I had the idea to make a garden bench for my garden, but wanted to keep it as cheap as possible, easy to move around and simple in design so it could be easily made again. So this is what I came up with. This is also a great beginners welding project and once the template is made multiples can be made quickly and easily.

Step 1: Watch the Video Below.

Have a look at the video above to see how to make this simple garden bench seat or follow the guide below. The overall length of mine is approx 50 inches but your measurements can be changed to meet your needs.

Step 2: Template.

I drew the bench side elevation on to some ¾ inch mdf. This was done to get a feel for the size of the bench and also for creating the form for bending the steel. The steel used was 30mm x 6mm and there are two lengths at 2.1 meters required for one bench.

Step 3: Making the Form.

I used some 75mm x 50mm wood I had to create the curved part of the form. Using an old tin can I marked a curve on the wood and cut it out using a jig saw.

Step 4: Making the Form Continued.

I fixed the first piece of 75mm x 50mm to the mdf with screws and then clamped one of the pieces of steel to it. Then I bent the steel around the curved part of the wood. (fair bit of force needed)

Step 5: Forming the Steel.

When the first part was bent I then attached the second piece of wood, again with screws and then bent the steel back around this form before then attaching the third piece and bending it back around again and clamping it to the form. Hope that makes sense!

Step 6: Forming the Back Rest.

Still in the form I then bent the steel to the angle I had drawn on the mdf earlier. This angle is about 7 degrees.

Step 7: Welding.

Using an angle grinder I cut of the excess steel at the front and the welded this to form the seating part.

Step 8: Cutting the Brackets.

Using the angle grinder again I cut scrap pieces of steel.These are the pieces where most of the bolts will be attached too.

Step 9: Welding.

I then welded there brackets to the seating part and back rest part of the bench.

Step 10: Grinding and Drilling Holes.

I then cleaned up all the welds with a grinding disc and then drilled holes in the steel to accept bolts for when attaching the seat and back rest.

Step 11: Painting.

I painted all the steel parts with 3 coats of a black outdoor paint. I used recycled wood that I had for the seat and back rest. This wood had been previously painted so I sanded it and then gave it 3 coats of paint. The wood was 260mm x 35mm in size.

Step 12: Assembly.

When all the paint was dried I put the pieces in position and drilled holes in the wood for the bolts to go through. The bolts were 50mm long carriage bolts.

Step 13: Securing Everything.

I tightened all the nuts with a spanner to secure everything together.

Step 14: That’s It.

This is the finished bench.

Step 15: One More Picture!

This is a basic design of a bench but it does what its designed for! It’s cheap to make and once the form/template is made multiples of these can be made quickly and easily if needed. It is also quite light so it can be moved around the garden easily if needed when cutting grass etc.

If you like this project and would like to see more videos from me you can subscribe to my YouTube channel here: Eamon Walsh DIYThanks!