Build It | Reclaimed Heart Pine Bench

Homeowners can add sturdiness and stylishness to their living areas by creating their own reclaimed heart pine benches. These unique, historical pieces feature reclaimed wood that adds a rich warmth to any family room. Read how to prepare, build, and preserve your own reclaimed heart pine bench in our step-by-step guide below, and watch the video above for tips from This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.

Understanding Heart Pine

Longleaf yellow pine trees produce heart pine. These trees take about 30 years to grow a single inch in diameter. New heart pine is not commercially available because of overharvesting in the early 20th century, but reclaimed heart pine offers homeowners the chance to make one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture.   

Characteristics of Heart Pine

• Dense grain structure
• Exceptional durability
• Resistance to decay
• Rich, warm color

Sourcing Reclaimed Heart Pine

Finding reclaimed heart pine can be an adventure in itself. Look for heart pine in the following spaces:

• Architectural salvage yards
• Demolition sites of old buildings
• Online marketplaces for reclaimed wood
• Reclaimed lumber specialists

When you’re selecting your piece, pay attention to any markings or stamps that might reveal the wood’s history. This can add an extra layer of character to your finished bench.

Preparing the Wood for the Heart Pine Bench

You must properly prepare your reclaimed heart pine before you start construction. Make sure the wood is clean, smooth, and ready for transformation. 

Clean the Surface

1. Use a power grinder that’s fit with 50-grit sandpaper to remove dirt and rough spots.
2. Follow up with 220-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish.
3. Wipe down the wood with a tack cloth to remove any remaining dust.

Cut to Size

Once you’ve cleaned the wood, cut it to the appropriate dimensions for your bench. Follow the steps below.

1. Use a miter saw to cut rough lengths for the bench top and legs.
2. Use a table saw to rip cut the legs, and remove 1/2 inch from both sides to create a slight offset.
3. Measure and mark carefully so that all pieces are the correct sizes.

Creating Mortise and Tenon Joints for the Heart Pine Bench

The strength and stability of your bench will depend on the quality of its joints. Follow the directions below to create mortise and tenon joints. These woodworking techniques will make your finished piece especially stable.

Cut the Tenons

Follow the steps below to create the tenons on the leg pieces:

1. Use plywood and scrap lumber to create a jig that can help you to guide your cuts.
2. Position the leg flush with the plywood and attach stops on each side.
3. Set the height for the tenon cut. This should be about 1 7/8 inches from the end.
4. Use a router with a straight-cutting bit to remove material and create the tenon.
5. Flip the leg and repeat the process on the opposite side to center the tenon.

Form the Mortises

Follow the steps below to tackle the corresponding mortises in the bench seat:

1. Use your dimensions to create a template, and account for the router bit and guide.
2. Secure the template over the area at which you want to cut the mortise.
3. Use a plunge router to carefully remove the material within the template.
4. Test fit the tenon in the mortise, and adjust it until you get a snug fit.

Adding Stability to the Bench with a Spreader

Incorporate a spreader between the bench’s legs to enhance the bench’s lateral stability. This additional support will prevent wobbling.

Prepare the Spreader

1. Cut a piece of a 2×6 beam to the appropriate length for your bench width.
2. Create tenons on both ends of the spreader using the jig method you used for the legs.
3. Cut through-mortises in the legs so that they accept the spreader tenons.

Enhance Leg Stability

Follow the steps below to make the bench stronger.

1. Cut a “V” notch into each leg where it meets the spreader.
2. Use a hole saw and jigsaw to create a small hole in the center of each spreader tenon.
3. Prepare tapered pegs to fit these holes. This will lock the joint in place when you begin assembly.

Sanding and Finishing Your Heart Pine Bench

You can protect your bench and enhance its beauty by properly sanding and finishing it. 

Sanding Process

1. Start sanding with coarse-grit sandpaper and progressively move to finer grits.
2. Pay special attention to any rough spots or splinters.
3. Finish with fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth surface.

Apply the Finish

Apply the finish by following the steps below. We recommend using oil:

1. Apply the oil generously with clean rags.
2. Allow the oil to soak into the wood and highlight the wood’s natural grain.
3. Wipe off any excess oil after a few minutes.
4. Apply multiple coats for additional protection, and allow each coat to dry thoroughly.

Assembly of Your Heart Pine Bench

Once you’ve prepared all your components, you can start assembling your bench.

Join the Legs and Spreader

1. Insert the spreader tenons into the leg mortises.
2. Secure the joints by driving the tapered pegs into the pre-drilled holes.
3. Make sure the legs are square and level before you proceed.

Attach the Bench Top

1. Apply wood glue evenly in the mortises across the top of the bench. 
2. Carefully position the leg assemblies into the mortises.
3. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the joints together.
4. Make sure the overhang is equal on all sides, and make any necessary adjustments.

Preserve History with Reclaimed Wood

Working with reclaimed wood affords you the chance to preserve a piece of history. The heart pine board included in the video features a stencil from P. S. Hutkins and Company, a Boston lumberyard that supplied materials to the shipbuilding industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Follow the steps below to showcase this element:

1. Position the stenciled portion on the underside of the bench.
2. Leave this area unfinished to maintain the integrity of the markings.
3. Consider adding a small plaque or tag to share the wood’s story with guests.

Tools