How do I Build a Potting Bench From Recycled Lumber?
- 1). Cut the recycled 2 by 4s into eight pieces using the table saw. Four pieces should be 48 inches long; the other four 21 inches.
- 2). Arrange two of the 48-inch long pieces so they are horizontal and parallel to each other. Set two of the shorter pieces vertically between the long pieces to create a rectangular frame. Nail the frame pieces together at each corner with a nail gun. Arrange the rest of the 2 by 4s into the same shape and make a second frame.
- 3). Use the saw to cut the recycled plywood into two 48-by-24-inch pieces.
- 4). Lay one piece of the plywood so it is taller rather than wide and draw a horizontal rectangle on each corner with a pencil. The rectangles should be 3 1/4 inches tall and 5 3/4 inches wide. Cut out each of the rectangles with the saw. This will be the lower shelf of the bench.
- 5). Make the legs for the table by cutting 4 pieces of 2 by 4s 34 inches long.
- 6). Lay the solid piece of 48-by-24-inch plywood on top of one of the rectangular frames and screw it into place with wood screws and a power drill. Make sure the plywood is flush along each side with the frame below. Attach the lower shelf piece of plywood to the other frame the same way. Set the bottom frame on the floor with the plywood facing up.
- 7). Insert each of the legs into the cut out rectangles in the plywood top of the frame on the floor. Have friends hold the legs steady while you work.
- 8). Set the solid plywood frame on top of the legs, with the plywood facing up. Secure the top frame to the legs with screws through the top and the sides of the frame for solid support.
- 9). Have your friends lift the frame on the ground so it is elevated by 10 3/4 inches. Drill through the shelf frame, into the legs with the wood screws to secure the lower shelf in this position.
- 10
Cut a piece of plywood to 24-by-18 inches. Draw a line on the plywood from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. This should divide the plywood into two equal sized triangle shapes. Cut the plywood along the line and set the triangles on top of each other so all of their edges line up. The 90-degree corner should be on the lower left hand side. - 11
Make a vertical cut through both triangles 18 inches to the right of the 90-degree corner. This cut will remove the far right corners of the triangles to straighten the right edge. - 12
Cut a piece of plywood to 6 inches wide and 46 1/2 inches long. This is the base of the upper shelf. - 13
Attach a 46 1/2 inch long piece of recycled 1 by 2 wood along the edge of the upper shelf with nails. This will be the front edge of the shelf, which will keep items from falling off. - 14
Cut some plywood to 48 inches wide and 18 inches tall. Atach four brackets to this piece, 5 inches lower than one of the 48-inch edges. This will make the back of the potting bench. - 15
Attach 6 corner braces along the edge of the plywood that is opposite the brackets. These braces should be attached just along the edge to secure the back to the top of the bench. - 16
Attach corner braces along the longest straight edge of each of the triangles of plywood in the same way you did for the back. Use 3 braces for each triangle piece. - 17
Stand each of the triangle pieces up so the corner braces are flat against the tabletop along each side and screw them into place. The tall vertical side of the triangles should be flush with the back corners of the tabletop. - 18
Place the back of the bench up between the triangles, with the corner braces flat against the table and drill the braces into the table. - 19
Set the upper shelf on top of the brackets on the back of the bench, with the small ledge facing up, toward the front of the table. Drill through the brackets under the shelf to secure it in place. - 20
Drill through the triangles on the side of the table into the upper shelf to hold the structure together.
