This is a great project for a simple bench to put outside in your garden or around the campfire. You can either stain it or let it "gray" naturally. It cost me about $45 at the local hardware store.

Step 1:

First, you have to gather your supplies. You'll need

8 cedar boards 1x4x16in (six with curve cuts if you want for the seat)
8 cedar boards 1x4x47in
4 cedar posts 4x417in
56 2-in deck screws
32 1 1/4-in deck screws (for seat slats)
and 1 qt. exterior oil finish if desired

I bought 6 -- 1x4x8' cedar boards and 1 -- 4x4x8' cedar post and had plenty of wood for the project, seen in the picture.

Step 2:

Secondly, you'll cut the boards to the desired length stated in the previous step and seen in this picture.

Step 3:

This is the most difficult step creating the curves in the seat. This step is optional and you could just create a flat seat bench instead. I took a 1x4x16 in and marked out two points on the edge 2 3/4" from the bottom, then in the middle a point 1 3/4" from the middle. Next part you might need a buddy to help you with. I took a bendable ruler and hit all three points creating a curve and drew the line. I then cut the board out on a band saw and used this board as the template for the other 5 boards you'll need to cut. Once finished I sanded them down a little but not a totally needed.

Step 4:

The next step is creating the frame for the bench seat. I started out by clamping the outer boards together. Pre-drill before screwing or your boards will splinter!

Once the outside of the seat is secure, you can start screwing in the inside ribs. The next two ribs from the outside are the leg post apart so put the post into the board and place the rib snug against the post and attach.

Finally, put in the next two ribs in the middle. I made mine 16 in from the outside of the frame on either side.

Step 5:

Next is putting the bench slats across the frame. Keep the outside to boards snug against the frame and space the other two boards evenly across the seat.

Step 6:

Once the seat is finished we can attach the legs. Make sure the legs are level and clamp them to the frame while you screw two screws on either side of the legs.

Step 7:

Last step is putting on the leg bracing. Stand the bench straight and measure 4 1/2" from the bottom of the legs. Start with the short boards first and then the longer boards. The long boards will over lap the end of the short boards.

This is the end of the project unless you want to stain it. I hope you've enjoyed this instructable and enjoy making your new bench.