How to Build a Garden Bench
with Matt Kenney

Build a Garden Bench

This bench is made from sipo, a tropical hardwood and mahogany relative, that can stand up to the seasons, even without a finish.

Videos in This Series

	Introduction (Now Playing) The highlights of constructing this elegant outdoor bench of sipo mahogany
	Designing for the Outdoors Advice from expert Hank Gilpin on wood selection, joinery, finishing, and more
	Jigs and Templates Simplify joinery and shaping curves with a collection of guides
	Lightning-Fast Mortises Zip through mortising with handy router jigs
	Two Ways to Tenon Cut perfect-fitting tenons by hand and machine
	Smooth Curves Shape all the parts to create a light and refined bench
	The Perfect Arm Rest Smart techniques for joining this part to the legs
	Glue up: Calm and Collected How to keep your cool though glue-up and assembly
	Finished at Last How to protect the bench from the elements (or not)

Matt Kenney

Watertown, Connecticut

I actually taught philosophy before I started working as an editor at Fine Woodworking. I built furniture as a hobby and I made my first big project, a crib for my daughter, on a 2 ft. by 10 ft. apartment balcony. Then I met Joe Mazurek, a professional furniture maker in Camden, SC. He let me hang out in his shop and taught me almost everything I know about the craft.

In this video workshop, I'll show you step-by-step how to make this elegant garden bench. We'll start with a trip to meet furniture maker Hank Gilpin who'll give some advice on designing furniture for the outdoors. Then I'll take you back to my shop for in-depth instruction on making the bench.

Tight-fitting mortise and tenon joints are key to a sturdy outdoor bench. While I'm a hand tool guy at heart, I'll show a simple method for routing all the mortises using a collection of handy jigs. I'll also demonstrate two ways to cut tenons and give tips for shaping all the curved parts.

Now Available. Buy a digital plan in SketchUp. It includes a PDF with measured drawings and a cutlist. Plus you get the SketchUp file to modify the project to your tastes.

Built this garden bench? Or completed a similar project like this bench by Clark Kellogg? Post your photos in our online gallery. Upload pictures and tag them with the words "garden-bench".

 

Don't miss our other video workshops that guide you through each step of making a workbench, small cabinet, bookshelf, Morris chair, and more.