Create a nice hairpin bench with a backrest. This project is really easy and there are so many cool ways to use these new bench hardware sets. The hairpin benches came out great and have a sleeker, mid-century, modern look that's a nice alternative to our rustic pipe benches.

SUPPLIES:

2x12 8' Long
Available at Home Depot
An 8 foot long 2x12 makes a sturdy bench. If you want a shorter bench, you can have one of the nice Home Depot employees cut down a 2x12 to your desired size.

2x8 8' Long
Available at Home Depot
An 8 foot long 2x8 makes a sturdy bench. If you want a shorter bench, you can have one of the nice Home Depot employees cut down a 2x12 to your desired size.

 OR 

3/4" PureBond Plywood 4x8 Sheet
Available at Home Depot
Purebond uses a formaldehyde-free technology to make plywood that’s better for your family and the environment. It promotes healthy indoor air quality due to its proprietary, soy-based adhesive (instead of potentially hazardous urea formaldehyde). Traditional plywood contains a lot of glues and adhesives that can off-gas formaldehyde into your home.

Hairpin Legs
Available at the DIY Furniture Store

Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish
Available at the Home Depot
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish is a protective topcoat for use on interior wood surfaces including furniture, trim, doors and cabinets. It can be used over bare wood and both oil-based and water-based stains. Polycrylic can be recoated in only 2 hours. Minwax Polycrylic resists damage from abrasion, scuffing, chipping, water, alcohol and other common household chemicals.

TOOLS:

RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill
Available at Home Depot








RYOBI Orbital Sander
Available at Home Depot








RYOBI 18 Volt Circular Saw
Available at " target="_blank">Home Depot








Husky Box Cutter
Available at Home Depot

INSTRUCTIONS:

 Option A: Using 2x12s or 2x8s 

STEP 1A: Cut the 2x12 or 2x8
You can cut the 2x12 yourself with a RYOBI circular saw or have it cut to the desired length at Home Depot. I recommend a premium fir 2x12.



STEP 2A: Sand + Finish the Wood
Husky box cutter to carve down the edges, my RYOBI orbital sander to sand the boards and chalkboard paint from Home Depot to give the bench a nice, matte grey finish.







STEP 3A: Attach the Leg Hardware
Use 1 1/4" screws to connect the hardware to the wood. Test the bench to make sure it's level. If it wobbles, you'll need to adjust the length of the legs.







STEP 4A: Level the Legs
If the wood is warped, the bench will wobble a bit. I added some strips of wood under the legs that where short and cut recesses under the legs that were too long. To cut the recesses, I tried using both a hammer and chisel and my RYOBI Multi-Tool with a wood blade. The hammer and chisel worked well, but the power tool was faster.






 Option B: Using Plywood 
If you don't want the hassle of leveling a warped 2x12 or 2x8, use two layers of plywood for the seat and a single layer of plywood for the back.

STEP 1B: Cut the Plywood
Use a pencil to mark the cuts. Clamp the plywood to a work table and cut the strips with a circular saw. I clamped a straight board to use as a guide for the long cuts.

STEP 2B: Glue + Screw
Line up the edges of the support boards and apply a generous amount of wood glue. I used four clamps to help hold the plywood in place and 1 1/4" screws to securely fast the 2 layers of plywood together. If you're precise when lining up the edges, you won't need to do much sanding.

STEP 3B: Sand the Edges
You can use an orbital sander or do it by hand. I started with 120 grit and finished with 220 grit paper.

STEP 4B: Finish the Plywood
I applied 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic per the manufacturer's instructions and got a nice, clear satin protective finish.

















Good luck making your own hairpin bench and please email or tweet photos to @benuyeda or ben@homemade-modern.com. For more detailed instructions, dimensioned drawings and different variations of the project, check out our soon-to-be-released book.

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