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Your first build is free: get the Slat Bench plan, with the 3D build guide. Get it
Plan OL-027 · Block collection

Block Dining Bench

A dining bench built exactly like the Block Dining Table: open 4x4-leg ends with two-ply rails, hidden corner blocks and a slatted top. The plan includes three lengths, 60, 72 and 84 inches, one for each table length, each with its own cut list, PDF and 3D guide. 8 boards at 72 inches, about four hours.

$19for the plan · PDF + 3D guide, instant download
Skill
Level 1
Build time
About 4 hours
Size
72" × 17" × 18"W × D × H
Lumber
8 boards, all 8 ft
Every size is in the plan
  • 60" benchfor the 72" table
  • 72" benchfor the 84" table
  • 84" benchfor the 96" table

Each with its own cut list, shopping list, PDF and 3D guide. The shopping list below is for the 72" bench.

Build-ready or your money back. If anything in the plan doesn't work as drawn, email us within 30 days for a full refund.

Buy it finished$700+
Build it yourselfFrom $155pine lumber + hardware

You buy the materials at Home Depot, not here. Cedar: from $345.

  • Printable plan and interactive 3D build guide
  • One-trip Home Depot shopping list
  • Yours to keep. Build it as many times as you like
What’s in the plan

27 parts, only 5 lengths.

Every part gets a letter you pencil on its end. The drawings, the cut list, the cutting diagrams and the 3D guide all use the same letters, so you always know exactly which board you are holding.

  • DrawingsFront, side and top views with dimensions
  • Cut listEvery part by letter, board and length
  • Cutting diagramsWhich part comes from which 8 ft board
  • 6 stepsEach with time, check and common mistake
Exploded view of the Block Dining Bench with every part labeled by letter
Free 3D preview

Try the build guide before you buy.

The first 2 of 6 steps are free. It’s exactly what you’ll follow in the garage, on your phone or laptop.

  • Watch each step build itself, board by board, screw by screw.
  • Spin and zoom the model with your finger or mouse.
  • Tap any board to see its letter and cut size.
Open the free preview
Try steps 1–2 free
Materials

One list. One trip to Home Depot.

ItemQty
4x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, ground contact1
2x6 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime3
2x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime4
2-1/2" exterior wood screws, rated for treated lumber (hidden joints)20 (1 × 1 lb box)
2-1/2" exterior trim-head screws, rated for treated lumber (top and bottom boards)12 (1 × 1 lb box)
5" structural wood screws (GRK RSS or SPAX)8 (1 × 25-pack)
4" exterior structural screws (GRK RSS or SPAX), for the end frames28 (1 × 50-pack)
Behr semi-transparent stain & sealer, Cedar Naturaltone1 qt
Estimated build cost
$155–$170
Building in pine
  • Pick #2 Prime boards and sight down each one. Take the straightest and grab one spare of each size.
  • Treated pine comes wet. Stack the boards flat with scrap spacers between them, out of the sun, for 2–3 weeks before you cut. Dry boards don't shrink or twist after you build.
  • Use screws labeled for treated lumber (most coated exterior screws are) and galvanized brackets.
  • Sand the faces and edges smooth, then stain once the wood is dry. A cedar-tone stain gives it the honey look in the photos.
  • Wear a dust mask when cutting and sanding treated wood, and never burn the scraps.

Estimates based on typical Home Depot prices; your store may vary. Same cuts and same steps in either wood.

The build

6 steps · about 4 hours

  1. 1Cut the partsFree in 3D45 min
  2. 2Build the two end framesFree in 3D45 min
  3. 3Stand the ends and add the aprons30 min
  4. 4Lay the top30 min
  5. 5Flip it and add the supports30 min
  6. 6Sand and finish45 min + drying

Good to know

Which length do I need?

Twelve inches shorter than your table, so the bench slides in between the table's legs: 60 inches for the 72-inch table, 72 for the 84, 84 for the 96. The 72-inch bench seats three adults, four at a squeeze.

How tall is it?

18 inches, standard dining-bench height, and 17 inches deep (three 2x6 boards).

Which tools do I need?

A drill/driver, a miter saw or circular saw, a tape measure, a speed square, a few clamps and a sanding block. Every joint is wood on wood with screws: no pocket holes, no glue-ups, no brackets.

Can I build it in pine to save money?

Yes. The plan comes with a second shopping list in pressure-treated pine, with the same cuts and the same steps. Pine needs a couple of weeks to dry and a coat of cedar-tone stain, but costs well under half as much as cedar.