Need advice

[Tom Parker]

My wife would like for me to make her a bench for the dinning table. The area is like a U shape and the bench will go at the back side, this is a small space so a 8' or a 10' Max on the length. I have never used the kreg system before so not sure how to lay our the plans for the holes to br drilled. Any pictures plans or ideas would help Thank you.

[Ian Waltenbery]

Tom,
When I am trying to build I really like to have a plan that has been worked out by someone else. I have found that the net has thousands of free woodworking plans available when I have gone looking.
If it is not a Pocket Hole plan look for one using biscuit or dowels. Use the dimensions from the plan and drill your pocket hole underneath. Also mortise and tenon plans work well. Just don't cut the tenons.
I also suggest a first project that is destined for the workshop or garage. There is a learning curve with the KREG jig, although it is quick and efficient once you are comfortable with it. My first projects were recycle bins and flower boxes so that I got used to the system.
good luck,
ianw

[Tom Parker]

Thank you for your advice

[Tom Parker]

Thank you the plans were a great idea

Phillip said:

http://www.woodcraftplans.com/uc67.htm
http://www.woodcraftplans.com/u925.htm
http://www.woodcraftplans.com/sw98.htm

Seating can be a bit challenging, but benches are the easiest of all seating. My first woodworking project 30 years ago was a trestle bench, which we still have and use. If you want to get creative you might look at a deacon bench with linen storage in the bench. Just a wide variety of possibilities. If you do not like it realize you can change it and build something different later.

The hole drilling is covered in the manual, take a look at the free plans here at the forum. You can get a good idea how things are supposed to work from the other plans. Not being evasive, but this is an art, not precise engineering. The worst that can happen is it will not hold a load and you can adjust accordingly.