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For steps and cut list go to This Old House [https://www.thisoldhouse.com/house-one/96646/diy-shaker-dining-bench].
Difficulty: ⅗
Cost: $90
Time: About 4 hours (over 2 days)
At my house, inviting family and friends over for a special occasion means scrambling for extra seating. So in preparation for the holidays, I started looking for a seating solution that would be comfortable, elegant, and easy to build—and stumbled on a photo of a Shaker bench on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I especially liked the way that the angled backrest offered comfort for adults and would keep my kiddos from falling backward.
Inspired by the original, I stayed true to Shaker simplicity by sticking with pine rather than pricey hardwood and using interlocking joints instead of modern hardware. I also made my bench from sturdy stair treads and common 1× stock. At 67 inches wide, it seats three adults or four little ones, and still tucks neatly under the table. I don’t know if history repeats itself, but I know that this bench will play a part in many future gatherings.
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Materials:
Four 1-by-11½-by-36-inch stair treads
1-by-12-by-6-foot board
5/4-by-4-by-6-foot board
1 5/8-inch deck screws
Wood glue [amzn.to/3Obdaci]
Wood filler [amzn.to/3U6FtfK]
150-grit sanding pads [amzn.to/49j6Isb]
1 quart milk paint
Satin wax [amzn.to/3HqQbGp]
Tools:
Circular saw (with shop-made cutting guide) [https://amzn.to/48EGDUp]
Miter saw [https://amzn.to/4b0Gn3D]
Hand clamps [https://amzn.to/3O8uY85]
Random-orbit sander [https://amzn.to/3RXrBSk]
Drill/driver and bits [https://amzn.to/42cyVhW]
Countersink bit [https://amzn.to/3vBQVpw]
Jigsaw [https://amzn.to/3vDWB2h]
Chisel [https://amzn.to/48JX8hV]
Paintbrush [https://amzn.to/3S3VD7c]
Nail [https://amzn.to/3Hs2tyi]
Paint stick [https://amzn.to/3S3Kjb9]
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How to Build a Shaker Dining Bench | House One | This Old House
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