How to cut out using a jigsaw
Practice your cutting skills with this simple bench project. You can use as a potting bench - as in this project - or use for storage in any room in the home.
With just a few basic tools and an afternoon, you can create a bench for potting, transplanting and even displaying your flowers and spices. Your aching back will thank you!
This project has quite a few cut outs that need to be done; circles and hearts are cut out with a jigsaw, so you will an expert with a jigsaw after completing your bench.
You will need:
Laminated pine shelving
35mm wood screws
Drill/Driver and assorted drill and screw bits
Jigsaw and clean cut blades
Clamps
Workbench
Tape measure
Pencil
Ruler
180-grit sandpaper
Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint
Drop cloths
Here's how:
Step 1
Cut [2] of 450 x 1500mm sections for the sides, [2] of 450 x 580mm for the top of bottom, and [2] of 200 x 580mm for the shelves.
Step 2
On both sides, use a tape measure, pencil and ruler to measure and mark the positioning for the shelves. Do this on the inside and outside of the sides.
Step 3
Draw the hearts and then use a 10mm wood bit to drill a hole to allow you to insert the jigsaw blade.
Draw one heart on cardboard, cut it out, then trace it onto the sides to make six identical hearts. Be creative! You can make flower-shaped, sun-shaped or even ladybug-shaped cutouts on the sides.
Step 4
Clamp the sides firmly to a workbench - be sure to allow space underneath where you will be cutting. Insert the jigsaw blade into the drilled hole and start cutting out. You don't need to cut out the shape in one line - you can move around and reverse as often as you need.
Step 5
Repeat the above steps to measure, mark and cut out the circles in the shelf sections.
Step 6
Use your drawn marks to assemble all the sections using wood glue and screws. You won't need to drill pilot holes, as pine is fairly soft and your screw heads will sink below the surface.
It's a good idea to sand all the sections before you assemble
Finishing
For stability, secure the bench to a wall, deck, tree or even a pair of posts sunk into the ground. Take the unit outdoors and place on drop cloths and then use Rust-Oleum 2X Painters Touch spray paint in your choice of colour to paint your potting bench or shelf unit.