How to Build a Garden Bench for under $50

[@marcusaurelius841]

This is the first wood project I've done. Quite ambitious but I've learned so much. Almost done now, so far so good. Just gotta finish the back rest and I'm finished. Great video.

[@nemrichu]

as an 18 year old girl who has never made a bench before, this video was very helpful thank you i'm planning to build my dad one and i learnt a lot, thank you

[@OutdoorBeards]

Good luck! Hope it goes well

[@SteveGoulet]

This was a great video and a great garden bench. I just built this for my NC back yard for $30. You are a great teacher and I appreciate your time and sharing the plans!

[@OutdoorBeards]

Hey that’s awesome! Thanks so much for sharing that. Made my day!

[@randywallock580]

I've never commented on a video before, but this one deserves it! Thanks for taking the time to put this together. My son was feeling nervous about starting first grade, but now he has a bench to sit at while he waits for the bus and is stoked for his first day. Thanks from me and the little man.

[@OutdoorBeards]

That’s awesome! My little guy used to sit on ours and wait for me to pull in the driveway from work. I miss when he was that little. Tell him congratulations on starting first grade.

[@arikce7]

Thanks man!! Practiced packet holes for the first time in my life.. Very professional, we're so thrilled and satisfied, couldn't have done that without your help. Greetings from Israel 🤘🏼🙏🏽

[@OutdoorBeards]

That’s great! High five from America!

[@AWEIRE]

Thats class looking, i wish every instruction video was this clear

[@dalerogers2490]

Excellent video 👍 right to the point clear explanation. And no annoying music. Well done

[@LizethRuacho]

Would love to see more of these videos from you, very detail, and to the point. Thank you for this one!

[@lesbailey2125]

Excellent tutorial very easy to follow all instructions. I have just bought the wood to make this bench. I am a complete beginner at woodwork (76 years old) I am looking forward to completing the job. I have subscribed to your channel in the hope of picking up more ideas. thank you.

[@Iron.kennels]

I js got done building one, and now tht I'm done and actually looking at it, I want to put a back and arms on it just to give it tht look I want 😅 and I thought the little movement my bench did was a mess up on my part but when i seen u sit on urs and it do the same thing it made me feel a little better lmao😅😅😅

[@bigbigdog]

Thank you for this video. I just spent 4 hours building a bench using extra 2x4s that I have laying around! Thank you for the idea!

[@alectb7535]

Made this for the wife for Mothers Day. Turned out great, thank you!

[@OutdoorBeards]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@PrintPranav]

I used these for my Boy scouts Eagle project. Worked great thanks!

[@Tuire265]

Love it, simple and beautiful. I will talk husband to do this with me. I need his help for the pocket holes at least:)

[@butchc9226]

That was a great video. I’m just getting into woodworking (even though I’m a senior lol). This looks like a good project for the winter. Thanks

[@OutdoorBeards]

That’s inspiring sir. Life long learning and trying new things regardless of age. I hope woodworking gives you the same joy I get out of it. Happy holidays!

[@goosebumpsmylegs]

Fantastic video and great step-by-step! I cut all pieces, made my pocket-hole drill outs, then stained everything including the drilled holes to ensure everything was 100% protected. Thought about using pressure-treated wood for a few of the pieces for the legs as they will have ground contact, but just went with attaching hard plastic end caps I found at the hardware store to the bottom of each leg to further protect it from any chance of rot (NH gets pretty wet and tends to age or rot wood quickly here if left on the ground, treated or not, unless it's cedar!)

[@adhenge]

First time actually trying to build something more complex and it turned out fantastic! Didn’t even have a circular saw so the cuts could be better but this is THE BEST tutorial. Def could have used screw size and tips on pocket holes bc that part was tough

[@OutdoorBeards]

Glad it turned out well for you! Thanks for the feedback about the screws. Didn’t think about that.

[@adhenge]

@@OutdoorBeards yeah the pocket hole part was weird just didn’t know how big of a drill bit to use - where do we share the pics?

[@OutdoorBeards]

You can send them to [e-mail] and they will get to me. Would love to see the finished product!

[@debraa.7008]

Thank you for your very clear and precise video. I am a novice wood worker and am wondering what size deck screws and pocket hole screws you used please?

[@OutdoorBeards]

Both were 2.5 inch

[@brittaneyyost7597]

Gonna make this to sit and watch my goats in the morning 😊

[@jacobsola3521]

Simple straighforward, love it.

[@leighhennessey2278]

Enjoyed. On my project list

[@thelifeofonnie5486]

Thank you such! Can I ask what size nails did you use

[@johnkrendel3924]

By any chance do you have step by step plans written down as a PDF or something of the sort? The video was great and very clear but easier to follow when actually building off of plans for me 😂

[@OutdoorBeards]

I looked into making them and it’s just not something in my wheelhouse of skills. The app I used is great but doesn’t generate plans like you’re talking about. Sorry sir

[@lz3572]

Great video 👍 Very informative! Also love your truck! I have one same colour.👍

[@malcsurfleet3888]

Great bench mate, could you do one with a back rest that slopes backwards.

[@OutdoorBeards]

Yes it’s in my list of projects. I only do a couple videos a year though so it might be a while.

[@brandonellis4251]

Love the video and look forward to making my own by just a quick query about the arm rests. The depth for the seat base is the 16.5" + 2" +2". Then with the front legs for the arm rest adding another 2" to the depth this brings the total depth to 22.5" which is the same as the arm rest leaving no room for the 1.5" overhang, so should the armrest piece by 24" aswell? thankyou

[@OutdoorBeards]

2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. That’s just what they’re called for simplicity. Actual dimensions are 1.5 x 3.5. So the math for the seat base 16.5” + 1.5” + 1.5” = 19.5” then the front legs for the arm rest adding another 1.5” for a total depth of 21”. The arm rests being 22.5 gives us the 1.5” overhang. Hope that made sense!

[@brandonellis4251]

@@OutdoorBeards Makes perfect sense thankyou very much

[@spencerk9184]

Great video! Im building one now for my father. A couple questions, if i did pocket holes on the back of the armrest would that be stronger than screwing it from the back into the endgrain? Should i fill the screw holes on the seat portion to prevent water sitting in? Thanks!

[@OutdoorBeards]

Hey sorry I missed this. I’m normally much better about responding fast. Regarding pocket holes on the back of the armrest. Yes it would be stronger, however, I don’t think there is enough space to get the drill in at the proper angle to install the pocket screws. Which is why I went through the back. That joint is not going to be holding a bunch of weight so I don’t think strength is a big consideration. For the screw holes, as long as you don’t bury the screw head this should not be a problem. But if you bury the screw too deep you are opening up wood fibers to the elements.

[@spencerk9184]

Thank you for the reply, much appreciated

[@RileyGrubbs]

awesome job! im interested in making one for my wife. What size screws did you use? thanks!

[@OutdoorBeards]

2.5 inch for the regular screws and 2.25 pocket hole screws

[@johnames6430]

what type of wood? Pressure treated pine for decking or the cheap stuff for studs?

[@OutdoorBeards]

Just cheap stuff for studs. The finish we used protects the wood from the elements.

[@Yamramjay]

Tthank you for this great video man!

[@Rychster]

What type of wood is best for outside furniture? And type and length of screws?

[@OutdoorBeards]

Type of wood is really personal preference and would depend on the kind of furniture you are making. Screw length would depend on the wood. The finish you put on the wood is what matters. Use a water proofing stain like I did here and the furniture will last for years and years.

[@troygregoire5054]

How many screws, what type and how long were they?

[@OutdoorBeards]

2.5 inch pocket hole screws and 2.5 inch construction screws. Not sure how many it took.

[@Kenneth-gp9lk]

Beautiful Bench! Would you recommend this for someone who weighs 325 - 350 lbs?

[@OutdoorBeards]

I got a buddy that weighs 300 and it holds him without a problem

[@Kenneth-gp9lk]

@@OutdoorBeards Thank you so much!

[@Karlthebarber]

What is that stand that you placed your miter saw on?

[@OutdoorBeards]

It’s a Dewalt miter saw stand. I’m pretty sure it would work with other saws though.

[@stevekoffron5127]

What size screws did you use and also what dimension of drillbit did use when using that blue jig that allows you to toenail the screws thank you

[@OutdoorBeards]

That jig is a called a pocket hole jig. It comes with a drill bit specific for it. I used 2 and 1/4 pocket screws.

[@eddieespinosa8743]

Nice bench

[@K-zq6tp]

Great work and thx for sharing!

[@dheadricl]

Did you use pocket hole screws or just regular like wood screws, or does it matter??

[@OutdoorBeards]

I used pocket hole screws. No it doesn’t matter but the heads of regular screws are different than pocket hole screws and they tend to drive too far if you’re not careful.

[@Fla_Photography_Travel]

nice. thanks. will try do this. ✌️

[@JosephSastreShowsYou]

I like this. Thank you.

[@adhenge]

How long should the screws be?

[@OutdoorBeards]

I used 2.5 inch pocket screws and 2.5 inch construction screws.

[@BenDover-j8x]

@@OutdoorBeardsI didn’t ever catch how many screws I will be needing

[@OutdoorBeards]

@@BenDover-j8x I didn’t count. I just had a small box of both and that was enough.

[@DREVY82]

Well done

[@glogangOW]

Great vid gonna give it a go

[@leebriand5305]

Didn’t see the cut list anywhere

[@OutdoorBeards]

It’s at the 1:00 mark

[@jonaton202]

What’s a toobye?

[@Luts-a]

2 by 4 or 2 x 4. Referring to the thickness and width of the wood.

[@gsilcoful]

Very nice.

[@ArtClark-ub7ce]

Well done you! Cheers!

[@neilschmid4991]

Don't worry if you don't have pipe clamps but who the hell has a pocket hole jig?

[@goosebumpsmylegs]

Once you get a jig you will wonder how you lived without it! I love my Kreg jig, but there are so many good ones out there

[@eldonbeyea393]

to fast for me, I like to learn

[@Oliver-Klozehoff]

What size screws you using

[@OutdoorBeards]

The pocket screw are the ones for 1.5 inch wood. I think they are 2.25. Could be off on that. Anytime I used a regular screw they were 2.5 inch.

[@Oliver-Klozehoff]

@@OutdoorBeards thank you for the info. Im going to try to build this exact bench. It’s my first time building something. Any advice for a first time builder?

[@OutdoorBeards]

@amart63 what a great question. I have some good ones from different mentors I’ve had over the years. Enjoy the process. It’s one of those “the journey is more important than the destination” things. The process of building is where the joy comes from. Normally when I finish something I am proud and a little sad at the same time. Mistakes are a good thing, see them as such. They teach you more than success. We work with things that are dangerous, I have a 3/4 thumb as evidence, respect your tools but don’t fear them. Fear makes you tense up and is the worst thing to be when using power tools. Don’t compare your work to others, compare it to your previous works. I think that’s the best one for a new builder. People will be amazed at your finished project while you will know every flaw. Have fun and let me know how it turns out!

[@Oliver-Klozehoff]

@@OutdoorBeards that is great advice. I took a screen shot of it so I can look at it and reference during the process. Thank you for your time once I’m done I’ll reach out to you see if I can send you some pics. Thank you again you really helped. Also you said that when your done your proud but sad that it’s complete, that is the same feeling I get when I’m done building a lego set or when I assembled all the furniture in my house. I’m sure this is going to bring lots of excitement into my life and I will try to enjoy the process. Thank you again sir

[@OutdoorBeards]

You can email the pics to [e-mail] I look forward to seeing it! Side note: I grew up on legos. Miss those days.