DIY Dining Bench

Place one of the 20-inch by 21-inch sheets of plywood on your work space so the 20-inch edges are horizontal. Position one 1-inch by 1-inch board on top of the plywood so it is parallel with the 20-inch edge and 4 inches away. Pre-drill four evenly spaced 3/32-inch holes through the board and halfway through the plywood. Screw the board to the plywood. Repeat with the other 20-inch by 21-inch plywood and 1-inch by 1-inch board. These are the sides of the dining bench.

Countersink four holes through both 20-inch sides of the 36-inch sheet of plywood. The holes should be evenly spaced, with the centers 1/2 inch from the 20-inch edge. Position the sides of the dining bench so they stand vertically, 36 inches apart. Both boards should be between the plywood and toward the top. Lay the 36-inch sheet of plywood on top of the boards fastened to the sides of your bench, and screw the plywood to the boards using the countersunk holes. The 20-inch sides of each piece of plywood should be parallel.

Drill two holes on each side of the bench so they are centered 15 inches from each 21-inch side. Make the first hole 10 inches from the bottom; make the second hole 12 inches from the bottom. Countersink a 3/8-inch hole that is 1/4-inch deep in each pre-drilled hole. Position the 1-inch by 4-inch board between the bench sides so it is parallel with the bench top, and so the holes on both sides of the bench are centered on the ends of the board. Screw through the bench sides and into the board. This board will provide support for the bench.

Fill the holes around the screw heads with wood putty and let it dry, according to instructions. Sand the bench with the medium and then fine sandpaper. Wipe the bench. Apply wood stain. Let the stain dry, according to instructions.