Home Arbor How to build an arbor with bench plans

How to build an arbor with bench plans

by Ovidiu

 

This step by step woodworking project is about how to build an arbor with bench plans. This article features detailed instructions for building a beautiful arbor with bench. We have designed the plans to keep the expenditures under control and to involve the least amount of work possible. These are the easiest arbor with bench plans you will find on internet.

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the bench pergola won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

 

 

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How to build an arbor bench

Building an arbor with bench

Building an arbor with bench

 

Cut & Shopping Lists

  • A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 66″ long, 3 pieces – 17 1/2″ long SEAT
  • B – 6 piece of 2×4 lumber – 66″ long SEAT
  • C – 4 piece of 2×4 lumber – 72″ longPOSTS
  • D – 2 piece of 2×4 lumber – 66″ long, 13 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 11 1/4″ long BACKREST
  • E – 2 piece of 2×6 lumber – 84″ long SUPPORT BEAMS
  • F – 9 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 25 3/4″ long SLATS
  • G – 2 pieces of 1×1 lumber – 16 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 54 1/4″ long 2xFRAME
  • H – 2 panels – 16 1/2″x55 3/4″ long 2xLATTICE

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

 

 

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Arbor with bench plans

Buidling the seat frame

Building the seat frame

The first step of the project is to build the frame of the seat. As you can see in the diagram, use 2×4 lumber for the components. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the short components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the long components. Make sure the corners are square and add glue to the joints.

Fitting the seat slats

Fitting the seat slats

Attach the 2×4 slats to the frame, as described in the diagram. Place the slats equally-spaced and secure them to the frame using 2 1/2″ galvanized screws.

Building the posts

Building the posts

Use 2×4 lumber for the posts. Make cuts to the top of the beams, as described in the diagram. Use a circular saw and a chisel to make the notches to the top of the beams. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

Fitting the legs

Fitting the legs

Next, you need to attach the posts to the seat of the arbor. As you can see in the diagram, you need to make sure the posts are plumb and the seat perfectly vertical. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws though the posts into the seat frame. Alternatively, you could insert the screws from the inside of the frame into the posts.

Building the support beams

Building the support beams

Build the support beams out of 2×6 lumber. Mark the cut lines on the beams and get the job done with a jigsaw. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

Cutting the decorative ends

Cutting the decorative ends

In order to get a professional appearance, we recommend you to cut out the ends of the beams in a decorative manner. Mark the cut lines and get the job done with a jigsaw. Smooth the edges with 120-grit sandpaper.

Fitting the support beams

Fitting the support beams

Fit the support beams to the top of the posts, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through both the posts and the beams, before inserting the 4″ carriage bolts. Add a washer and tighten the nuts, for a professional result.

Building the backrest

Building the backrest

Building the backrest is a straight forward process, but you need to pay attention to a few aspects. Use 2×4 lumber for the horizontal supports and 1×4 or 2×4 lumber for the vertical components. Drill pocket holes and secure the components together with glue and 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure you place the slats equally-spaced.

Attaching the backrest

Attaching the backrest

Drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports. Fit the backrest to the structure and secure it to the posts using 2 1/2″ screws. You could lean the backrest for about 3 degrees, if you want to add character to the project.

Fitting the top slats

Fitting the top slats

One of the last steps if to attach the 2×2 slats to the top of the arbor with bench. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock the slats to the support beams. Place the slats equally-spaced for a symmetrical look.

Building the frame for the lattice

Building the frame for the lattice

Build the frames for the side lattice panels out of 1×1 lumber. Secure the frame to the posts with brad nails.

Fitting the lattice panels

Fitting the lattice panels

Cut the lattice panels at the dimensions shown in the diagram and secure them to the panels using staples.

How to build an arbor with bench

How to build an arbor with bench

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the pilot holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the wooden arbor with bench from decay, we recommend you to cover the components with paint or stain.

 

 

This woodworking project was about how to build an arbor with bench plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us on Facebook and Google + to be the first that gets out latest projects and to hep us keep adding free woodworking plans for you.

 

 

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