How to Design and Build This Cool Modern Bench

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This week I designed and built this bench with a modern design and a Japanese influence. The leg and brace design make this bench incredibly strong and I’m confident that the bench can support several hundred pounds. ( At least three grown men). I designed and built the bench with my three teenage sons in mind. The entire cost for this project is just about forty dollars. There is a drawing, material list and plans on my website.
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Woodworking Products:
Bosch 10-Inch Dual Bevel Axial-Glide Compact Miter Saw: amzn.to/2M7Pm7G
24" Sure-Foot Aluminum Bar Clamp: amzn.to/2JArKtL
48" Sure-Foot Aluminum Bar Clamp: amzn.to/2M3t4nr
Powermatic 10-inch 3 Horsepower Tablesaw: amzn.to/2JzZesk
Hitachi 10 inch Sliding Compound Dual Lever Miter: amzn.to/2LxLpZ1
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2 Combo Kit: amzn.to/2JhwYeO
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt 7 1/4 in. Circular Saw: amzn.to/2JzZNlW
DEWALT DW2567#6 Countersink 9/64-Inch Drill Bit: amzn.to/2sJqk5K
Jet Drum Sander: amzn.to/2Lt7FD6
BOSTITCH 1-Tool and Compressor Combo Kit: amzn.to/2Jhc9jr
Flexzilla Air Hose, 3/8 in. x 50 ft: amzn.to/2sN7L0F
3m(TM) Half Facepiece Respirator (Dust mask): amzn.to/2sF6Ekg
Titebond II Premium Wood Glue: amzn.to/2JIgF70
3M Paint Project Respirator: amzn.to/2M7gQdK
Milwaukee 18-volt Compound Miter Saw: amzn.to/2JoGybT
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Zero-G 50ft Hose: amzn.to/2sDaASS
Greenworks Hedge trimmer: amzn.to/2M4ZFcN
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[@JonPetersArtHome]

This week I designed and built this bench, it’s a modern design with a Japanese influence. The leg and brace design make this bench incredibly strong and I’m confident that the bench can support several hundred pounds. ( At least three grown men). I designed and built the bench with my three teenage sons in mind. The entire cost for this project is just about forty dollars. There is a drawing, material list and plans on my website. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you enjoyed the video.

[@sirbeanie6654]

Jon Peters Art & Home awesome

[@pekkaala-jaakkola7641]

Alister Beechey .

[@sizableone1]

First class Jon, very instructional........ I learned so much.

[@petecirca1979]

Beautiful work. Very nice.

[@awdx4g63]

I bet you the material is about $100 today.

[@craftedworkshop]

Outstanding work, Jon. That looks great. We don't really get Douglas Fir down here, and I don't like the way SYP looks as much. That turned out great!

[@ModernBuilds]

This came out awesome Jon! I really learned a lot from it. Thanks.

[@738polarbear]

That is a stylish little bench .It amazed me how a simple taper really jazzed it up.THAT is a cross cut sled.

[@WorksforMe]

dang, missed out on this one, this is a woodworker's classic which is going to last forever. (I built the "farmhouse" version from one of the chicks that runs a website, no disrespect but I am not a fan of plans that call for a million pocket holes.)

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

Yo, the dowel trick is super neat. Took me a sec. to figure out what you meant. Much stronger screw point. Hoping all is well, Dirty Jersey out!!

[@davidatkins6919]

Nice looking bench with great design! I've got to build this one!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Cool! Thanks… Go for it!

[@jaredvincent1067]

nice to see a great project with affordable big box store materials. Great work.

[@tropicalheritagebonsaiandl8377]

It's not furniture... it's a piece of art... loved every second of each, the way it was built to precision. thanks for sharing

[@SydneyBrown1]

Glad to have found the channel and love this 'art' build. It's inspirational (and aspirational) for a beginner like myself.

[@karldunne5595]

Great work!!!!.... Japanese furniture usually looks good with lighter coloured woods... But you could do a video on Japanese furniture of Darker colours.. Cheers.

[@19Photographer76]

Hard to believe you got that 4x4 at Home Depot. If that was number 2, someone slipped up, it's almost clear. Living in Oregon you'd think I could find something that clean all the time, not so.

[@4jeg]

Thanks ! Would love to see you use some more natural / less toxic finishes (Vermont natural coatings, hemp oil etc). Thanks for the great work!!

[@EveryWhichWayButLost]

I wonder what that $32 would cost now! Nice bench. I have a nice slab of Snow Gum for the top. I like the tapered legs

[@petrblaha6618]

Hi there! My question is not exactly about the video, but... What is your experience with PU Glue in woodworking?? Thanks.

[@allanpaganini]

Hi Jon How are you? Happy New Year for you and your Family . So, The your project is beautiful. Congratulations.

[@timothynguyen6673]

It's 2024 - material cost has gone up, but this design is timeless! Beautiful!

[@michaelshadow9807]

Thanks for the video. Awesome project. Haha $32 worth of wood. I wish. I loved the plywood clamped to your sled to help stabilize large pieces. I will be doing this next time.

[@davidletz9123]

Hello Jon, I know this project is a bit old now, but I wanted to ask why you cut the half lap joints on the legs after you did the complete leg glue-up. Seems like the legs were a bit unwieldy on the crosscut sled, as opposed to just the 61/4 x 31/4 board itself. Thanks.

[@aaronstill]

Can't believe how cheap for all that timber here in the U.K. That would cost over £100 and that's for pine

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

32 dollars? Sure this video isn't from 1970?

[@w0lf1969]

Nice job but, now I'm watching this 6 years later. $32 then is $300 now.

[@The_man_himself_67]

Greetings from 2021. $32 for all that wood! In the UK we would kill for those prices!

[@alessandropaluselli8362]

good job. what kind of wood it is? what kind of finish you used? very beautiful, simple, linear, natural!

[@gerardosimonetti9361]

Great job! Regards from Brazil liked and subscribed!

[@tonylozano8574]

Your Bosch miter saw cut beautifully: which saw blade did you use? I seem to get chipping on my blade.

[@havenisse2009]

Real nice. Although in my eyes could use a little "imperfection". Especially if used outside. . It would be interesting to know how you would build this with limited tools. This bench has $32 materials and $9000 machines.

[@ThePapabear2012]

havenisse2009 if you want to see how to do all this in a budget check out Paul Sellers channel. You can accomplish everything with a very limited budget. All the power tools are just time savers.

[@bighands69]

Havenisse2009 Learn to do planing by hand. If you then want to speed the process up use a power planer from the likes of Makita, Festool or Dewalt. You could have the wood planed up by hand in about 1 day when you get reasonably good at it. I can make a complete table in about one day by hand.

[@germcrazyshokoff3623]

I’m trying to figure out which of your comments annoys me more: the “imperfection” one or the one where you give a professional craftsman crap about having a full workshop.

[@AlexC-fm4tb]

This is all wonderful, but not really DIY for the avg person that doesn't have their own professional wood shop and equipment!

[@cherylmatthews4066]

Yes old fashion yards feet and inches. 😀🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@wesjohnson4745]

Hey Jon, What type of roller did you use when applying the water based Poly. Currently finishing a shelf and would like to roll it on instead of using brush to minimize the streaks.

[@AlexStap]

Any tips on how you could flatten the jointed bench top, if you didnt have access to a large Power Planner or Drum Sander?

[@larrybriski4896]

Jon, I enjoyed the build. This is the kind of thing one can give away as gifts. Did you leave the seat edges square or round them over?

[@CHLA94]

Very nice Jon! Softwood is just about all us Brits can get our hands on so it's nice to see what you can do with some. Another great video.

[@BandasPalette]

Jon. You made 32 dollars look like 3,000. Looks great man!!

[@lesley4927]

Good job I like it

[@blasketblasket4448]

Add up all those tools and you'll see it was more like $10k.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

REALLY like this bench! Simple but beautiful clean lines, great job John

[@garthwebster6433]

Awesome bench. Where can one find riftsawn doug fir 4x4s?

[@jorgeshicken]

kinda sounds like an acoustic rendition of "beast of burden" at 6:00

[@cbr900son]

Love it but id cut the 2x6's ends with maybe a 5 or 7 degree cut

[@TheHerminator3000]

How long did this build take. Love the results. Simple elegant lines

[@cat5dookie1]

I will use this design. The only thing different I will do is put a V in the table legs to give it a look like its 4 legs. I'm using walnut so all the thicknesses will be much thinner. Thanks!

[@007mavrick1]

hi. is that something you could sell. how much would that go for if you were. many thanks.

[@alfieromeo4709]

Jon- What thickness did you mill the brace to? I don't see that in the plans (I may just be missing seeing it). You show 571/4x41/2...but, I don't see what thickness you milled to. I am in the middle of doing this build, but just realized this info is missing. Thank you for your time.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

I’m not sure but probably around 13/8 there are new professional plans on my site if you want to check them out.

[@kevincolburn95]

Always great work. Something extra special about this one. Really good walk through and reminded me a lot of old Norm videos. Excellent project and video.

[@proximodaniele]

Bravissimo Jon ! Un vero Capolavoro .... Tecniche di giunzioni fenomenali ..... Complimenti

[@jimmyharveycastrobarreto3058]

Hello Jon, It's so nice to watch your videos and your differents proyects, I really enjoy each one of them, thank you so much, greetings from Bogota- Colombia.........................

[@mannyg663]

Nice. I just wish I have all the equipment used in making this bench.

[@levisoriano1]

Can you show us a little more about expanding and contraction please?

[@tooljunkie555]

very nice bench jon! i like how u attatched the top with those oak pieces. id like this for the kitchen/dining table im currently building like the joinery

[@heforgave]

Looking forward to your videos in 2017!

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Beautiful bench Jon, I'm sure it will bring you many years of enjoyment.

[@OmarSanchez-fg2hu]

Excelente trabajo, saludos.

[@climatechangelumber5480]

way cool. I'm going to build a version of this for sure.

[@Ufimskiy]

Thanks for the vid, Jon. I also like the look of Douglas Fur. But I'm worried that after time it's gonna turn yellow anyway(UV)so I normally apply at least a little stain to avoid that. What do you think ? Thanks

[@garymccoy2888]

Just left Home Depot and Lowe's ...HD ( in Carrollton, TX ) no longer carries any Douglas Fir lumber. Lowe's only carries the 4X4 posts. I am going to build the bench out of the straightest/clearest construction lumber I could pick at Lowe's. Hope it works out.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Nice ! sounds good Gary, enjoy the build.

[@fwanknmt]

Beautiful work. Why do you feel the lag screws are necessary? That lap joint looks very strong with just the glue. Thanks!

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Yeah, just what I was thinking. I guess he really likes things to hold together...

[@TheAllanMarshall]

I hope you do more Japanese inspired projects. This was great!

[@hankscarangella7975]

I don’t have a biscuit jointer. What is a good alternative?

[@steenfraosterbro3268]

Hi Jon. I follow lots of woodworkers here on youtube. You are one of the few that combines great woodworking skills with a equally great sense of design and dimensions. This is really a beautiful bench. Thanks

[@kstone8292]

Great project, very nicely done. I am a wood worker, incapable of doing the artwork but I love to cook as well. I must say I enjoy all your videos, cooking, art, and woodworking. You have an excellent KZbin channel. I highly recommend your channel to friends and acquaintances. Everything is wonderfully done, TOP NOTCH.

[@Magicmike12345]

I really like this. Looks good n well thought out. I think you could refine the cross peice. Back cutting or adding a radius. Still a top job. Keep them coming.

[@myenjoyablehobbies]

I like it, very, very nice work, you took rough carpentry lumber, and gave it a fine furniture use, and look to it. Very elegant work.

[@EasyFold007]

Great project...maybe the unexpected problem with your thicknesser is that the bench top being to wide to fit through 😂😂😂😂😂...Keep it up 👍 👍

[@jbb5470]

Very nice Jon! Thanks for your video

[@dannyherrera1740]

Very Nice John! Really cool design, going to try it....and only 32 bucks, you cant beat that. Thank You!!!

[@terrywong7879]

Nice results. No too many wood workers left to appreciate the beauty of wood and the time it takes for the trees to grow.

[@oldcodger]

Nice looking bench. Working on a project for our local town library and want to propose we build this to go with new bookcases and a desk for the books on hold checkout area. The bench would be for patrons to drop their book bags on while checking out. Thanks for posting this!

[@TheDIDSBIAK]

I love how you made the clips to join the top to the legs

[@robira1313]

Great looking bench, Jon! I didn't quite understand the purpose of the "clips" under the bench. Are they necessary?

[@momapes]

I LOVE Japanese influenced furniture- it is timeless and this design is wonderful! Can this be made w/o the plainer and sander? I also don't have a table saw anymore. Would it just be a very rough design or would you recommend not even making it w/o the proper tools? Thanks so much for designing this, Jon.

[@luggerneversleeps573]

Awesome bench. Love the idea of using Douglas fir. Do you bring a moisture meter with you when you purchase? Found that most around me is 14-16% still

[@matthewkelly99]

Jon, As always you hit it out of the park. I can't quite put my finger on why, but your channel is my favorite. do you ever do meet and greet's? I would very much enjoy meeting you for many reasons but mostly because I am thinking about launching a channel of my own! I would very much appreciate the opportunity to ask you a few questions about your channel, and I would be willing to compensate you for you time. I'll leave it at that. I hope to hear back from you, Jon. Respectively, Matthew D. Kelly

[@alfieromeo4709]

Jon- Why wouldn't you use the table saw to cut the leg taper? Why the band saw? Seems way slower, and harder to get a straight cut with band saw.

[@OneSun11]

WOW... Beautiful Bench. Incredible workmanship. Thank you you for making the video

[@germcrazyshokoff3623]

Hey Jon. Great build! I just finished mine yesterday and wanted to say thank you for the guidance! I haven’t built much furniture with construction lumber and am hoping, if you have a moment, you can set me straight on sanding. The top of this bench came out ridiculously smooth after sanding but also ridiculously uneven/wavy thanks to the huge difference in density between the lighter/darker areas. Am I just being too aggressive with the sanding, in general, and removing more of the softer wood than I need to? Or is there a specific process for sanding construction lumber of which I am unaware that will help keep things more even as I go? (I assume I’m just being too aggressive as I have a tendency to do that with everything but I’m hoping there’s something else I’m missing because it’s tough for me to not overdo things!). Thanks!

[@frankingram3382]

Hey, if you can't do what you want to do why go to the trouble? I enjoy your channel Jon. I'll watch whatever you record. If I don't care for the content, it'll be over in 8 to 20 minutes. God Bless my friend.

[@mrlifetime64]

very simple- clean -nice- I'm going to build one using some walnut dowels for accent- thank you...jon

[@renecoello9925]

happy new year. exquisite .con mucha pasion.muchas gracias.

[@havelovewilltravel777]

Fantastic job. John your videos inspire me and teach me a great deal. Please keep at it. You should maybe consider Patreon, I know I would support you. Thanks for all the work you put into this channel.

[@laanyan]

Great one! I'm building a farm table and I love this bench for it! I like the direction the channel is going. Keep doing the art! Also, as I was watching this, my six year old daughter glances over and goes, "Dadda, are you gonna build that for my restaurant?" She actually does like to cook and helps out in the kitchen regularly. She has this idea for a lemonade stand/restaurant by the side of the road.

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Ha ha ! :) That's great, thanks!

[@tvaiana1]

Make sure your daughter gets a permit for her restaurant and always be ready when health inspectors show up!

[@sjbl1962]

Nice build Jon. I am looking forward to the video schedule as well. My son and I are looking for a full sized, floor model jointer, our bench top model has met its match since we moved making larger furniture. Any recommendation on a jointer?

[@mikedisimile2478]

It’s beautiful and great job explaining everything thank you

[@dianeclemmer1344]

Beautiful ❤️ absolutely perfect! Love you're cleats! They add that little extra!

[@mburke1211]

I’m a little late to this party - just catching up on some of your older content. I wonder how much the material cost has risen since you built this piece?😕 I’m wondering how that water based polyurethane is holding up, or how often it would need to be redone. I’m thinking about building an outdoor cabinet with similar material and finish. Love your work!

[@zaccomusic]

good video want to be friend?

[@xray1292]

Great job, and nice bench, You convert 32 dollars into a design shop bench, which would cost much more. Greetings from Chile

[@cristianderjy7751]

Superb bench and wonderful work! I like that.

[@rwe2156]

Excellent video presentation. Like to see teaching and explanation not fast motion video everybody else seems to do. I admire your sense of design and sound ww'ing technique you should be doing a TV show!!

[@TheAseelken]

Great looking bench, looks sturdy but elegant. Think I would add some more tapers here and there. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@teslarian]

You made it look easy, Jon. Wonderful build. Learned alot. Thanks

[@SDavis2702]

I'm brand spankin' new to woodworking but I'm really enjoying your videos so far. Subscribed. Looking forward to learning a lot in 2017!

[@meanders9221]

Sweet design, massive and solidly planted but refined. We don't get doug fir of that quality on the west coast, at least not at home centers. Especially liked the white oak table buttons, shaped so they contribute to the appeal if anyone should look underneath. That's an idea I'll keep for future use.

[@artconnolly9519]

I really like transforming building grade lumber to high end furniture. I just finished a marble topped kitchen table for my friend completly made from 2x4's. But of coarse you can't tell.

[@afidram]

You must be proud - nice project! Keep it up, bud. Definitely will be making this one. Have made your blanket chest years ago and a version of your headboard. As always, very approachable projects.

[@SimgoWood]

is that construction grade lumber you can get in your area?

[@TIMLASHLEY]

love your videos awesome build

[@SvenPHX]

I really like the idea. To my eye, though, the brace looks unfinished and the top looks a little long. Japanese furniture I've seen in that style would typically have shaped embellishments on the ends of the cross brace and maybe some curvature along its length to give it some visual appeal.

[@dstarr3]

On your previous video, I didn't much care for the design of the legs. But seeing them in the context of the complete piece, I definitely do appreciate them more. Lovely stuff.

[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

Very impressive results. I like to build almost any project that I can build for low cost with lumber from Home Depot. We can do amazing work with plain old construction lumber.

[@marioenriquez1764]

Great bench Peter, I like the finish and how it preserves the natural look of the wood. By the way, beginner question alert, in 2:12 at the miter saw you make a shallow pass first then complete the cut at the return stroke. Why?

[@robira1313]

I hope he answers you, but I believe that is to avoid tearout. It gives a cleaner cut.