DIY Bench Supplies

🪑 Bench Workshop Supply List

If you’re joining one of our in-person bench upholstery workshops or have purchased the online course, here’s a quick list of what you’ll need to bring with you. Everything else like upholstery tools, staples, etc. will be provided at the workshop.

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What to Bring for In-Person Workshops

• Plywood for base – 3/4" thick plywood cut to preferred size. Most benches are 16-17" deep then what length you desire.

• Foam – High-Density 3” Upholstery Foam or Upholstery and Foam Suppliers like RONCO carry foam.

• Bonded Dacron or Batting - Dacron by the Yard (bring enough to cover the length of your bench with the foam)

• Bench Legs 15-16" tall – Set of 4 Wood Legs OR Hairpin Legs

• Decorative Nails – Upholstery Decorative Nails (if you're going to buy any off Amazon decotacks are the better option. Otherwise DADS Tacks and Blue Caspian are preferred for quality and ease of installation. 

If you’re unsure of dimensions, your pre-workshop course info will include all recommended sizing and quantities.

Full Bench Build & Upholstery Supply List for DIYers

Whether you’re attending online or working on your own at home, here’s the full list of recommended tools and materials for bench projects.

🔨 Frame & Build Supplies

• Drill + Bit Set – Cordless Combo Set  or I use Dewalt for all of my cordless tools 

🪡 Upholstery Tools

•  Stapler – Pneumatic Upholstery Staple Gun or Manual Option

• Compressor for Pneumatic Staple Gun– Pancake Air Compressor

• Staples for Pneumatic Gun- 3/8" staples
  
• Foam Cutter – Electric Carving Knives work great until you're ready to upgrade to a foam saw

• Staple Puller – Pair of Pullers (C.S. Osborn tools are my preference otherwise)

• Scissors – Heavy Duty Upholstery Scissors 

🧵 Upholstery Materials

• Foam – High-Density 3” Foam 

• Dacron or Batting – Dacron by the Yard

• Dust Cover Fabric – Black Cambric Fabric

• Cardboard Tack Strip (if installing fringe) – Cardboard Tack Strip

• Spray Adhesive – Fabric and Foam Adhesive 

🐂 Leather & Hide

• Hair-on-Hide Upholstery Leather from Texas Leather Goods and Leather Hide Store

📏 Measuring + Finishing

• Tape Measure – Dress Maker's Tape Measure

• Nylon Tip Upholstery Hammer (for decorative nails) – Upholstery Hammer 

• Pneumatic Decorative Nailer - There are name brand ones, but this Decorative Nailer costs less and is one we use in our workshops and has held up well. You can also get different Decorative Nailer Sleeves for different sized decorative nail heads. 
• Decorative Nails – Upholstery Decorative Nails (if you're going to buy any off Amazon decotacks are the better option. Otherwise DADS Tacks and Blue Caspian are preferred for quality and ease of installation. 
• Fringe Cutting Supplies- I use a cutting mat with 1/4" measurements, a clear ruler, and a rotary cutter to cut fringe. This suction handle may also help you move your ruler into place and hold steady pressure while cutting.

DIY Tip

For beginners, focus on your core tools first — a good stapler, foam, and solid frame materials. Everything else can be upgraded as you grow.