84 http://www.popularmechanics.co.za _ AUGUST 2017
THIS EASY-TO-MAKE PINE SLAT BENCH CAN BE FINISHED
IN YOUR CHOICE OF WOOD TINT AND PAINT COLOUR.Easy slat bench
IN INTERVIEWING DIY DIVAS for this issue, we asked them for an easy
project that can be tackled by home handymen who have a modicum
of experience but don’t have a workshop full of woodworking power
tools. What they suggested was this slatted seat that’s as at home around
the dining room table as it is outdoors in the garden. The DIY Divas
method used a Kreg Pockethole Jig so that screws are out of sight, but
if you don’t own a pockethole jig you can join with conventional methods.It’s done in Woodoc Gel Stain in imbuia, finished with
Woodoc 5 Polywax Sealer and a base painted with Rust-
Oleum Chalked paint in Aged Grey.
The slat bench measures 1 200 mm in length, but you can
easily modify this if you need a shorter or longer bench for
an entrance or hallway, or to use with a dining table.DIY
Divas
PROJECT
MATERIALS
4 of 32 x 67 x 1200 mm pine – seat slats
4 of 32 x 67 x 368 mm pine – legs
2 of 32 x 67 x 284 mm pine – seat support
2 of 32 x 67 x 230 mm pine – side rail
1 of 32 x 67 x 950 mm pine – bottom rail
1 of 32 x 67 x 878 mm pine – top rail
2 of 22 x 44 x 224 mm pine – seat slat cross piece
32 mm pockethole screws
Woodoc gel stain in your choice of tint
Woodoc 5 or 10 interior sealer*
Rust-Oleum Chalked ultra matt paint
*If you plan to have the slat bench outdoors, finish
with Woodoc 30/35 or 50/55 exterior sealer.TOOLS
l Drill/driver plus assorted bits
l Kreg pockethole jig kit (Kreg K4 was used)
l Jigsaw or mitre saw
l Orbital sander plus 120- and 240-grit
sanding pads
l Tape measure and pencil
l Paintbrushes