Simple and Inexpensive Wood Projects

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Summer Projects

A dependable wood bench and shelves that can be built in a couple of hours.

By Tom Moates

Here are two quick-to build woodworking projects that will come in especially hand, this time of year. The portable workbench is great to use as a toot holder and seat for easy, no-kneel, low-level gardening such as weeding or harvesting bush beans. And the canning shelves will hold sparkling jars of your garden's bounty.

A PORTABLE WORKBENCH

Whether you are a contractor who builds everyday or a banker who fixes around the house on weekends, the portable, easy-to-build tool bench will allow you to tote everything you need for a task, while providing a perfect seat.

Material

A light, durable wood like pine or poplar should be used for constructing the bench. You may already have scrap from another project suitable for this one, but if you don't, you will have to purchase only two boards—one 1" x 6" x 14' board and one 1" x 4" x 6' board; 1 1/4" drywall screws are ideal for holding the bench together; a half-pound will be adequate for the job. Any building supply will be able to furnish you these materials.

If you are not familiar with buying lumber there is a fact you need to know. Planed (dressed) lumber will be slightly smaller than the measurements it is listed as and unplaned (rough) lumber will run slightly larger. For instance, a 1" x 6" dressed board will actually measure about Y" x 5Y4". For this project, that slight difference will not matter. Simply follow the directions provided here and the tool bench will turn out correctly.

Cutting

On the 1" x 6" x 14' board, using a square, mark two 24" lengths, two 22" lengths, and four 18" lengths. On the 1" x 4" x 6' board, mark two 24" lengths and two 12" lengths. Cut out these lengths.

One corner of each 1" x 6" x 18" board needs to be cut off at a diagonal to create the legs for the bottom of the bench. Choose a corner, measure along one edge 4", make a mark, and then measure 4" from that same corner along the other edge and make a mark. Use a straight edge to draw a line connecting these two marks and then cut along this line, removing the corner from the board.

The top of the bench will have a hole cut into it as a carrying handle. Along one side of each of the two 1" x 6" x 24"s make a mark in the center. Measure and mark 2 1/2" on either side of the middle mark on the edge of the boards. Then measure in 1" from the edge at the high and low marks and make marks. Ignore the first center mark and use a straightedge to connect the other four marks on each board, making a 1" x 5" rectangle. Cut out these rectangles with a jigsaw or by making multiple 1"-deep saw cuts within the rectangles and knocking out the small chunks. When put together on top of the bench they will make a 2" x 5" handle. Finally, take the two 1" x 4" x 12"s and rip each board in half, making four 1" x 2" x 12" strips.

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