Cedar Garden Bench Plans

		First build the two armrests.
		Trim the front end of each 4x6 armrest at a 45-degree angle, beginning one and one half inches down from the top. Make a 3 1/2-inch square notch in the inside back of each armrest where it will wrap the rear leg, and finish with a 45-degree bevel cut.
		Using 4-inch screws, attach the armrests to the 4x4 rear legs, 24 inches up from the bottom. Attach armrests to the front legs by driving two screws through the armrest and into the top of the leg.
		Trim the 2x4 main braces down to lengths of 5' 9" ...
		... and attach them to the inside front and rear legs, 11" from the bottom.
		The curved seat supports are made up of 2x4 lumber sandwiching either the 4x4 rear legs-in the case of the end seat supports-or the single 2x4 backrest support-in the case of the center seat supports.
		To shape the curve, make a template for a 36-inch radius cut. Mark the cut to start 3 inches in from the front, and use a jigsaw to cut the radius and finish the seat supports with a 45-degree bevel cut to match the armrests. Note that the end and center seat supports differ slightly in length and attachments.
		Trim the four 2x4 end seat supports to 25-1/2". Attach the inside seat supports to the rear and front legs so they rest on the top edge of the 2x4 main brace. Attach the outside seat supports level with the inside ones.
		Trim the two center seat supports to 22 inches. Using a scrap piece of 2x4 as a temporary spacer for the backrest, attach these seat supports across the main braces flush with the back edge of the rear brace. Use two 3-inch screws for each joint, angled from below and inside. Remove the spacers.
		For the backrest supports, trim the 2x4 supports to a 10-degree angle at the top edge. The two end backrest supports start at the top of the 4x4 rear leg and trim to rest on top of the seat supports. The center backrest trims flush to the bottom edges of the two center seat supports.
		Attach the end backrest supports to the inside of the 4x4 rear leg with two screws. The bottom should fit snugly to the top of the seat supports and can be secured with screws driven at an angle from below. The top rail should be installed before trimming and attaching the center backrest.
		Now you will attach the 2x4 top rail to the rear legs with three deck screws at each end.
		Measure and trim the center backrest. Install the backrest between the seat supports and place it flush to the underside of the top rail. Secure it with screws.
		For the backrest rail, trim one 2x2 backrest rail to fit tightly between the armrests.
		Trim the other 2x2 and 2x4 seat and backrest rails to 6' so that it goes across the entire length of the bench.
		Install the front seat rail so that it overlaps the seat support by 1/2-inch, and attach it with two deck screws at each joint.
		Attach the rear seat rail to each support with two deck screws. Adjust the spacing of the remaining seat rails before attaching.
		Space the backrest rails equally, and attach to supports with a single screw at each 2x2, and two screws at each 2x4.
		Sand with medium grade sandpaper and apply the finish of your choice.