DIY Concrete and Wood Bench

This is an easy DIY concrete and wood bench project. I used 5-gallon buckets to form concrete columns for the base and used cedar 2x6s for the top. The modular design allows the pieces to be moved separately and the design works well at different lengths. I need a lot of outdoor seating for events at my new properties and this DIY bench is great for outdoor parties.

I will do a follow up video on testing the 20-foot version and I ma considering adding a tension cable or a 3rd piece of concrete.

Thanks to Ryobi and Kreg for sponsoring this video:

Check out Ryobi's current RYOBI Day Sale!

Kreg Pocket-Hole Jig

Kreg Portable CrossCut

Cedar is great for outdoor builds and I find Cedar dealers here:

For additional projects and information check out our website:

[gladbandanna]

Just wanted to thank you! I used this design for a 10ft bench for our neighborhood bus stop (which is on the corner of our property). That way, the parents and kids have somewhere to chill before getting on the bus. Everyone loves it!

[americanpancakelive]

WD-40 sprayed in the bucket and wiped around makes a great release agent. I love this design and plan on making this.

[WilliamsSkilliams]

No one seems to be mentioning this but it’s a pretty killer design! It’s modular, portable, extendable, and it looks great! Put the short version in a furniture shop and it would bring in the big bucks!

[BYOTools]

Not only do I love the style of this bench but I also love the small amount of tools and materials needed to build it. Great job as always.

[zdenek]

Polystyrene block does the job for me, I find it easier to remove if from the concrete afterwards. Neat bench!

[workinprogress]

What I like about this idea, is that you can add angle iron to it and create a portable skate obstacle

2:50 If you have access to pink foamboard, you could have used this too. Much easier to remove than stacked 2x4's

[rbaker]

Paraffin oil generally is lightly sprayed over plastic foam forms or form liners. Castor oil, or petroleum jelly thinned with kerosene, also are good release agents. Concrete forms, even if they are ground, smoothed and polished, require a release agent to prevent sticking and enable easy stripping

[pauldejesus]

that has to be the best and easiest design i have ever seen thanks fore posting

[garagemonkeysan]

Great video and design. Simple is hard. Wow, 20 ft long! Go big! Mahalo for sharing! : )

[rscott]

A release agent on your concrete form components will ease removal. Used motor oil or silicone spray work nicely. Pretty cool project.

[jasonbollman]

Great project, not to mention some great tips to use for other projects. Thanks for sharing!

[delbarfield]

🎉 Perfect clean seat . Portable cushions

[ronnieg]

What a great idea regarding the yoga mat. You’re very creative.

[croness]

interesting.i searched for concrete and wood bench a few weeks ago and now I got this video recommended to me and its the best one for what intended to do; outdoor bench with the least amount of power tools.

[barwithm]

This is a killer idea. Simple to make but looks so nice.

[bvb]

Great design. I really appreciate it. A bit of advice.
First, use a release agent where contacting the concrete. It's a really light oil and it works amazingly well.
Second, instead of using a solid piece of lumber for the negative space. You could split that piece diagonally forming two wedges with an 1/8" shim to replace the kerf. Then once set, you could remove the shim and each piece could then slide out easily. Assuming you took advantage of my first suggestion. :)
Best of luck and keep up the great ideas.

[yashkorat]

You can use releasing agent oil or water based on the surfaces for easy and smooth casting release. Cheers

[maurosabino]

O melhor que eu já tinha visto 👏👏👏👏 🇧🇷

[MrKrueger]

This guy and his work are just fantastic 🎉💯👍

[alexsafonov]

thank you for sharing this useful and inexpensive bench design :)

if you can show us the process of melting down the plastic from the bucket and transforming it to something else, I would be very interested to see that.