Simple Directions for Building a Picnic Table

If you are grilling out or hosting a barbecue, you will need a place for family and guests to dine. Build a simple picnic table in less than a day for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a prefabricated table. Choose treated lumber so your picnic table will withstand the elements and provide years of enjoyment.

Instructions

Cut the Lumber

1

Cut four 30-inch-long sections from 2-by-8 lumber with a hand saw. Cut a 22-degree angle on each end of the sections. These are the legs.

2

Cut two 26-inch-long sections from 2-by-4 lumber. These are the top crosspieces.

3

Cut two 60-inch-long sections from 2-by-8 lumber. These are the bench crosspieces.

4

Cut two 26-inch-long sections from 2-by-4 lumber. Cut a 45-degree mitered angle on each end of the boards. These are the side braces.

5

Cut two 10-inch-long sections of 2-by-4 lumber. These are the bench braces.

6

Cut a 30-inch-long section from 2-by-4 lumber. This is the tabletop brace.

7

Cut nine 72-inch-long sections of 2-by-6 lumber. These are the bench and tabletop pieces.

Assemble the Frame

8

Place a top crosspiece on one of the legs. The top corner should be flush with the outer corner of the leg. Secure it by driving a 2-1/2-inch deck screw through both boards with a screwdriver. Attach a leg to the other end of the top crosspiece in the same manner.

9

Place the bottom edge of a bench crosspiece 15 inches from the bottom of a leg. The crosspiece will extend 10 inches past the outside of the leg. Drill two holes through the bench crosspiece and leg with a 7/16-inch drill bit. Place a 3-1/2-inch-long carriage bolt through each hole. Place a washer on the bolt and secure it with a nut. Attach the crosspiece to the other leg in the same manner.

10

Repeat to build the other side of the frame.

Add the Benches and Tabletop

11

Place the outer edge of a bench piece flush with the outer edge of a bench crosspiece. The end of the bench piece will extend 2 inches past the bench crosspiece. Secure the bench piece with a 2-1/2-inch deck screw. Attach the bench piece to the crosspiece on the other frame in a similar manner.

12

Place another bench piece on the crosspiece. Allow 1/4 inch space between the bench pieces. Secure each end to the bench crosspieces with 2-1/2-inch deck screws. Repeat to attach the remaining bench piece on the opposite side of the frame.

13

Place a tabletop piece on the outer edge of the top crosspiece. The end of the tabletop will extend 2 inches past the crosspiece and have a 2-inch overhang on the side. Secure the tabletop to the crosspiece with a 2-1/2-inch deck screw. Repeat to attach the tabletop piece to the crosspiece on the other frame.

14

Place a second tabletop piece on the crosspieces and secure it with 2-1/2-inch deck screws. Repeat to add the remaining three tabletop pieces.

Install the Braces

15

Place one end of a side brace on the center of the crosspiece and the other end against the underside of the tabletop. Secure each end with 2-1/2-inch deck screws. Repeat to add the side brace on the opposite end of the table.

16

Place a bench brace across the middle of the bench pieces on one side. Secure it by screwing a 2-1/2-inch deck screw through the bench pieces and into the bench brace. Repeat to add a bench brace to the bench pieces on the opposite side of the table.

17

Place the tabletop brace on the underside of the table across the center of the tabletop. Secure the brace to the tabletop by screwing 2-1/2-inch screws through each tabletop piece and into the brace.