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How to Make a Piano Bench With Storage

If you have just purchased a piano, or if your old piano bench is no longer serviceable, then making your own piano bench instead of buying one from a manufacturer may save you some money. Some designs for piano benches are quite complex for novices, so if you are just starting out as a woodworker, you'll want a piano-bench plan that sticks to basic angles and attachment methods. You'll also want a plan that accommodates your need for storage of piano music.

Things You'll Need

2 wood boards (3" x 0.5" x 12")
2 wood boards ( 4" x 0.5" x 24")
1 wood board (12" x 1" x 24")
1 wood board (13" x 1" x 25")
4 wood posts (2" x 2" x 17")
Screws
Nails (optional)
Hammer (optional)
Electric drill/screwdriver
Sandpaper
2 large hinges

Instructions

Assembly
- 1
  Sand all wood pieces with the sandpaper until they are smooth.
- 2
  Nail or screw the first 3" x 0.5" x 12" board to the top of the left side of the 12" x 1" x 24" board so that the 12" edges line up and form an "L" shape. Nail or screw the second 3" x 0.5" x 12" board to the top of the right side of the 12" x 1" x 24" board so that the 12" edges line up. A "U" shape should be formed by all three pieces--these are the sides and bottom of the main part of the bench.
- 3
  Line the 24" side of the 4" x 0.5" x 24" board up with the 24" side of the 12" x 1" x 24" board. Nail or screw the 4" x 0.5" x 24" board to the 3" x 0.5" x 12" boards and the 12" x 1" x 24" board. You now should have the front and back sides attached.
- 4
  Nail or screw the four wood posts (2" x 2" x 17") to the bottom of the 12" x 1" x 24" board, one near each corner.
- 5
  Screw the hinges to the top of the back panel of the main frame. (The hinge should open away from you and the top part of the hinge should be free.) Connect the top part of the hinge to the underside of the 13" x 1" x 25" board (the bench seat and storage lid) so that the 13" x 1" x 25" board sits on top of the main frame when the hinge is closed. The overhang lip of the lid should be even all the way around.

Antiquing