A social bench is a great addition for your garden or patio. The difference is that it has a middle table perfect to share with a drink with. The Get it Done team will show the right tools to use and the easy steps on how to Get it Done.
You will need:
| Tools | Materials |
| Compound Mitre Saw | Meranti 20mm thick (PAR) |
| PST 18 Jigsaw | Base frame front and back 70mm x 1200 – 2 pieces |
| GMR 1 router | Base frame sides 70mmx 500 – 2 pieces |
| PSR 10.8 Cordless drill Driver | Legs 70mm x 600mm – 6 pieces |
| PSR 18 Cordless Drill Driver | Chair frame sides 50mm x 450 – 8 pieces |
| PEX 220 Eccentric/Random Orbital sander | Chair frame front/back 50mm x 410mm – 6 pieces |
| Primo sander | Chair slats 75mm x 410mm – 16 pieces (cut bottom slats to exact size on set) |
| Chair cleats 20 x 20mm x 410mm – 12 pieces (includes table cleats) | |
| Table frame front 50mm x 260 mm – 2 pieces | |
| Table frame sides 50mm x 450 mm – 2 pieces | |
| Table legs 50mm x 200mm – 4 pieces | |
| Table slats 70mm x 450mm – 6 pieces (cut to exact size on set) | |
| Cut screws 4 x 30 mm | |
| Cut screws 4 x 40mm | |
| Cut screws – 4 x 70mm | |
| Wood glue | |
| Clear varnish (coloured varnish can also work) |
Steps to Follow:
- This is really a frame upon a frame. Whilst it seems simple it needs a bit of thought to make it all come together.
- Making the main frame
- Cut your four pieces to size and mark out for your pilot holes of where the piece will join together.
- Drill pilot holes
- Join all four pieces together with screws
- Seat Frames
- Join your seat frames together just like you did with your main frame
- Measure out your slats so that they fit into the seat frames
- Cut your slats to size
- Cut 2 cleats to size to fit onto the top and bottom of each seat frame
- Drill holes into cleats on both sides (for attaching to frame and to slats) Mark out where to drill the holes by using an actual slat as a spacer.)
- Attach cleats to the top and bottom of each frame
- Attach slats to the seat frames using cleats. Keep your spacing even throughout.
- Attach seats to main frame
- Backrest Frames
- Cut angle into the back frames using an accurate saw (choose angle that suits your style)
- Attach cleats and slats as before
- Fasten onto the seat frame .
- Legs and arm rests
- Cut legs to size (also find the angle you want and cut slant)
- Cut arm rests to size and round off with router – shape front corners with jigsaw
- Attach the legs to the frame and chair using a spirit level (use one leg as a template to cut other legs)
- Centre table
- Make frame just as before by measuring and then cutting
- Add your slats to the frame
- Measure and cut legs to size
- Join the legs to the top
- Attach legs to the centre of the bench
- Sand and varnish
Get the plans