How to Build a Kitchen Storage Bench

Tilt the tablesaw blade 15 degrees and, using the pieces themselves as a guide, set the rip fence to bevel one side of the head support, the head piece, the seat, and the bench back. Be sure the outside faces are up during the cuts.

The bench back gets beveled on both sides. The bevels are parallel to each other. Lay out the second bevel, and then place the piece on the saw. Align the tilted blade to the layout line and then adjust the fence to meet the workpiece. Cut the second bevel.

Set the tablesaw blade to 90 degrees. Set the fence 16-3/4 inches from the blade. Place the beveled side of the seat against the fence, long side of the bevel up, and rip the seat to final width. Repeat for the head support, head piece, and bench back.

Like the bench back, the bench front (D) has parallel bevels on its long sides. This time, the bevel is 5 degrees. Use the same process: Bevel one side first, then lay out the bevel on the piece before cutting the second bevel. Cut a 5-degree bevel on the bottom piece.

With your sliding bevel set to the angle you need, you can use it to lay out the second bevel on the seat back and the bench front. Measuring from the long side of the first bevel, mark the final width of the pieces. Then use the bevel gauge as shown to draw a layout line for the second bevel.

The tilt-angle gauge on a tablesaw or circular saw may not be precisely accurate, so it's best to use a sliding bevel gauge to set the angle. Start by drawing the angle on a piece of paper. (When you tilt a saw blade to 15 degrees, you're really tilting the blade 15 degrees from 90 degrees. On a protractor, that's 75 degrees.) Then set the angle on the bevel gauge.

Whenever you adjust a portable power tool -- whether adjusting a ripping guide on a circular saw, tilting a blade, or changing a router bit -- be sure that the tool is not plugged in. Many newer saws have an extra safety switch you must press with your thumb while pulling the trigger. These switches do reduce the risk of accidentally starting the saw, but you are still much safer if there is no power to the tool. Likewise, if you have a battery-operated saw, be sure to remove the battery before adjusting the blade.