Outdoor Bench

Matthew Cremona

Matt will show you how to construct a beautiful and sturdy outdoor bench made from thermally modified wood that will last for generations, or two years if you live in Minnesota.

Bench Dimensions: 48” W x 36” T x 22” D

13 lessons

250 min

$79.00

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Introduction

We kick things off by taking a look at the Sketchup model and talk a bit about thermally modified wood.
Leg Design

We take a look at quickly verifying a computer generated design.
Lumber Selection

We layout and cut our boards into parts
The Legs

We get started on the build by cutting and shaping the legs
The Mortises

We get started on the joinery by cutting all the mortises for the bench frame.
The Tenons

We continue on the joinery by cutting all the tenons for the bench frame.
The Arm Rests

We add the arm rests which have a curved profile and some angled joinery.
The Back Rest

We tackle the curved crest rail and join all 14 back slats to the frame.
The Seat Slats

We wrap up construction by adding the middle seat slat support and fit the seat slats to the bench.
Outdoor Finishes

We discuss selecting an outdoor finish and take a look at some teak oil samples.
Finish Prep

We break the bench down and finish prep the parts.
Finish & Assembly

We apply the finish and get this bench glued up!
Wrap Up

We discuss thermally modified woods and the final bench design.

What will I receive?

Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
Hours of detailed video instruction (13 videos) showing every step of the build.
All videos and plans are digital and will be available for download upon purchase.

What will I learn?

Grain and Part Selection
Rapid Design Prototyping
Working with Thermally Modified Wood
Router Cut Mortises
Tablesaw Cut Tenons
Angled Mortise & Tenon
Frame & Slat Construction
Prefinishing Strategies
Teak Oil Application
Complex Glue Up Strategies

What will I need?

Wood

These are approximate numbers. You’ll want to buy more for waste and grain selection.

9 Board Feet of 4/4 Hardwood
3 Board Feet of 5/4 Hardwood
18 BF of 8/4 Hardwood

Tools

Note: This is not a required list of tools. This is simply what we used during the build. Remember, there are always multiple ways to accomplish a task so if you don’t have one or more of these tools, you can very likely still make this project.

Planer/Jointer (alternatives: purchase pre-milled lumber kits or use hand planes)
Tablesaw (with dado stack)
Router (with edge guide)
Bandsaw
Drill
Random Orbit Sander
Hand Tools – Chisels, Dovetail Saw

Bits

1/2″ Spiral Upcut
3/8″ Spiral Upcut

Reviews:

This was a fun, moderately easy project. Matt’s style, while breezy and informal, still conveys not only the needed information but he talks about different approaches. He starts with the design approach, which will help inform any who may want to add their own spin and also discusses wood selection for grain and patterns.

This project would have been more difficult without a bandsaw, and I did purchase the templates for the arm and front leg, which made routing the curved areas a breeze on a router table.

Bob

Guild Member

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About Your Instructor:

Matt is a classic log to furniture woodworker. In 2017 he made his own bandsaw mill and uses it to create massive slabs for himself and other woodworkers to turn into beautiful furniture. He started his YouTube channel in 2014 and has a large and dedicated following. His woodworking style ranges from modern to classic reproductions.

Matt has been a Guild instructor since 2016 and a co-host of the Wood Talk podcast since 2016. He travels to teach periodically at local Guild meetings as well as woodworking events like Woodworking in America.

Outdoor Bench

Outdoor Bench MDF Templates

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Introduction

Leg Design

Lumber Selection

The Legs

The Mortises

The Tenons

The Arm Rests

The Back Rest

The Seat Slats

Outdoor Finishes

Finish Prep

Finish & Assembly

Wrap Up

What will I receive?

What will I learn?

What will I need?

Reviews:

About Your Instructor:

You can build this project, just like these guild members!