Inspired by outdoor furniture built during Colonial times, this bench has contoured back slats and arms that make for comfortable seating. Mortise-and-tenon joinery ensures a solid bench that will last for years. The bench was traditionally made of mahogany and painted white, but it can be left natural and protected with a clear outdoor finish.

SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate

FINISHED SIZE:
22 3/8" deep by 62 3/4" wide by 40 11/16" tall

PLAN INCLUDES:

• Joinery details
• Scale drawing
• Component templates
• Detailed cutlist
• SketchUp drawing

Ever wish you could get a digital project plan that allowed you to customize the design to suit your own needs? Here they are! Digital project plans in SketchUP, the free Google drawing program.

Are there any other advantages? For starters, you'll get your plan immediately. Your digital plan will consist of drawings in PDF format, with detailed, measured drawings and a cutlist. Full-size drawings are included for critical parts and templates. All of the drawings can be printed on a typical consumer-grade computer printer -- the larger template drawings can be taped together or you can take the file on a disc or flash drive (or email) to a local copy center for printing on Arch D size paper. The projects also have written instructions to guide you through construction process. If you want to modify one of the projects, the SketchUp version of the plan will be perfect for you.

Available free from Google by clicking here, SketchUp allows you to manipulate the drawing and make as many changes as you like to fit your needs -- or make more substantial changes to the design. You're limited only by your creativity.

If you need help using SketchUp, visit our blog Design.Click.Build. hosted by Tim Killen and David Richards.