Picnic table designs
 

Summer's here and time for projects! :Kaleun_Applaud: I am going to build a new picnic table to replace the gargantuan table I used to have in town. I think I am going to go with a modified version of this table , just need to make it longer so it can seat 12.

https://cdn.instructables.com/F9Z/O4....jpg?width=614

Going to need a new tape measure that includes inches in decimals. :doh:

Beer table Neal..:03:

Jim has a picnic table and his wife hogs it with salads and tea cakes for the local mother's union. No wonder jim slopes off to his local pub in the beer garden. :)

Looks nice, but with more seats it will be harder to move (?)

Always thought US and english inches were the same, only differing by a millionth or so, usually same as 25,4 millimeters in the international system :hmmm:

(I know there are differences with drilling tools equipment though, imperial units, norwegian inches, indonesian ones and so forth. I remember making an automatic "programmed" conversion table for that at B. Hughes, using macros and VB in Excel.)

This was Neals beer garden :03:

http://i.imgur.com/Wmm87pX.jpg

@Neal: Yes, I reckon a bigger table would come in handy at the ranch :shucks:

I like the detailing on it, the floating center pieces, but those notoriously weak mitre joints concern me a bit. Unless you use some pocket hole screws on the underside, you'll either have exposed screws or a weak joint. And do your shins a favor, hit those with the largest roundover router bit you can, mitre joints are very sharp!

I agree with catfish here, that thing will be a beast to move if it's any bigger. Those base rails won't drag that easy. But they also have the advantage of not catching

I know there's a bazillion designs out there for picnic tables, and I assume you looked at a good portion of them before settling on this one, so you're probably not that interested in look at more, but April Wilkerson on Youtube just recently released a pretty good video on making a picnic table, and she does discuss a couple design issues IIRC.

Don't bother with a decimal imperial tape measure. First off, they are relatively expensive, and hard to find (Amazon has 1). Get yourself a conversion chart from google, print out the one you want, and round off the measurements to the nearest 1/64th or 1/32nd. On a picnic table, nobody will notice errors of that size, in fact, they are pretty much expected. Or invest in a decent 20' tape measure that has both english and metric, so you can convert on the fly.

The WoodWhisperer Youtube channel just did a video within the last few weeks on finishing an outdoor table. He's a professional whom I've learned a lot from, and I plan on using his finish of choice for any of my outdoor projects. Whatever you do, don't skimp on the finish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l5ckkep7K0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDlLsVzbkX4

Thinking about recruiting apostles?...


This design seemed to work out for the purpose...


http://www.jaydax.co.uk/lastsupper/lastsupp.jpg





<O>

Don't forget the inexpensive plastic 'planter boxes' adapted to the loose removable center board(s) for serious hot Texican summer refreshment!https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...e689a506dc.jpg But on a 25 ' version of this style for that roundtable effect: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...99b5062ac4.jpg

Yeah, Jim, that was a really big table, seated 8 on each side (though in the picture there is another table next to it).

I don't mind it being hard to move, I have a tractor I can use to lift it up and move it. I think it's nice to have a table that can handle my family and guests without having to resort to breaking up into groups. Plus a heavy table means it won't rock or feel unstable.

@Gargamel, wow, that guy is really serious about sanding! He must have spent $1000 on sandpaper and epoxy. I'm going to let nature take its toll on the table and build a new one when it gets too weathered.

That's a festool sander he's using, don't ask how much that alone cost.....

I chickened out and went the standard design.
http://www.diygardenplans.net/diy-cl...cnic-table.htm

Pretty simple and without a shop to work in and 70% of my tools in storage, manageable.

Picked up the material and ready to start making cuts :)

A handsaw and chisel is all you need! Get off my lawn!

;)

What wood you planning on using?

Ha, I'm not that skillful. Treated lumber, I guess pine?

Go the table section assembled, using the 6' design I just doubled the design and added a center leg section and two more battens.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=9426

Made it to this stage before some friends arrived, so will continue tomorrow with the additional braces and seats.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=9427

I would go with concrete and maybe even a nice slab if budget isn't a problem. Use stacking plastic chairs for all around conversation times.

http://pdword.com/wp-content/uploads...es-768x512.jpg

http://pdword.com/concrete-picnic-ta...picnic-tables/

All done, next weekend: BBQ

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=9428