Plans

Free DIY Furniture Plans To Build a PotteryBarn Inspired Chesapeake Picnic Bench for Under $25

03.10.11 By //

We covered plans for the table yesterday, found here, and now we are working on the bench! Yay, I love it when we finish a set or a collection, feels wonderful! Even if it is only virtual building for me, it still feels wonderful, just like progress in real life! The original pieces will cost $999 for the set, ours can all be built for less than $100! Much less since this bench will come in under $25, so that makes a set of 3 pieces closer to $80!!! A savings of more than $900! yahoo… spring is in the air, am I right?

As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!

Under $25

  • 1 – 2×3 at 6’
  • 1 – 2×6 at 6’
  • 5 – 2×4 at 8’
  • 5 – 2×3 at 12 3/4” Bench Supports
  • 2 – 2×6 at 14 3/4” Bench Top
  • 4 – 2×4 at 61” Bench Top
  • 3 – 2×4 at 23” Legs
  • 6 – 2×4 at 11” Legs
  • 4 – 2×4 at 22” Truss Supports

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Build your Bench Top: Join the Boards to the Outer Bread Boards using your pocket hole system set for 1 1/2” stock and your 2 1/2” pocket hole screws and glue. Be sure to use glue that is applicable for outdoor projects. Space the Boards 1/4” apart.

Attach the Bench Supports : Use your pocket hole system set for 1 1/2” stock and your 2 1/2” pocket hole screws and glue to attach the Supports or use 2 1/2” screws from the top of the table top and be sure to countersink. The Supports will sit back 1” from the front/back edges and 1 1/2” from the side edges, and should be spaced as shown below. These are not spaced equally I realize, but this is to allow for the center leg unit later.

Fasten the Legs in Place: You want the height of your X-Shape to be about 15 1/2” and the width of your X to be the width of your Table Supports from the previous step. You should measure and mark for your exact dimensions but you will likely be mitering the legs at about 60 Degrees give or take. 3 of your leg pieces will be whole (green) and the other 6 will be halved (blue) and I chose to alternate which is which so that the outside 2 are the same and the center is the reverse. To fasten the legs together, use your pocket hole system set for 1 1/2” stock and your 2 1/2” pocket hole screws and glue. To fasten to the Bench, use 2 1/2” screws and secure to the table supports on the outside, or use your pocket hole system set for 1 1/2” stock and your 2 1/2” pocket hole screws and glue to secure to the table top. or both…

Attach the Truss Supports: Measure each section (all 4) and Miter for exact fit and angle with an approximate 60 Degree angle on the side that will fasten to the Legs, and a pointed arrow shape with approximate 2 1/2” and 2 3/4” sections as shown below mitered at 135 degrees (approximately, so be sure before you cut). Fasten to the bench top, the supports, and the legs using your pocket hole system set for 1 1/2” stock and your 2 1/2” pocket hole screws and glue.

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidental and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Affiliate links are used for tools and materials. The Design Confidential will earn a small commission for any items purchased using these links. Thank you for your support – every little bit counts!

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