The Top

Select the best surface for the working face (Chapter II., Paragraph 2); prepare a working edge (Chapter II., Paragraph 4); prepare a working end (Chapter II., Paragraph 5). Lay out and make this the size indicated in the drawing. If inconvenient to get a board wide enough to make the top in one piece, two or more pieces may be used by joining them with dowels (Chapter V., Paragraph 72). By using battens on the under side, the top may be made of strips with uniform cracks left between them.

The hole in the top of the bench will afford a place for the hand in picking it up. This will make it possible to handle the bench easily with one hand. Lay out and cut this hole. You may easily do this by boring two 1-inch holes the correct distance apart, and sawing out between them with a compass saw (Chapter II., Paragraph 9).

Assembling

The bench is to be assembled with nails. The skirt boards are to be nailed in position on to the legs. This might be done first. With the steel square, test carefully to make sure that the legs stand exactly at right angles to the edge of the skirt board. Nail both skirt boards securely in position, carefully testing all angles to see that they are square. The top is to be nailed down through into the skirt board, and into the ends of the legs. See that the top is evenly divided, letting it extend the same distance on each end, and on each edge. Nail it in position, being very careful not to bruise it with the hammer (Chapter II., Paragraph 21). In any kind of work where the heads are to show, nails should be uniformly spaced.

Finishing

With a sharp steel scraper remove all pencil and tool marks. The nails may be set and puttied, if so desired. As this bench is to be used for laundry purposes, it will no doubt often be wet, and for that reason will need a coating of paint to protect it against the moisture (Chapter IV., Paragraph 52). If you are not supplied with paint, it might be given a coating of oil stain (Chapter IV., Paragraph 54). This will serve the purpose very well. A coating of shellac might be added; it will help to harden the surface, thus making it more durable (Chapter IV., Paragraph 57).

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

Outdoor Stationary Bench

1. The principles of bench construction can be applied in an unlimited number of ways for practical purposes. Suggestion No. 1 shows a very serviceable plan for the construction of a strong outdoor bench for any kind of general service about the barn or dairy.

Picnic Bench

2. It is often necessary to construct a bench and table for camping, picnic or lawn festival purposes. The idea given in the suggestion will be found very practicable. It represents a very easy and economical plan, for the stakes are simply driven into the ground; thus the bench does not require much material in the way of braces.