In this instructable, I show you how I built a bench seat for a dining room table.

Even if you don't need a bench seat, the woodworking techniques and tips I use can be applied to any woodworking project.

I designed this rustic bench to accompany a epoxy river farmhouse dining table for a friend. The dimensions of this bench seat are 50″ x 15″ x 18.25″ (L x W x H).

So, let’s dive right in with a list of tools I used for this project.

Supplies

I realize many people reading this instructable may not own the tools I used to build this bench. No worries! I listed alternate options to make this more budget-friendly.

Threaded Inserts

Furniture Glides

Drill Bit for Threaded Inserts

Rubio Monocoat

Festool Domino or Dowel Jig (Alternate Tool)

Rotex Sander or Oribital Sander (Alternate Tool)

Track Saw or Circular Saw (Alternate Tool)

Track or Straight Edge (Alternate Tool)

Bandsaw or Jig Saw (Alternate Tool)

Step 1: Prepare Wood

To prepare the walnut wood, I used my track saw & track to get a straight side for each board. Most of the time, my track saw does the job of a jointer.

Next, I used the straight side for reference on my MFT3 table to square each end of each board.

I kept the straight side against the MFT3 guide rail system to make sure each end remained square.

Then, I made the final rip cut on the other side with my track saw to a final width of 5″.

Finally, I cross cut 3 boards at 50″ long for the bench seat top.

Step 2: Bench Seat Wood Joinery

As I listed in the tools section at the beginning of this article, a biscuit joiner or a dowel jig work as an alternative joinery method.

First, I marked the domino locations 3″ from each end and made marks 12″ apart in between.

I labeled each mark with corresponding letters on each board in case I mixed them up. A speed square is a great way to draw an accurate line.

Once I marked the domino locations, I cut each mortise using the top of the bench seat as a reference.

Next, I spread wood glue and inserted the dominos. I placed the boards together, clamped them with parallel clamps, and let the glue dry for a few hours.

Step 3: Sand Wood Bench Top

I sanded the wood with 80, 120, 180, 220, and 320 grit sandpaper.

For an extra smooth wood surface, wipe the surface with a damp rag after sanding with the last grit to raise the grain. Sand again with the highest grit while the surface is still damp.

Step 4: Cut Bench Legs

Once I finished the DIY dining table bench seat top, I started building the bench seat bottom.

The bottom is a simple, farmhouse-style bottom with half-lap wood joinery.

First, I cut the cross support and stretcher piece of walnut to size on my bandsaw. If you have a table saw, I recommend to use the table saw to make this cut.

As a side note, I sold my table saw and this piece of wood was too small for my track saw.

So, most people believe you can’t get a straight cut on a bandsaw.

But, I beg to differ. With the proper bandsaw, bandsaw blade, a few passes with my low angle jack plane, and the proper sanding technique I can get a very straight cut.

Step 5: Make Half Lap Joint

After I cut the pieces of walnut for the wooden bench seat bottom, I measured and marked the locations of the half lap joints.

I cut the half-lap joints on my bandsaw. To cut a half-lap joint, each joint needs to be cut half the thickness and the same width of the other board.

Also, I always cut my half-lap joints a bit small and clean them up with my chisels. Sandpaper works as well, but takes longer.

Step 6: Assemble Bottom

Once I finished cleaning the wood joints with my chisels, I glued the cross braces for the top runner and bottom runner.

Next, I clamped the half lap joints with F clamps and allowed them to dry for a few hours.

I used my festool domino to join the bottom and top runner to the 4 posts of the bench frame. Finally, I checked for square, used parallel clamps to secure everything in place, and allowed the bench bottom to dry overnight.

Step 7: Center Bench Bottom to Top

First, I used 2 speed squares to easily mark the location of the four bench legs. The first speed square measures from the side while the other measures from the end. By using 2 speed squares, I eliminate the potential of error when adjusting 1 speed square to measure 2 distances.

Once I marked the 4 locations, I placed the top of the legs bench bottom on the marks and traced it on each end.

Step 8: Make Connector Blocks

I find connector blocks (handmade pieces of wood) with threaded inserts make it easy to connect a table bench bottom to a bench seat. Additionally, it allows anyone to disassemble and reassemble the bench seat for shipping or transport.

So, I used pieces of walnut wood to cut out 4 identical connector blocks. Next, I used plastic wrap to prevent the connector blocks from sticking to the dining table bench bottom. Then, I applied glue and placed the connector blocks in the ideal location.

I used a scrap piece of thin walnut with a few clamps to apply a bit of pressure so the glue will adhere properly. Finally, I removed the bench bottom from the bench seat.

Step 9: Install Threaded Inserts

Threaded Inserts work really well to connect pieces of furniture together.

First, I placed the bench bottom in position and marked the depth of my drill bit with a piece of electrical tape.

Next, I drilled through the connector block and into the middle cross bar slightly deeper than the length of the threaded insert.

I removed the bench bottom and applied glue to the hole I drilled on the cross bar.

Then, I used my drill to secure the threaded insert in the hole very slowly in order to avoid stripping the hole. After the glue cured for a few hours, I secured the dining table bench seat to the bottom with a screw.

Step 10: Conceal Threaded Insert

To conceal the threaded insert, I cut a piece of walnut the same shape and size as the connector block.

I used a small black screw to secure it to the outside of the connector block. It worked well and concealed the hole perfectly.

Step 11: Install Furniture Pad Feet

To install the furniture pads, I followed the same procedure as the previous step.

However, the furniture pads screw into the threaded inserts instead of the screws.

Step 12: Apply Wood Finish

As a last step, I used Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2c to finish the kitchen table bench seat. Actually, my wife applied the finish to this dining table bench seat. She did a great job!

Remember, a little bit goes a long way with this finish.