Outdoor bench

Is this just a plain bench or does it include a back? Either way hand tools should work fine. I’m surprised that yellow pine is that much more cheaper than cedar. I would assume you will use 2” thick material so you can either bolt it together or use corrosion resistant deck screws for assembly. Finishing is pretty basic. A good oil base primer and a couple of coats of an exterior acrylic house paint should do it. If you want a more natural wood look use a good wood deck sealer. The paint should last longer; the deck sealer will need renewing every 2 years unless you keep the bench inside when not being used.
Be sure paint all the pieces before final assembly (that includes any bolt holes) so there are no raw wood areas in the joints that could absorb moisture (rain) and rot.

-- Les B, Oregon

It is a garden bench with a full back. The slats are mortises and joint. But I can do that with the router table and a chisel.

The pine here in SC is about half the cost of cedar.

-- My workshop is a 8 x 8 shed! No Joke!