My wife likes to be able to sit on our land. Not just any one place, but pretty much wherever the mood strikes her. If I am working the bees, she wants to be able to sit and watch (from a distance, mind you). When the fruit trees are buzzing with life, she likes to get to sit and take it in. She wanted benches placed around the place. Not wanting to spend a fortune on this, I came up with my Orchard Bench.
Basically, is some 2×4 lumber cut in a few different lengths and nailed together. I made the first few out of scrap lumber (that is kind of how my basic dimensions were devised).
The cut list is as follows:
9 2x4x14″
2 2x4x18
2 2x4x29
I know, it sounds exceedingly difficult. 🙂 Make sure to be safe when cutting, fingers are valuable.
The 14″ pieces make up the top and the cross supports for the legs. The 29″ pieces make up the rails for the tops to nail onto. Just place the rails on a flat surface, space the top boards evenly, and nail them in.
Next, attach the legs.
Then attach the cross supports for the legs. I place these a couple of inches from the bottom of the legs. I know there is a bit sticking out of each end, my wife likes them that way. You can feel free to cut yours to not stick out if you like, it won’t hurt my feelings.
When you are finished, you have a sturdy bench that can be placed pretty much anywhere you like. You could modify the design and use a thinner lumber for the top to reduce weight. I like the sturdy top because you never know when you might need a work bench out in the field, and dual purposing things is a good thing. It’s ready for a coat of paint and this one is heading to the back bee yard. Before painting I have about 20 minutes invested in this thing, half an hour tops. You could screw the pieces together if you like, but I had nails handy.
