RECYCLE A GARDEN BENCH

This is a green Instructable. If you have an old garden bench or park bench that is falling apart, "RECYCLE IT". This instructable only takes a few tools and a small amount of new wood such as oak, cypress, redwood, or even treated wood. I like oak hardwood myself, it just really looks nice after it is finished. 

Comments

[lesizz]

I have a very similar project planned. However I'm not sure I want to splurge for hardwood. Would 1x2 pine be strong enough for a bench such as this?

[lesteryoder]

I believe you would be OK with pine if you get good, straight grained pine with no knots. The pine will not be as strong as the oak hardwood but should give years of service if a good finish is applied and kept up. In this Instructable the top picture with the cross-hatched metal work back is my own personal bench and I used pine on it. (completed ‎June ‎2008) After five years it is now showing a lot of weathering because I have never refinished it but I set on it nearly every day while I am out with my dog. The bench with the all hardwood slats was done for a special friend and needed to be a first class project.(completed ‎July ‎2010) It still looks great after three years setting on a protected porch.

[finnindian]

try useing recyled pallet wood, as most shipping pallets are mage from mixed hardwoods. you will need a table saw to rip them into the long slats that you will need.

[samohtep]

I did this as well a few years ago. We had a similar looking bench in a garden a shady garden in the backyard. After years of wet summers, freezing winters, and hungry insects the boards were rotten. We used cherry wood for the new slats, 4 years on(covering it up during the winter) and it's still looking great.