Potting Bench

Use this sturdy work surface to prepare your dream garden.

Potting Bench

 

Instructions:

General: Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List and Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit.

 

1. Prepare the legs.

Note: The (01) wheel legs and (02) long legs are ripped from a 4 x 4.

a. Using a drill fitted with a 1/2-inch Forstner bit, drill a 1/2-inch hole centered and 1 inch from the bottom through the front face of the (01) wheel legs.

b. Using a drill fitted with a 1/2-inch forstner bit, drill a 1/2-inch-deep hole centered and 3 1/2 inches from the top on the front face of the (02) long legs and the (01) wheel legs.

c. Using a router fitted with a 3/4-inch chamfer bit, cut a stopped chamfer on the outside long edge of each leg as shown in Figure 1.

 

2 Assemble the legs and skirts.

Note: The (03) long aprons, (04) short aprons, and (05) long skirts are ripped from 1 x 6s. The (06) short skirts are ripped from a 1 x 4.

a. Position the (03) long aprons flush with the top and front faces of the (01) wheel legs and (02) long legs, and attach using glue and pocket hole screws. (See Figure 2.)

b. Position the (04) short aprons flush with the top and side faces of the (01) wheel legs and (02) long legs, and attach using glue and pocket hole screws.

c. Position the (05) long skirts 19 1/4 inches from the top of the (01) wheel legs and (02) long legs and flush with the inside edges as shown in Figure 3. Attach using glue and pocket hole screws.

d. Position the (06) short skirts 19 1/4 inches from the top of the (01) wheel legs and (02) long legs and flush with the inside edges. Attach using glue and pocket hole screws.

e. Check for square, and adjust as needed.

 

3 Attach the ledgers, slats, and top.

a. Position a (07) ledger 3/4 inch from the top on the inside face of each (05) long skirt as shown in Figure 4. Attach using glue and brads.

b. Position the (08) slats equidistantly between the assembly ends as shown in Figure 5. Attach to the (07) ledgers using stainless steel screws and finish washers.

c. Attach the (09) top to the assembly using glue; attach to the legs with screws, and attach to the skirts with brads. (See Figure 6.)

d. Attach the stainless steel sheet to the (09) top using construction adhesive, and allow to dry.

e. Using a router fitted with a 3/4-inch chamfer bit, cut a 1/4-inch chamber on the top long edge of the (10) long top trim and (11) short top trim.

f. Position the (10) long top trim and (11) short top trim flush with the top edge of the stainless steel sheet as shown in Figure 7. Attach using glue and brads.

 

4 Add finishing touches.

a. Sand any rough edges.

b. Place the wood plugs in the 1/2-inch holes in the legs, and attach using glue.

c. Apply stain, and allow to dry.

d. Attach the wheels using fender washers, lag bolts, and nuts.


Potting Bench Illustration
Potting Bench Cut Diagram

Cut List

# PART NAME QTY. MATERIAL SIZE (in inches)
01 wheel legs 2 4 x 4 3 x 3 x 34
02 long legs 2 4 x 4 3 x 3 x35 1/4
03 long aprons 2 1 x 6 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 41 7/8
04 short aprons 2 1 x 6 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 18
05 long skirts 2 1 x 6 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 41 7/8
06 short skirts 2 1 x 4 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 18
07 ledgers 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 41 7/8
08 slats 17 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 18
09 top 1 plywood 3/4 x 24 x 48
10 long top trim 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 49 1/2*
11 short top trim 2 1 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 25 1/2*

* Scribe to fit.

Finished Dimensions:
Height: 36 inches
Depth: 25 1/2 inches
Width: 49 1/2 inches

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Project Details
Skillset: Intermediate
Tools You'll Use
  • table saw (or circular saw with a straightedge guide)
  • miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
  • drill/driver with bits, including 1/2-inch Forstner bit
  • router with a 3/4-inch chamfer bit
  • pneumatic nailer (or hammer with nail set)
  • Kreg Jig K4
  • power sander and various grits of sandpaper
  • tape measure
  • paintbrush/rags
  • pencil
Lowe's List
Lumber*
  • 6 boards, 1 x 2 x 8
  • 1 boards, 1 x 4 x 6
  • 2 boards, 1 x 6 x 8
  • 2 boards, 4 x 4 x 8
  • 1 sheet of exterior plywood, 3/4-inch x 2- x 4-foot
Hardware & Supplies
  • 1 (2- x 4-foot) diamond-pattern stainless steel sheet
  • 2 (5-inch) lawnmower wheels
  • 2 (5 1/2-inch) lag bolts
  • 1 box (1 5/8-inch) stainless steel wood screws
  • 1 package (1 1/4-inch) pocket hole screws, coarse thread
  • 1 box (#17 x 1 1/4-inch) galvanized wire brads
  • 8 (1/2-inch) fender washers
  • 1 package (1/2-inch) nuts
  • 1 package (1/2-inch) mushroom-style wood plugs
  • 34 (1/4-inch) finish washers
  • wood glue (Titebond II)
  • construction adhesive
  • 1 quart of stain (Cabot Australian Timber Oil, Jarrah Brown)

*Availability varies by market. Cedar, redwood, and treated southern yellow pine are appropriate for this project.

 

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