Built a garden bench from reclaimed scaffold boards, lessons learned

[StormForge89]

Finished my first proper outdoor build this weekend, a chunky garden bench from reclaimed scaffold boards, and I am equal parts proud and covered in splinters. Total cost was under forty for boards and fixings, plus a weekend and some language the neighbours did not need to hear

Main lessons for anyone considering the same. Reclaimed boards are never straight, plan joints that forgive a few millimetres of wander. Sand far more than feels necessary because scaffold boards have lived hard lives and they hold grudges. And exterior screws are worth every penny over the bargain box

Happy to share rough dimensions and the cutting list if anyone wants them. Next up is a matching planter if my enthusiasm survives contact with the offcuts pile, which history suggests is a coin flip

[Hannah56]

Pictures or the bench does not exist, house rules

[BlackMamba35]

Seconded, and specifically a photo of the joints, that is where scaffold builds live or die

[Tel86]

What did you finish it with? Bare scaffold boards outdoors will go grey and furry within a year here

[IronQuarry]

Decking oil, two coats, though I have heard arguments the grey weathered look is the whole point

[Josh_79]

The grey look is fine until the surface fibres lift and start eating trousers, oil was the right call

[Storm]

Where are people even finding reclaimed boards at sensible prices? Everywhere near me has discovered they are trendy and priced accordingly

[Highland Canopy]

Smaller scaffolding firms, ring and ask for boards they have retired, half the trendy resellers get them exactly that way