Jack is a bench-builder if I’ve ever seen one.
And since he is still in his pre-tall years, a bench that doubles as a stool is a nice helper around the house. We made this bench from Western Red Cedar 2×12, based on our Backyard Bench design. Jack has tested it out as a stool, a car, and a bench and it meets his strict criteria. And it’s a fun, easy project.
How-To. We could have made Jack’s Bench from any old framing lumber, but we chose cedar. Cedar is straight and flat, unlike most home center 2×12 stock. The bonus is that we get a second project out of it (see Backyard Bench) and, seriously, it smells good—even after a year inside.
The top is fastened to the legs. The legs, centered under the top, splay out at a 12 degree angle. We secure them underneath with a center strut or trestle cut to fit with 12 degree angles. Everything is fastened with deck screws.
Fun, fast, and used every single day in our house. Jack approves.