Project details
The plywood parts are two identical top layers and one lower shelf. Doubling the top gives a 1.5" slab that takes dog holes and a vise without flexing. The layers are 23.75" rather than a full 24" deep: two 24" rips plus a saw kerf come to 48.125", which is 1/8" more than the sheet. Shaving a quarter inch keeps the whole bench on one panel.
The frame is dimensional 2×4. Those cuts only need a length, so they go through the board calculator. The lumber list is further down the page.
Additional materials
| Part | Size (in) | Quantity | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 32.5" long | 4 | 2×4 | 34" bench height minus the 1.5" top. |
| Long rails | 54" long | 4 | 2×4 | Upper and lower, front and back. 3" overhang at each end of the top. |
| Short rails | 18" long | 4 | 2×4 | Between the legs at each end. |
Cutting sequence
- Rip the top layers
Two rips at 23.75" use the full 48" width of the sheet with the kerf accounted for. Crosscut both to 60".
- Cut the shelf from the offcut
The remaining piece is about 36 × 48. The 46.5 × 18 shelf comes out of it with the grain running across the bench.
- Cut the frame lumber
Run the 2×4 list through the board calculator: five 8 ft studs, with a leg and a long rail sharing each of the first four.
- Assemble upside down
Screw the legs to the underside of the doubled top, then flip the bench and add the lower rails and shelf.
Questions
Can I use MDF for the top?
Yes for the top layer if the bench stays dry. Keep the same dimensions. Some markets sell MDF at 49 × 97, so check the sheet size field before you trust the layout.
How many 2×4s does the frame take?
Five 8 ft studs at a 1/8" kerf. Each of the first four carries one 32.5" leg and one 54" rail; the fifth holds all four 18" short rails.
Why not a 72" bench?
A 72 × 30 top does not double up on one sheet: the second layer needs a second panel and the shelf a third. If you want the bigger bench, set the quantity to 2 on a 72 × 30 part and the calculator will show the three-sheet layout.
More furniture projects
All furniture cut listsFrame lumber cut list
Stock length: 96 in (2438.4 mm). Kerf: 0.125 in (3.175 mm).
| Part | Length (in) | Length (mm) | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg | 32.5 | 825.5 | 4 |
| Long rail | 54 | 1371.6 | 4 |
| Short rail | 18 | 457.2 | 4 |