Comments on: Simple Bench Made From 2×4’s

By: Gail Wilson

Gail Wilson — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 23:19:47 +0000

In reply to Don.

Don,

Wow! Thanks for letting me know you used my idea for the easy 2×4 benches! 🙂

Welcome back!
gail

By: Don

Don — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 22:17:13 +0000

In reply to Cinder. I am a traditional woodworker (hand tools only). Had some scrap 2x4s from building my house. I used your plan about a year ago. Made 2 benches. I love these benches. It's a very good plan. Lost your website and just now found it.

By: Gail Wilson

Gail Wilson — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 22:01:07 +0000

In reply to Cinder. I'm so happy you figured it out. I looked and looked for more images that would help you out. You sound a lot like me, very determined, and not a quitter!!! I hope you LOVE your benches! gail

By: Cinder

Cinder — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:47:25 +0000

I think I am okay now. I had to literally construct an end from scraps to the get the right measurements. The end boards are 12″ – that was really the one measurement that I needed.

By: Cinder

Cinder — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 17:42:26 +0000

Maybe I am more confused that I thought LOL…in the frame, is there not an inner 2×4 and an outer one – on each side? The pics depict that so that is what I am going by…again – sorry for so many questions.

By: Cinder

Cinder — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:22:38 +0000

Gsail – thanks for responding – that helps! I think my difficulty is that you are using old wood that has shrunk and I am using standard measurements for new wood. So your old 2x4s that frame the slats – they most likely measure 3.25″ (rather than 3.5″). Otherwise the full width of the seat would be 18″ (3.5 + 3.5 + 11) rather than 17.5 (probably 3.25 + 3.25 + 11). But that’s fine, now that I have figured that out.

I understand that the the 11″ slats sit on the inside box – but are they flush with the outside edge of the inner box or are they sitting in the middle of the 2×4 edge? I am trying to determine if the long outside 2x4s that are laid flat on the top – are they resting on the inside box at all or are they only secured to the outside box? (Just seems like they might warp if they didn’t have a second support point – but that is probably more an issue with new wood of course.) I hope this is clear – I think if I could see a pic of the underside of the bench it would be clearer. Sorry to be a pain with all the questions but I really do love the bench and want to make one!

By: Gail Wilson

Gail Wilson — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 14:59:50 +0000

In reply to Cinder.

Hi again! I’m so happy you found this tutorial. All of the short slats rest on top of the long 2×4’s. The left and right side hang over the side, as do the long front and back board.
I searched all my photos to try to find a better image to clear things up, but no luck.
Let me know if you have more questions. I think if you follow it step by step, it may make sense as you move along. At least I hope you!

gail

By: Gail Wilson

Gail Wilson — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 14:50:11 +0000

In reply to Cinder.

Cinder,

I’m so sorry to have confused you. Looking at the pictures, I think what I meant was, the BENCH base is 14 inches wide. The overall measurement of the SEAT atop of the bench is 17.5 wide. There is an overhang of the seat, making it wider than the base it rests on. 🙂
I sure hop that helps clear it up.

gail

By: Cinder

Cinder — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 22:58:38 +0000

“The end pieces were made so that the simple bench would be about 14 inches wide. ”

In your comments below, you say that the bench is 17.5″ wide.

This is SO confusing! What is the actual finished width of the bench?

By: Cinder

Cinder — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 22:53:03 +0000

I can’t tell from the pictures how the slats are placed (the pics are not really showing the placement), so I am unable to figure out how to build this from your pics, without more info. Are the slats sitting on the edge of the inside box? Or do they overhang to the outside box?