8 Easy Steps To Build/Make A Picnic Table
If you want to build or make a picnic table out of wood, you can do so very easily, you just need to follow certain steps mentioned below:
- Start At The Bottom: Start your work by cutting 4 picnic table leg of 2x6 lumber. Cut 2 legs at a time with the power miter saw. Cut angles on the top & bottom of legs using a circular saw and a guide. Now, cross-cut and level seat in order to lay support across the table legs. The tops of the seats & lay supports will be at least 18 inches from the leg bottoms & the ends of each support should extend 14 3/4 inches from each leg.
- Secure The Supports: Secure all the 2x4 supports to the legs with using the 3-inch deck screws. Lay your support across the legs and then fasten them. To avert twist, lay all the parts on a surface(dead-flat) and then strengthen all joints with carriage bolts. Be alert while you drive the flush of the screw head, but not so deeper it will risk the screw point poking out from the other side.
- Make The Frame: Now make your frame, simply crosscut all the side rails and then predrill 5/32"inch pilot holes to avert any splitting. Join all the parts by using the 3" inch deck screws. Now screw your top frame together. You need to use a simple pipe clam to hold all the parts in the correct position. Repeat this process to cut & fasten your seat frames.
- Assemble The Table: Now, you need to assemble your picnic table structure. First, position your tabletop assembly flush with the top of the legs and then clamp it into place. At the end of each top, you need to drive 3"inch deck screws through the inside of your frame & into legs. Now install carriage bolts to bolster all the joints.
Fasten your seat frames by driving the deck screws through the outside of your seat support into your frame. Make sure that your frame is flush with your seat support to make sure that seat planks, well, seat equally. - Reinforce The Base: To reinforce the table base & be sure that it does not tilt out of square, install 2 diagonal braces. Use your power miter saw to cut all the angled ends on these pieces. Slip the braces betwixt your seat support & top-frame cross support & then secure them by using 3-inch deck screws.
- Attach The Legs: Use a drill & 13/32"inch diameter bit to bore your bolt holes through with the legs & tabletop frame. Run you bit from outside to inside. Use a hammer to tap the carriage bolts through the holes, slide on nuts & galvanized washer & cuts and tighten with a socket wrench.
- Crosscut The Planks: Now lay the decking planks across your frame with wood grain texture facing up. Your planks should have a 5" inch overhang on each end and the end planks should be in 1" inch. Also bore 1/8" inch pilot holes through with the planks & frame. Fasten all the planks with 2 1/2" inch long trim head screws.
- Round The Ends: This is your last step, in order to maintain a uniform 1/4inch betwixt the planks, then use plastic spacers which are commonly designed for composite decking. Fit these betwixt each plank. Finish your project by rounding off the square ends of your every plank by using a router & a 3/8-inch-radius rounding-over your bit.