How to Build a Picnic Table
All of us love frequently eating out of the home, in the fresh air. And for hectic schedules of present times, a picnic table can be of great use. Cypress, cedar and rosewood tables can be great options. Water repellents may also be used to protect the colour and prevent the wood from rotting and cracking. Also, hot dipped galvanised fasteners are better used for outdoor furniture, your picnic table being such a piece. The glue used should be waterproof as well. The exterior furniture should have proper lengths and ends cut, besides being sturdier.
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6 pieces of 2x6x8 select redwood boards
2 2x4x8 select redwood boards
2 2x2x8 redwood boards
4 3/8"x3 1/2" galvanized carriage bolts
2 3/8" x2" galvanized carriage bolts
6 3/8" galvanized washers
6 3/8" galvanized nuts
7/16" paddle bit
6" speed square
2 wood clamps
Driver attachment
Table saw
Chop saw
Socket Set
Hammer
Tape Measure
Pencil
Screw gun
Hardware: small box of 2.5 inch redwood deck screws
Instructions
Measuring and cutting wood to the perfect size is the first step. 6 pieces of 2x6x8 down to 72 inches are to be made. These will help to construct the table surface. One stringer to bind the table top, of the 2x2x8 boards down to 3 pieces, 30 3/4 inches in length has to be chopped out. By setting the saw, making a 25 degree angle with a length of 32 inches from a long to a short point, the legs out of the 2x4x8 have to be cut out. Now, the diagonal that supports, preventing the legs from collapsing under the last 2x2x8 have to be cut out. You have to set the saw, to cut from a long to long point, at a 45 degree angle.
Utilise the metre guide to chop the wood from left to right, not removing an 1/8 of an inch per pass, back and forth. An "X" is formed. Some wood glue can be added to the half flap channel before the two pieces are joined for increased stability. On the top of the assesmbly, one of the 3 pieces of stringers can be clamped together. Using the paddle bit, through the leg piece and stringer on both sides, drill a 7/16" hole.
With a hammer, 3 1/2" carriage bolts can be pounded through the holes. On the other side, a washer can be tightened and secured at the middle of the halflap, using a 2 inch carriage bolt. Repeat the above. All the 6 2x6x72" pieces composing the table top should be lain face down, adjacently to allow the expansion of wood, an 1/8" gap can be left between the boards. To drill pilot holes down the stringer, the legs should be exposed underside, in their final position.
With 2 1/2" deck screws, fix the table to its legs, going through the pilot holes drilled in the stringer. A diagonal beam should be inserted for support and a third stringer screwed between the tow leg assemblies, halfway.
