How to Build a Cedar Compost Bench _ This Old House
**Building a Compost-Bin Bench: A Step-by-Step Guide**
Welcome to This Old House! If you're looking to add seating to your backyard, why settle for a bench that just sits there? Introducing this handsome two-seater that earns its keep by doubling as a bin to conceal your compost pile. Follow the detailed instructions below to build this functional and stylish bench.
---
### **Materials Needed**
Before you begin, check out the cut list and measure drawing on this web page. Pick up your materials to start building. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lumber for the frame, slats, and brackets
- Deck screws
- Angle brackets
- Scrap wood for clamping
- A miter saw
- A circular saw
- A drill with pilot hole bit
---
### **Cutting the Lumber**
Use a miter saw to cut all your lumber to size. This will ensure precision and accuracy in your measurements.
To make the angle brackets for the arms and backrest, clamp a 2x4 blank to a piece of scrap wood. Use a circular saw to cut diagonally across it, corner to corner. This will give you two identical brackets for the arms and backrest.
---
### **Assembling the Frame**
1. **Corner Posts (Front)**
Clamp two of the short 2x4s together. Drill pilot holes and fasten them with deck screws. These will serve as the front corner posts of the bench.
2. **Corner Posts (Back)**
For the back, use a long 2x4 for the backrest. Make the corner post in the same way as above but ensure it’s long enough to accommodate the seat and backrest.
---
### **Installing Slats**
1. **Front Slats**
Measure and position the first slat on the corner post. Set it in just enough to accept the base cap. Drill pilot holes and fasten it with deck screws.
2. **Bottom Slat**
Install the bottom slat flush with the bottom of the corner posts.
3. **Middle Slat**
Attach the middle slat evenly between the other two. Find the center of the three slats and install a batten across them for the backrest.
4. **Back Slats**
Install the slats on the back in the same way, leaving an inset to accept the base cap later on. Go ahead and install the batten too.
---
### **Joining Front and Back**
1. **Sides**
Line up each side with one on the back and clamp it in place. Drill pilot holes through each slat and into the corner post, then screw them down.
2. **Front Assembly**
Once the sides are attached, rest the front of the bench on the side slats and fasten the front to the sides.
---
### **Adding Cross Braces**
Measure and cut cross braces to fit between the batens at the top and bottom of the bench. Clamp them in place, drill pilot holes, and screw them in securely.
---
### **Installing the Seat**
Arrange the seat slats with spacers between them and clamp them together. Install a batten on each side of the clamp set back from the edge to leave space for the seat lip. Drill pilot holes and screw the batons to the seat. Once done, fasten a third batten at the middle.
---
### **Building the Backrest**
1. **Footer**
Take the footer and mark the center of the board. Clamp it on edge and line up a bracket with the center mark. Drill pilot holes through the footer and into the bracket, then fasten the bracket with long deck screws.
2. **Cross Supports**
Lay the first cross support across the brackets, butting its edge against the footer. Drill pilot holes and screw it in place. Attach the second cross support flush with the top of the brackets.
3. **Slats for Backrest**
Clamp the two longest slats in place with a gap between them at the center of the backrest. Drill pilot holes through the cross supports and into the slats, then screw them down. Install the remaining slats, tapering down to the arms, using spacers to keep a consistent gap.
---
### **Final Assembly**
1. **Clamping the Backrest**
Clamp the backrest in place behind the seat. Drill pilot holes through the footer and into the base cap, as well as through the corner posts and into the brackets. Fasten the brackets to the bench with deck screws.
2. **Armrests**
Clamp one armrest to the table on edge and butt the brackets up against it flush at each end. Drill pilot holes through the board and into the brackets, then use long deck screws to fasten them. Install the armrests by measuring and marking the spots on the bench where you want them. Clamp the armrests in place and drill pilot holes through the brackets and into the bench.
---
### **Adding the Hinge**
1. **Hinge Installation**
Prop the seat on the bench and fasten the hinge to the footer. Bore out the top hole on the rear brackets with a larger bit and screw the brackets into the bench.
2. **Seat Lip**
To finish the piece, add a decorative lip to conceal the seat batens when the seat is closed. Mark the underside at the edge of each corner post, flip the seat up, and clamp the lip between your marks. Drill shallow pilot holes and screw the lip in place.
---
### **Final Touches**
Get someone to help you move the bench to its final spot and shim the corners to level it. Once everything is set, kick back and enjoy your new compost bin/bench!
---
This Old House hopes this guide helps you build a functional and stylish bench that doubles as a compost bin. Happy building!