Alternatives to sleepers for homemade pallet bench?

Firemunchkin

Bit of background:

Hubby and I have spent months gathering pallets (of a particular 1m x 1.2m size) in order to make a bench/seat for our garden. This forms part of a restoration project of our garden which formerly had a massive brick shed right in the middle. We demolished the shed ourselves, saved the bricks, put in a brick pathway down one side, built a brick BBQ, put a patio over the concrete base where the shed used to be, used reclaimed scaffolding boards to make raised beds and so on and so on.... We have done everything ourselves and it's been hard work, but we're trying to keep our costs down as much as possible. Plants, it seems, is the most expensive thing!

So, back to the bench. We collected the pallets over time and eventually we had enough for a bench. This is 4 pallets stacked, with two piles next to each other (so it's 2.4m across and 1m back). We had extra pallets so that we could remove the top slats and replace them closer together, removing the gaps. On the sides and front, we've affixed more pallet slats like a cladding material. We've sanded it all down and painted it. It looks pretty good! Cost: less than £20 (cost of nails and some wood paint). :money:

This is where the problem starts: It needs a back and sides to allow someone to lean back, have some support, or place their drink or food on something. It would look really good and really finish off the bench beautifully.

We have some wood left from the pallets (and other things), but nothing that's quite big enough for the back and side rests. We've been looking at sleepers - given their larger dimensions both on length, height and width - and they would be perfect. However, for the amount we need, we're looking at nearly £170. :eek:

I'm loathe to spend this given how little the rest of the bench has cost and really would like to try and keep the costs to a minimum.

I had thought about making the sides hollow and we'll make them into a growing area, although I haven't been able to do any measuring yet so not sure a) that it will work or b) what additional wood we'll need to get (if any).

Does anyone have any suggestions on alternatives to spending a heap of cash on sleepers? I appreciate it's difficult without seeing photos (how do I upload them?)

Dizzy_Ditzy

My garden bench was made from pallets. The bits for the seat bit are together with no gap, and we just used pallet bits with a gap for the back and sides. You're right though, it is hard to describe

You've just reminded me though that it needs painting again :eek:

SailorSam

'Buildeasy' is a good site with plenty of plans for any Diy project

Davesnave

I haven't read your post in detail, but these are fairly substantial:

http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/molevalleyfarmers/Dung-Board

Ralph-y

To show a picture you need to host the picture some where ... like 'tinny pic' or 'photo bucket'

then just post the link using the inset image button........

after seeing the photo's people will hopefully be better able to comment

good luck

Ralph:cool: