This is a simple, farmhouse design dog bowl stand or bench. The best part about this dog bowl stand is that you can make it from a single 1×12 – so the entire project should cost less than $15 (or $20 if you have to buy bowls). I really like this design and building these stands because it is an easy project that should only take a few hours in the afternoon, but also because I get to use a lot of different tools.
If you wind up building a dog bowl stand from these plans, or any of our other designs, send us some pictures using our submit your build page. We love to see your work, and it gives you a chance to show off your skills!
Materials Required
- 1 – 1×12 @ 4′
- Wood filler
- Wood glue
- 1 1/2″ wood screws
Tools Needed
- Table saw or circular saw
- Jig saw
- Router and 3/8″ round-over bit (optional)
- Drill / Driver combo
- Sander and sandpaper
Step 1: Cut your board into pieces
Since this entire dog bowl stand is made from one single 1×12, it is easier to make almost all of your major cuts at once. Start by cross-cutting your board at 22 3/4″. Now, rip that 22 3/4″ section down to 10 3/4″ to make your top board. With the remaining piece of the 1×12, rip cut it at 9″, and then cut two 10 3/4″ long pieces from the 9″ wide section. Save the remaining 2 1/2″ wide by 25 1/4″ piece – we’ll cut that piece down to be the stretcher after the legs are installed.
Step 2: Cut holes for bowls
Now that you have your top cut out, it’s time to cut the holes for your bowls. You have to start by measuring your bowls and determining the diameter of the inside of the lip. Our bowls were an 8″ outside diameter, with a 1/2″ deep lip for a final inside diameter of 7″.
Layout the pattern for your holes making certain they are centered from top to bottom, and have equal distances on the left, right, and center between the bowls. Once you have drawn the circles for the inner diameter of bowls, use a jig saw or router with a circle cutting jig to cut out the holes. Or, you can use drill a hole inside each of the circles and then use your jig saw to cut along the line.
Finally, route all four edges, top and bottom, of your dog bowl stand top with a 3/8″ roundover bit to give it a nice smooth, bullnose edge. We don’t want any sharp corners poking at our furry friends while they are eating.
Step 3: Style and attach the legs
Start your legs by making a mark 2 1/2″ in from each of outside bottom edges. Then draw a 45° angle from each mark to create the V on the legs. Use a jig saw or band saw to cut the Vs out.
Now it’s time to route the outside edges of the legs in the same manner as you just did the top. Remember only to do the outside edges (the 10 1/4″ long sides).
We’re going to mount the legs to the top by using three wood screws through the top into each leg. Mark a line 5/8″ from the outer edge of the top and pre-drill and countersink three holes for the screws. Then cover the top edge of the leg with wood glue and screw it into place. You can use wood plugs or wood filler to fill in the countersink holes later. Which you choose is going to depend on if you want to paint or stain the dog bowl stand.
Alternatively, you could use pocket hole screws from the inside underneath, but then you’d have pocket holes to fill.
Step 4: Attach the stretcher
Now it’s time to add the stretcher. Measure the distance between the two legs, it should be close to 19 1/2″. Then take the 2 1/2″ wide board you had left over from Step 1 and cut it to this measurement.
We’ll use wood glue and two wood screws, pre-drilled and countersunk through each leg to attach the stretcher.
Step 5: Sand and finish your dog bowl stand
Finally, it’s time to sand and finish. Start by filling the 10 screw holes with plugs or wood filler, then give the entire piece a good sanding to make it ready for paint or stain.
As always, if you have any questions as to how to make this dog bowl stand (or any of our other project plans), simply reach out to us via the comments section below and we’d be happy to answer your questions as best as we can.
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