoothed and polished, require a release agent to prevent sticking and enable easy stripping

[@jasonbollman]

Great project, not to mention some great tips to use for other projects. Thanks for sharing!

[@BYOTools]

Not only do I love the style of this bench but I also love the small amount of tools and materials needed to build it. Great job as always.

[@ChrisFranklyn]

Actually, if those buckets are HDPE then nothing wants to stick to it, so you could make negative space bricks from the old knackered buckets! I love these sorts of experiments.

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes

[@bvb8769]

Great design. I really appreciate it. A bit of advice. First, use a release agent where contacting the concrete. It's a really light oil and it works amazingly well. Second, instead of using a solid piece of lumber for the negative space. You could split that piece diagonally forming two wedges with an 1/8" shim to replace the kerf. Then once set, you could remove the shim and each piece could then slide out easily. Assuming you took advantage of my first suggestion. :) Best of luck and keep up the great ideas.

[@broakland2]

Thanks for the tips!

[@elisfortunato7970]

Uma ideia simples e eficiente. Ficou ótimo!!! Parabéns!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@b3arwithm3]

This is a killer idea. Simple to make but looks so nice.

[@lisahwang1011]

Looks great!

[@broakland2]

I love this design, thank you!

[@dwwoodbuilds]

I always enjoy your design experiments involving concrete! Looking forward to the next experiment!

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you! structural experiments with this project coming soon

[@delbarfield8624]

🎉 Perfect clean seat . Portable cushions

[@scottlurken9667]

Fantastic!

[@leskobrandon3497]

Instead of using wood inside the bucket to form the void use styrofoam . Easier to remove . If you must use wood cut it at a slight so it's slightly tapered and grease it , and it will pop out instead of you having to chew it out .

[@danthemakerman]

I always appreciate you pushing materials to their limit. Great design!!

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you! the testing video is coming soon

[@zdenek7220]

Polystyrene block does the job for me, I find it easier to remove if from the concrete afterwards. Neat bench!

[@MrKrueger88]

This guy and his work are just fantastic 🎉💯👍

[@billgale2264]

Great idea, I’m going to do that. Thank you.

[@answers4atheists]

It may not be as stable but you can find pyramid blocks at most big home improvement stores. Stack those on some cross stacked concrete bricks to desired height. Use cedar 2x4s and then and then a cedar 2x8 if you can find it, or laminate cedar 1x8s into the desired thickness. This would make a quicker bench without any serious fabrication.

[@thoskins202]

This is great work. Simple, yet it still has clean and efficient design evident. I love this, and your gym stuff

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video and design. Simple is hard. Wow, 20 ft long! Go big! Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!!

[@NewHeritageFarms]

LUV this SO casual and conversational design as you go video. And luv the benches.

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you

[@zenhammer]

Great project.

[@greatone2717]

Amazing

[@ronnieg6099]

What a great idea regarding the yoga mat. You’re very creative.

[@rscott72]

A release agent on your concrete form components will ease removal. Used motor oil or silicone spray work nicely. Pretty cool project.

[@Ivan-nq9xj]

Very good design

[@pauldejesus9644]

that has to be the best and easiest design i have ever seen thanks fore posting

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you

[@croness91]

interesting.i searched for concrete and wood bench a few weeks ago and now I got this video recommended to me and its the best one for what intended to do; outdoor bench with the least amount of power tools.

[@Brian-os9qj]

Great stuff dude

[@yashkorat6748]

You can use releasing agent oil or water based on the surfaces for easy and smooth casting release. Cheers

[@andrewfreeman88]

Just simple veggie or motor oil will do the trick not too complicated.

[@alexsafonov7270]

thank you for sharing this useful and inexpensive bench design :) if you can show us the process of melting down the plastic from the bucket and transforming it to something else, I would be very interested to see that.

[@HomeMadeModern]

here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYG4eYl3qsqBa8k

[@tomb816]

I watched on mute so sorry if I missed it. Next time just use a 12" Sonotube for the form and rigid foam as the filler. The Sonotube will cut right off and you can get several bases from a single tube. The foam is easy to cut and just as easy to remove from the concrete, when finished.

[@BrentKamrath]

Smart!!!!

[@lisahwang1011]

Love this table!

[@andrewfreeman88]

Not a table, it's a bench ; )

[@lisahwang1011]

@@andrewfreeman88 typo. 😅

[@euphoricmonk]

@@lisahwang1011 okay larr ; )

[@joelhollingsworth2374]

Great design! Two items that might improve it a little: A hole all the way through the concrete would give a better grip when carrying the pillars, and help with drainage in wet conditions (I know that's seldom a concern in your location, but still...). And to stiffen the bench, you could stand off the 2x3s from the 2x6s using short 2x2 blocks every foot or two, to make something of a truss. This would either boost the bench height, or mean a deeper recess in the pillar; not sure which would work better. But it also would make carrying the planks even easier, assuming you round over the 2x3's edges a little.

[@HomeMadeModern]

good ideas! thank you!

[@broakland2]

Hole is a great idea!

[@kmonnier]

Kitchen film is also a good wrap for the wood pieces in the mold.

[@iamtroyhollinger]

These are rad bro!

[@jdau2b]

Lubricate the bucket before adding the concrete will help releasing it once set …also putting a pipe of some sort ( pvc?) top to bottom should release the vacuum I will be using this idea

[@Tharunkumar-kr7kp]

You don't need to break bucket... Simply apply crease or thick oil to that bucket and wood, trust me this tip saves your buckets and wood.

[@makelifetrader3894]

Hey man You can use hot water pour on bucket to make it soft and the you can easy to pull it out

[@7eVen.si62]

Another Ryobi expert 😂😂😂

[@OrigEntertainmentOfficial]

Have you tried moving the pillars closer together? Right now, the pillars are closer to the ends. I wonder if they were at the 1/3 points rather than 1/4 points you might get all the stability you need.

[@DoraThaExploder]

Really great design and fantastic suggestions on how to improve the process. You can learn when the wood will break with math and save those long boards with another video showing you making a 3rd support using the process improvements you talked about. I would be really interested!

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes! will show shortly

[@eleanorstang08]

Oh I love this I would drop $250 or more on that short one nice job man

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Pretty cool design.

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!

[@josevolu]

Awesome simple and inexpensive project. How much was the total? Does the bench tilts forwards or backwards with movement?

[@placido20]

for that longer bench you made you could just bring the concrete colomns closer or just create a 3rd one to prevent the bowing...

[@ferko6]

Diesel makes a good mold release too

[@Mebeknob]

Or add a bolt to pin the bench to the base. May prevent some deflection

[@davidwiechecki9205]

It occurs to me that if you made a hole in your concrete bases and flip them over you would now have a rocket stove. Multiple uses for the same thing.

[@Hbmd3E]

very good work/ planning! concrete and modern tools/equipment gives all kinds of possibilities that we dint have before ( therefore also money to be made. ) e.g tables and benches. You might expect bumping in to these all over the world,. Or even If you find your self in the end of the world, ( e.g Fin(al)land ) Remember you ( almost ) did it first, ( I have already thought of these methods :) ps. If rubber is added to the top and and bottom of these concrete cones these can be rolled. ( important to have same size so it doesn't go in circles ) If you have one pick up or bigger truck full of these might need easy way to move. To make it durable+ light, might need then ironing. If you have more of these that you need in the moment you cant put it upside down and but flower or water on them or so :) Could also thing survivalist type of situation you need to take cement in the more distance place you go and cutting the tree in half, you get bench and table. buckets go inside and water is there, so not much need to be taken with you

[@yogogoyogirlyogogoyo]

For the longer bench, you could move the concrete closer.

[@HomeMadeModern]

smart! doing this in the next video

[@AM-jw1lo]

A little bit of mold release would have saved the bucket and the chipping of the wood. But your idea of the concrete base is solid.

[@YEEZYS_MASK]

I think this dude should’ve worked for ocean gate

[@ZebbMassiv]

In a pinch you could probably wrap the blocks in a layer of parchment paper if no linoleum

[@tensazero]

Have you tried using oil or mold release?

[@mooofooo79]

Any other options to hide the screws? Is a jig necessary? Cheers

[@mooofooo79]

Does the concrete need any product on it after? Seal? Etc. Stoked

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

KZbin has been reading my mind, I was just thinking about this yesterday.... well not exactly making concrete buckets, but using two 5 gallon buckets and a wood plank (2"×8"×5') as a bench so that I can paint 9 foot walls and ceiling, I figured it's cheaper than buying the bench I saw Harbor Freight for $50.

[@davidgrajales4706]

saludos desde mexico no rompas la cubeta ponle agua caliente y sale facilmente

[@carlosenriquez2092]

It's a great design now invest in some release agent.

[@jonathandaniel2608]

Always excited to see what’s next!

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!

[@carlosenriquez2092]

Also you can use upside down cement planters it's the Uber lazy version we discovered this a two days before a wedding event where the guest list grew at the last minute.

[@johan23sep]

DIY concrete feet for a small garden shed

[@bedbath9056]

You need Marine Wood Finish, regular outdoor finish will not outstand UV.

[@andrewfreeman88]

Think if you put a thick coat of veggie oil on the linoleum wood wrap and then adding concrete they would have come easier.

[@linogarcia8286]

Would also make a good seasaw for kids 🤔.

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes!

[@caribfacesassi3544]

U could use HOT water to remove the concrete fr d bucket, try it next time 👍

[@user-ex7np2tk2m]

Perhaps this has been asked already, but is the spacing and width of the lines on your forearm tattoo have significance you’d share here? Or just aesthetic?

[@macmaccourt]

3 supports beats pushing it with 'people.'

[@eric0u812]

None stick cooking spray will work to release the concrete from the bucket.

[@Atul_Peace]

Apply used engine oil in the plastic container all over before you pour in the cement and see the magic..hope it helps..

[@Atul_Peace]

@@wainivanuano it doesnt stain and even if it does you can just color it or wash it..thx for your unwanted comment mr.smart pants..

[@KaleyRaw]

Something's off with your website. Thanks for the idea!

[@discgolfallday8643]

Curious how tippy it is? Would kiddos topple it over messing on it?

[@c.a.g.1977]

Ooh, very clever design, Ben! And it looks pretty awesome as well!

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!

[@ScotGardi]

I know nothing but, if you make inflatable molds would the heat from the concrete setting expand the molds? Sorry if that's not a thing! Liquid might work a little better.

[@HomeMadeModern]

doesn't get that hot

[@ScotGardi]

@@HomeMadeModern 🤔 ...yes

[@nileor1]

did you try using air gun to blow air inside bucket to see if it would pop out?

[@rebecabarreto8017]

If you guys grease the pot with simple oil, before to put the concrete, it will come out very easily

[@rebecabarreto8017]

By the way, nice project

[@-joe90]

Air compresor for removing

[@TheDecree93]

Great idea and good showing of the execution

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you!

[@SeeMee-fw3mi]

Is your website down?

[@eeghtitelukintan2948]

Great....- from syoknyadiy channel

[@HomeMadeModern]

:)

[@alancalvitti]

+1 genius design - now sub concrete w lighter base, allthread tripod or what have u

[@Sk-zw7bb]

The cost of the cement, the wood, the stain would all bring it closer to $100 besides all the tools I’d have to buy that I don’t have. It would not make it significantly cheaper to build than buy one.

[@electricalron]

No rebar?

[@DigsRetro]

Ive seen dozens of times where you can just pour boiling water over the bucket and it'll just lift right off.

[@HomeMadeModern]

oh thanks! I will try that!

[@jeromedenis4754]

Hello, coat the inside of the buckets and the linoleum with vaseline or some other greasy stuff before you put the concrete inside the bucket. The idea is to apply a release agent > VASELINE. That allows the hard concrete to slip off. You shouldn't have to destroy the bucket and wood/w linoleum.

[@HomeMadeModern]

mold release doesn't make much of a difference. the concrete doesn't stick to the plastic its more the tightness. also mold releases tend to stain the concrete

[@jasonfifi]

​@@HomeMadeModern increasing temperature of the bucket or reducing the temperature of the concrete would reduce pressure. i don't like mold releases because of the color problem. another thing i've done that works great is to take an old tire inner tube, cut near the pinch flat, tie off to roughly the size you want, and stuff it under the block inside the bucket deflated. now, inflate it when you want to remove it(route the valve stem through the bucket, of course). you can also fill it with water by dunking a track style bike pump in a pool or another 5 gallon bucket or a tub etc... i've never needed to do that, but you mentioned inflatable molds, and especially for creating negative space, this works great. rather than deflate then pour, inflate to assist in removal, you can inflate before the pour to create negative space, deflate to remove.

[@veernielestnici]

Where is your website? what's up?

[@HomeMadeModern]

yeah got to fix that when I get the time

[@kirknra863]

Tip … use a coating of cooking oil to coat the inside of the bucket for easy removal. Just re-coat each time. Carry on….

[@onjofilms]

I used to think buckets were cheaper at Harbor Freight, but HD is cheaper.

[@HomeMadeModern]

pricing tends to fluctuate a bit

[@a3skywarrior929]

Simple and basic tools (Ryobi is my home batteryset: not too cheap/expensive)

[@HomeMadeModern]

the Toyota of power tools.

[@anonperson4597]

I lost me at having to hack at the wood to get it out of the bucket piece.

[@robertobarrozo289]

Jogue água quente,sai rápido.

[@Kamikazecobra92]

You should have used motor oil to line the bucket and wood 🫠

[@HomeMadeModern]

stains the concrete but yes need to figure out a better demanding process

[@mitchd949]

The longer the bench, the more likely you WILL see some sag and twist which will lead to a very good chance of being a butt pincher!

[@AnEvolvingApe]

I know concrete is kind of the thing here but I would much rather see this design using log stumps.

[@HomeMadeModern]

Good idea!