Make improvements about the bench (6)
I believe the answer is:
reform
'make' is the definition.
(I know that reform is a more specific form of the action create from raw material)
'about the bench' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'the bench' becomes 'form' (I've seen this before).
're'+'form'='REFORM'
'improvements' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reform that I've seen before include "Removal of abuses" , "Correct(ion of) abuses" , "Show improvement" , "Abandon evil practices" , "Go straight" .)