The Family Handyman – August 2019

54 JULY/AUGUST 2019 FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM

Wedge

Stretcher

Top board

Edge boards

Tenon

Seat

brace

8

SECURE THE STRETCHER TO THE LEGS

Use clamps to pull the stretcher shoulders tight against the legs,

and drive in wedges or shims to snug the tenon tight against the seat

brace. Drive screws through the seat brace into the tenon.

9

COMPLETE THE SEAT BRACES

Add the two top boards, then install the edge boards along

the four edges of the bench. Drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the

edge boards.

of the legs or the flat area where the

mortise cutout will be.

Cut the leg blanks in half as shown

in Photo 6. They’re 3 in. thick, so you’ll

need to cut from both sides. Dry-fit the

pieces to be sure the parts fit tightly

together. Butt the tops of the legs

together, then place the seat brace (B)

and bottom leg plate (C) in their

respective positions. Make sure the

stretcher fits into the opening between

the legs. Also, be sure the ends of the

legs sit flat against the seat brace and

bottom plate; you may need to do a

little sanding or trimming until the

pieces fit tight. Once all systems are a

go, apply construction adhesive to the

ends of the legs, cinch the tops

together with a clamp, position the

seat brace and bottom leg plate (B and

C) and then secure them with 3-1/2-in.

exterior screws (Photo 7). Repeat for

the other leg assembly.

Build the bench

Having built the leg assemblies, you’ve

done the hardest part. Cut, shape and

install the bench stretcher (E) as shown

in Figure A and Photo 8.

Fasten the seat braces (B) to the

stretcher, then position the two 2x8

top boards (F); they should run past

the outer seat braces by about 6 in.

Fasten the top boards with 2-1/2-in.

washer-head screws. Install the

2-1/4-in. edge boards (Photo 9).

Apply two coats of exterior finish;

I used a semitransparent deck stain.

Finally, screw on the feet (D). I recom-

mend using white oak for the feet

because it’s rot resistant. To keep your

benches in tiptop shape, set them up

on 2x4 blocks and cover them with a

tarp before winter strikes.

MORE

ONLINE!

To find the article

and plans for the

matching table, search

for “viking long table” at

familyhandyman.com.