Looking to build a garden bench
I'd like to do something like this bench with a table
all the measurements are in inches, would rather work in cm / mm to be honest but i guess i'd need to convert
can i buy a 2 x 4 in B&Q even?
alternatively is there somewhere else i can get plans in metric measurements?
Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.
A bench like this ideally should be made with hardwood but it would be very expensive. Softwood will rot as you cannot prevent rainwater from creeping into the joints and causing rot. It will have a short lifespan without being covered which rather defeats the object. If you go down the softwood route you need to paint preservative on all the component sides and edges before assembly and I would use frame sealant on all the joints. I think I would be inclined to buy one of these https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/jolpen-2-s ... -60515483/ you could junk it in a few years and get another and still be ahead of the game.
DWD
These users thanked the author dewaltdisney for the post:
i have used 6x2 CLS which is treated i made my bench and table with 25mm pads on the feet as replaceable as are the feet now 1 leg and 2 foot and 3 pads have been changed but only because they[2 benches and a table]sit on soil and or grass
none have ever had any extra Finnish at all clear and open to the elements with at least 6mm gaps between parallel timbers where possible to avoid trapped water now perhaps 10-12 years old and with the maintenance mentioned above still as good as new
now here's the only problem the table is heavy perhaps 60kg so a 2 man job to move so longevity over practical
These users thanked the author big-all for the post:
Agree with all of the above , treated timber , retreat cut ends , sacrificial feet and so on. I've just refurbed a garden bench for a customer but that was black gloss painted oak. To be honest I don't quite understand the problem of working in either metric or imperial they're only just arbitary marks on a tape and to be fair it's a garden bench so not really critical to be millimeter or 1/16" perfect. ..
These users thanked the author Grendel for the post:
I think garden benches are underused in the main as they are invariably uncomfortable to sit on and fall into the myth of 'I can see myself sitting there with a book and a glass of wine' line toshed out in TV programmes. We have a bench in our garden and I doubt we sit on it more than half an hour a year. We have more comfortable padded garden chairs but rarely use those either. It is either too hot, too cold, too windy, too many flies, or some other reason not to bother.
Be honest, how many people spend time in the garden apart from mowing etc. The odd BBQ?
dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:20 amhow many people spend time in the garden apart from mowing etc.
We do. Used to have a "bench style" seat but after a few years (and a lot of use) but no maintenance, it fell apart, now we have "wicker" chairs.
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Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.
dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:20 am
I think garden benches are underused in the main as they are invariably uncomfortable to sit on and fall into the myth of 'I can see myself sitting there with a book and a glass of wine' line toshed out in TV programmes. We have a bench in our garden and I doubt we sit on it more than half an hour a year. We have more comfortable padded garden chairs but rarely use those either. It is either too hot, too cold, too windy, too many flies, or some other reason not to bother.
Be honest, how many people spend time in the garden apart from mowing etc. The odd BBQ?
DWD
mid to late march till colder weather in september if i am at home i am in the garden or shed from about mid day to 9 oclock or earlier if dark an hour-ish indoors at three and again at half 6 but as my bench double as a woodwork bench [hence the immense timbers]
i enjoy the fresh air and the odd bit off woodwork
dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:20 am
how many people spend time in the garden apart from mowing etc. The odd BBQ?
DWD
We moved into our house over twenty years ago. Shortly afterwards I built a bench that wrapped around an apple tree. It was made of treated 3x2 frames staked into the ground with treated slats as seat and backrest. I removed it this year as it had succumbed to rot. So it had lasted quite well really but to actually answer your question we didn't really spend any real amount of time sitting on it. On the odd occasions I did I'd almost always look and see a weed that wanted pulling , or some crap that needed moving or job that wanted doing and I'd be up. Looked nice but yes not really used. On the good side I'd used brass screws and saved most of them...
These users thanked the author Grendel for the post:
The thing to remember here is that it's woodwork, not precision engineering the measurements are not going to have to be that critical. I work in both metric and imperial, sometimes on the same project
These users thanked the author bourbon for the post:
bourbon wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 1:02 pm
The thing to remember here is that it's woodwork, not precision engineering the measurements are not going to have to be that critical. I work in both metric and imperial, sometimes on the same project
Reminds me of that engineer who went on about getting accuracy to within a few thousandths of an inch. Got the huff when I said "a few thousandths ? No good for me , I have to get it spot on"...
Why don't you built it in western red cedar it will still need treating every couple of years if its good enough for a greenhouse its good enough for a bench. Totally agree about the time spent sat down outside and doing nothing, we have more sunshine but we just use some comfy fold up recliners "lafuma" so long lasting and nice and kind to the ar*** As for BBQs we do a lot of it, just ordered a new one as we wear them out, "Pit Boss Memphis Ultimate" best of both worlds duel fuel.
big-all wrote: ↑Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:45 pm
i have used 6x2 CLS which is treated i made my bench and table with 25mm pads on the feet as replaceable as are the feet now 1 leg and 2 foot and 3 pads have been changed but only because they[2 benches and a table]sit on soil and or grass
none have ever had any extra Finnish at all clear and open to the elements with at least 6mm gaps between parallel timbers where possible to avoid trapped water now perhaps 10-12 years old and with the maintenance mentioned above still as good as new
now here's the only problem the table is heavy perhaps 60kg so a 2 man job to move so longevity over practical
how do the pads work, is it just a 25mm piece cut off the leg and screwed in again , so it can be replaced?
any pictures of what it looks like?
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