Make a Figured White Oak Bench Seat, for Steel Base

Sometimes the simplest projects are the most rewarding. For this build, I’m combining a unique piece of wood I’ve held onto for years with a secondhand bench frame I picked up for just a couple of dollars. The end result: a one-of-a-kind bench seat that highlights the beauty of figured white oak.

The Starting Point

The base for this project is a bench I found at a thrift shop. Structurally, it wasn’t very strong, the previous owner had laminated two pieces of 3/8" plywood together, but without much success. The seat flexed and had no real rigidity. I knew replacing it with a solid piece of oak would both strengthen the bench and give me the chance to finally showcase a board I’ve been saving.

Choosing the Wood

The star of this project is a highly figured piece of white oak. I bought it years ago simply because I loved the grain, but it was so unique that I never found the right use for it, until now. The seat needs to measure 13 ¾" wide, but the oak board is only 9 ½" wide, so I decided to rip the board and add strips of white oak on either side.

I briefly considered using walnut for contrast, but ultimately decided that would compete with the figured grain. Instead, I stayed with white oak, letting the character of the central board do all the talking.

Joining the Boards

I cut the boards to rough length and width, then prepared to join them. For this, I used a biscuit joiner. While some woodworkers aren’t fans of biscuits, I find they make alignment much easier. The key is setting the joiner deep so that if the biscuits telegraph through the surface, they show up on the underside, not the top.

Once glued, I wiped away excess glue with a damp rag and set the seat aside to dry.

Making the Clips

While the glue cured, I turned to the steel base. It has a 3/8" steel rod running its length, so I needed to make wooden clips that would cradle the rod and secure the seat in place. I used cherry blocks, cutting a notch with the table saw and crosscut sled, then shaping them on the band saw and belt sander. After pre-drilling and countersinking, the clips were ready to attach.

Cutting and Finishing the Seat

Once the glue-up dried, I unclamped the seat and cut it to final length. To prevent tear-out, I wrapped the ends in painter’s tape. For a subtle design element, I cut the ends at a 15° angle using a circular saw and jig.

With the new oak seat in place, the bench instantly felt sturdier and more refined. The blend of steel and wood gives it a clean, modern look, and it makes me even more excited to get back into welding projects later this spring.

Final Thoughts

This project was a great reminder that you don’t always need elaborate plans or expensive materials. A thrifted frame and a saved-off board came together to create something functional, durable, and beautiful.

If you have questions about this build, drop them in the comments, I’ll answer them in my next update. And if this is your first time here, consider subscribing for more woodworking projects. A thumbs up is always appreciated!