How to make a boot bench

Boot Bench
Boot Bench : Picture
  • Product
  • Specification

Boot Bench

$5.00
  • Pay online by credit card, debit card, or Paypal using Secure Server Paypal. You do not need a Paypal account if paying by credit or ā€¦
Pages

13

Introduction

This handy boot bench can be made in just a day. It is constructed in a typical DIY fashion i.e. it avoids complicated joints which might be too tricky for the less seasoned woodworker.

Level of expertise required: If you can comfortably rip wood (cut down lengthwise) with a circular power saw, then you should be able to undertake this project.

This particular bench was constructed outside on a picnic table under a tarpaulin on a rainy day, so it goes to show you do not necessarily need an elaborate work shed.

Minimum power tool requirements:Ā Circular power saw, jig-saw, drill. (Mind you, a chop saw would be handy.)
Of course you will also need the usual basic hand tools which are: handsaw, pencil, measuring tape, hammer, nail set, large square and a couple of clamps.

Nails and/or screws: We have used a mixture of nails and screws in this project. Nails are used for the most part as they can be set-in and the nail holes easily filled if painting or staining is required. Screws are used in places that require a bit of extra holding power and are generally only used in less conspicuous places.

About the wood dimensions.Ā All dimensions are given in both Metric (mm) and Imperial (inches). The size (width and thickness) of the wood referred to throughout this project is the actual size. That is the size of the lumber when it has been dressed, planed and/or seasoned. When the wood has been dressed, planed and/or seasoned it is then called the ā€˜actual sizeā€™ which is the true size. Before the lumber has been dressed, planed and/or seasoned it is called the ā€˜nominal sizeā€™. For example: 50mm x 25mm (1ā€³ x 2ā€³) when dressed may become 40mm x 18mm (3/4ā€³x 1 1/2ā€³) actual size.

Note: The metric (mm) sizes given in this project do not convert exactly to their corresponding ft and inch equivalents

This project gives the dimensions in both metric (millimeters) and imperial (inches).

The abbreviation for millimeters isĀ mmĀ and the abbreviation for inches isĀ ā€œ.

The metric (mm) measurements are given first, followed by the imperial (inch) measurements in brackets.
Example: 100mm x 50mm (2ā€³ x 4ā€³).
However, the metric (mm) sizes do not convert exactly to the equivalent imperial (inch) sizes because the measurements are rounded to their respective commonly called sizes.
Example: A piece of 2ā€³ x 4ā€³ wood in North America is the equivalent of a piece of 100mm x 50mm wood in Australasia.
2ā€³ x 4ā€³ is not exactly the same size as 100mm x 50mm.
In fact, if 2ā€³ x 4ā€³ was converted into millimeters exactly it would be 101.6mm x 50.8 mm, and nobody really wants to be calling those sorts of sizes.
Also note that in North America the narrower side of the wood is called first (2 x 4), where as in Australasia the wider side is called first (100 x 50).
When the same piece of wood is made smooth (surfaced, dressed, planed), there is an even bigger discrepancy. 1 1/2ā€³ x 3 1/2ā€³ in North America compared to 90mm x 45mm in Australasia.
A project built using metric measurements will be approximately 1.6% smaller than the same project built using imperial (ft and in) measurements.
In this project the imperial measurements are suited to North America. The metric measurements are more suited to Australasia.

Below are the plan drawings and cutting list with a drawing of most of the required pieces.
Under the drawings are descriptions along with dimensions of all the pieces that are in the plans.

The instructions are on successive pages.

Below is a description of all the pieces of wood including sizes, lengths and amounts.
Make sure that the wood you use is suitable for exterior use. Also, if you use wood that is a different size to that stated below, make any necessary adjustments to the plans.

PART IDDESCRIPTION
WOOD SIZE
INCHESĀ USA
WOOD SIZE
METRICĀ AUST
LENGTH
INCHESĀ USA
LENGTH
METRICĀ AUST
HOWĀ MANY
PIECES
[a]Front leg
1Ā 1/2ā€³Ā xĀ 1Ā 1/2ā€³
45mm x 45mm
25ā€³
625mm
2
[b]Rear leg. To be shaped as shown in the instructions
1 1/2ā€³ x 3 1/2ā€³
90mm x 45mm
34ā€³
850mm
2
[c]Front and rear rails
3/4ā€³ x 1 1/2ā€³
40mm x 18mm
51 1/2ā€³
1300mm
8
[d]Side rails
3/4ā€³ x 1 1/2ā€³
40mm x 18mm
17ā€³
425mm
8
[e]Front and rear plywood panels for the boot box. Verify size on job
3/8ā€³ thick x 11 1/2ā€³ x 47ā€³
9mm thick x 287mm x 1175mm
Ā Ā 
2
[f]Strip of wood to support the boot box base
3/4ā€³ x 3/4ā€³
18mm x 18mm
45ā€³
1125
2
[g]Side plywood panels for the boot box. Verify size on job
3/4ā€³ thick x 11 1/2ā€³ x 11 3/4ā€³
18mm thick x 287mm x 280mm
Ā Ā 
2
[h]Lid support
3/4ā€³ x 1 1/2ā€³
40mm x 18mm
48 1/2ā€³
1210mm
1
[i]Lid for the boot box
3/4ā€³ thick x 16ā€³ x 48ā€³
18mm thick x 400mm x 1200mm
Ā Ā 
1
[j]Back support rails. Rebate as shown in the instructions
1 1/2ā€³ x 2 1/2ā€³
(rip out of 1 1/2ā€³ x 3 1/2ā€³)
70mm x 45mm
48 1/2ā€³
1210mm
2
[k]Back rest decorative pieces. Shape as shown in the directions
3/4ā€³ x 1 1/2ā€³
40mm x 18mm
2 1/2ā€³
70mm
Approximately 34
[l]Back slats
3/4ā€³ x 1 1/2ā€³
40mm x 18mm
12ā€³
300mm
Approximately 16
[m]Arm rest supports
3/4ā€³ x 1ā€³ (approx)
25mm x 18mm (approx)
8ā€³
200mm
4
[n]Arm rest
3/4ā€³ x 3 1/2ā€³
90mm x 18mm
20ā€³
500mm
2
[o]Boot box base
3/4ā€³ x 5 1/2ā€³
140mm x 18mm
11 3/4ā€³
280mm
Approximately 9

Making the boot box frame

On the previous page are theĀ plans, theĀ parts listĀ and a partsĀ description.
Refer to that page for all dimensions, wood sizes and part placements.

Step 1:Ā 

 Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 1
  1. Cut the eight front and rear railsĀ [c]Ā and the eight side railsĀ [d]Ā to length.
    Refer to theĀ parts listĀ for measurements.
  2. Cut the front legsĀ [a]Ā to length.
  3. The back legs need to be shaped.
    First cut two pieces of 90mm x 45mm (1 1/2ā€³ x 3 1/2ā€³) woodĀ [b]Ā to a length of 850mm (34ā€³). Lay both pieces on a couple of sawhorses and mark the shape of the back legs using theĀ plansĀ for reference.
    Then cut out the shape. This can be done using a circular power saw and a jig-saw.

Step 2:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 2
  • Lay the two front legsĀ [a]Ā on a work platform and mark where the front railsĀ [c]Ā are to go. Refer to theĀ plansĀ for the measurements.
  • The front rails should be set out in hit-and-miss fashion. That means that the gap between the rails should be the same as the railsā€™ width.
    Start the top front rail 400mm (16ā€³) up from the bottom of each leg.
  • Nail the front railsĀ [c]Ā to the front legsĀ [a]Ā using 50mm (2ā€³) galvanized nails. First pre-drill the nail holes in the front railsĀ [c]Ā to avoid spitting. Once nailed, set (punch) the heads of the nails into the wood.

Step 3:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 3
  • Lay the two rear legsĀ [b]Ā on a work platform and mark where the rear railsĀ [c]Ā are to go. Refer to theĀ plansĀ for measurements.
  • The rear rails should be set out in hit-and-miss fashion. That means that the gap between the rails should be the same as the railsā€™ width.
    Start the top rear rail 400mm (16ā€³) up from the bottom of each leg.
  • Nail the rear railsĀ [c]Ā to the rear legsĀ [b]Ā using 50mm (2ā€³) galvanized nails. First pre-drill the nail holes in the rear railsĀ [c]Ā to avoid spitting. Once nailed, set (punch) the heads of the nails into the wood.

Step 4:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 4
  • Once the front rails are fixed to the front legs and the rear rails are fixed to the rear legs, then balance both sections on edge (see picture).
  • Thread the side railsĀ [d]Ā in between the front and rear railsĀ [c]and nail them to the legs.

Step 5:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 5
  • Stand the frame the right way up on a work platform.
  • Now itā€™s starting to take shape.

Step 6:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 6
  • Cut the two front and rear plywood panelsĀ [e]. Refer to theĀ plansĀ for dimensions. Ensure that they will fit inside the boot bench frame.
  • Then nail a strip of woodĀ [f]Ā to the bottom of each panel.
  • Make the strips of woodĀ [f]Ā approximately 25mm (1ā€³) shorter than the plywood each end.
  • The purpose of the strips of wood are to support the base boardsĀ [o].

Making the boot box

Step 7:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 7
  • Lay the frame on its side and fix one of the plywood panelsĀ [e]Ā to the railsĀ [c]Ā as shown in the picture.
  • Flip the unit over and repeat with the other panel on the other side.

Step 8:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 8
  • Measure cut and fit the two side plywood panelsĀ [g].

Step 9:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 9
  • Screw the lid supportĀ [h]Ā to the top rear railĀ [c]Ā but first, position the lid supportĀ [h]Ā so that it is 18mm (3/4ā€³) above the top of the top rear railĀ [c]Ā which is the thickness of the lidĀ [i].
  • Pre-drill all the screw holes in the lid supportĀ [h].
Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 9 Support

Step 10:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Boot Box Frame 10
  • Cut and position the lidĀ [i].
  • Ensure that the lid has at least 6mm (1/4ā€³) clearance on each side so that it can open and shut without grinding against anything.

Step 11:Ā 

  • Fix three evenly spaced hinges to the lidĀ [i]Ā and the lid supportĀ [h].

Making the back-rest

Step 12:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest
  • Cut the two back-rest railsĀ [j]Ā to length.
  • Mark the rebate on both pieces. See the drawing below.
Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest - Rebate
  • Clamp the two pieces together, set the blade on the circular power saw to the required depth and commence ripping.

Step 13:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 2
  • Unclamp the two piecesĀ [j].
  • Re-set the depth on the circular power saw to the required depth for the second cut.
  • Make the second cut on each back-rest railĀ [j]Ā thus completing the rebate.

Step 14:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 3
  • Make a pencil mark across a length of 40mm x 18mm (3/4ā€³ x 1 1/2ā€²) wood at 70mm (2 1/2ā€³) intervals.
  • Clamp the length of wood (to be drilled) on top of another piece of spare wood. This is so that when you drill through the top piece, it will not tear the wood when the drill breaks through the other side of it.
    The bottom (spare) piece can later be discarded.
  • Drill a 25mm (1ā€³) hole at every second marked line. See the picture.

Step 15:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 4
  • Cut through every pencil mark with a hand saw or a chop saw if you have one..
  • You will end up with a lot of little pieces as shown in the picture.
  • A little bit of sanding at this stage will not go astray.

Step 16:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 5
  • Start laying out the little decorative piecesĀ [k]Ā and the back slatsĀ [l]Ā in the rebates of the two back-rest railsĀ [j].
  • Do not nail or fix at this stage, just lay them in place to see how they pan out.

Step 17:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 6
  • Once you have placed all the back-rest piecesĀ [k]Ā andĀ [l]Ā so that the pattern is centralized, (this was just a practice run) then you can remove them, add a bit of glue to the sides of the little decorative piecesĀ [k]Ā and then put them all back again.
  • Once re-positioned, hold everything tightly together with a couple of clamps.

The arm-rest

Step 18:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 7
  • More than likely you will have to cut the end pieces to make them fit.
  • You can then nail all the back-rest piecesĀ [k]Ā andĀ [l]Ā to the back-rest railsĀ [j].
  • Use 30mm (1 1/4ā€³) galvanized nails, pre-drill the holes into the back-rest piecesĀ [k]Ā andĀ [l]Ā and set (punch) the heads of the nails into the wood.

Step 19:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 8
  • Fit the back-rest unit in place between the top of the two rear legsĀ [b].
  • Position the back-rest unit (height-wise) according to theĀ planor according to your taste.
  • Secure with two 90mm (3 1/2ā€³) screws at each meeting.
    Pre-drill the screw holes through the rear legsĀ [b].

Step 20:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 9
  • Cut, shape and glue and screw the arm-rest supportsĀ [m]Ā in place.
  • Refer to theĀ planĀ for placement.
  • Use two 50mm (2ā€³) screws for each piece and pre-dill the arm-rest supportsĀ [m]Ā first.

Step 21:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 10
  • Add the arm-rests after first applying a bit of glue.
  • Nail the arm-rests to the arm-rest supports with 50mm (2ā€³) galvanized nails. Pre-drill the nail holes in the arm-rests and set (punch) the heads of the nails into the wood.

Step 22:Ā 

Boot Bench : Making the Back Rest 11
  • Now just cut a few boardsĀ [o]Ā to go into the base of the boot box, and thatā€™s about it.
  • There is no need to nail any of the base boardsĀ [o]Ā as they can just sit there on top of the wood stripsĀ [f].

Les Kenny

Buildeazy.com started as a hobby for Les Kenny over eight years ago when he decided he would share his successful DIY projects with the wider world, putting them up online for anyone to access.

2 Comments
Show all Most Helpful Highest Rating Lowest Rating Add your review
  1. Dear Sir, thought you might like to see these items that I made with your plans last year. The well is in my garden and the bench is at my sisters.
    Yours sincerely
    Mike Turner Burntwood Staffs, England

  2. Thanks for your site for sharing.
    I made your bench.
    I used a little cedar over some of the pine and used buttone to cover the screw holes.

Leave a reply

5 images maximum / 31.25MB per image / jpeg, pjpeg, png, gif

BuildEazy
Logo
Enable registration in settings - general
Shopping cart