How to Build an Outdoor Picnic Table
Project Introduction Overview
Everyone enjoys the look
and utility of good outdoor furniture. Due to the high cost of buying, many do
it yourselfers are making their own custom pieces. In these pages we are going
to show you the correct way to build an outdoor table in your own workshop. We
will take you through step by step, from initial planning to the finished
product.
Planning
Go through the tools and
materials checklist carefully. Know the safety standards for the project. Plan
to gather the items that you will be using, and place them where you will be
building. The outdoor table is very large; you must plan its location so you
can take it outside upon completion. If you don't have enough space inside to
build it, then assemble it on a driveway or other flat area.
Look down the list and
find materials of the same kind and thickness. Plan to buy these materials in a
size that will produce the number of pieces you will need with the least amount
of waste. Add up the total number of board feet, being careful to make sure you
group short pieces in a board with long pieces to minimize waste.
Due to corrosion,
special care should be taken when selecting materials. Look for hot dipped
galvanized fasteners when assembling outdoor furniture. Also for any gluing,
look on the label to see if the glue is waterproof. This will keep the
furniture sturdy for years.
The design for outdoor
furniture is very different from in door designs. There is less intricate
detail but a higher degree of sturdiness. The cuts are made once, so measure
twice and cut carefully leaving no extra length on the ends.
Safety Tips
1.
Safety glasses or
goggles should be worn whenever power tools are in use and when chiseling,
sanding, scraping or hammering overhead. This is very important if you wear
contact lenses.
2.
Wear ear protectors when
using power tools. Some operate at noise levels that damage hearing.
3.
Be careful of loose hair
and clothing so that it does not get caught in tools.
4.
The proper respirator or
face mask should be worn when sanding or sawing or using substances with toxic
fumes.
5.
Keep blades sharp. A
dull blade requires excessive force and can slip which causes accidents.
6.
Always use the right
tool for the job.
7.
Repair or discard tools
with cracks in the wooden handles or chips in the metal parts.
8.
Don't drill, shape or
saw anything that isn't firmly secured.
9.
Oily rags are
spontaneously combustible. Take care when you store and discard them.
10.
Don't abuse your tools.
11.
Keep a First Aid Kit on
hand.
12.
Do not work with tools
when you are tired. That's when most accidents occur.
13.
Read the owner's manual
for all tools and know the proper use of each.
14.
Keep tools out of reach
of small children.
15.
Unplug all power tools
when changing settings or parts.
Know Where Your Hands Are At All Times!
Most Common Mistakes
The single most common
mistake in any do it yourself project is the failure to read and follow the
manufacturer's instructions for any tool or material being used. Other common
mistakes include taking the safety measures that are laid out for a project for
granted, and poor project planning. Here is a list of hints to successfully
complete a project and to do it safely
.
1.
Follow the "Golden
Rule" of measuring: "Measure twice, cut once."
2.
Provide yourself plenty
of time for each step.
3.
Know your plan
4.
When finishing the wood,
keep dust and dirt away from the cabinet.
5.
Follow the instructions
on your choice of finish carefully.
6.
Drill holes in table
legs after you are sure everything is aligned.
7.
Always use rustproof
fasteners, such as hot dipped galvanized metal.
8.
Use a siding nail on top
of the table. Their heads are smaller than common nails and will not be as
visible. Brass ring shanked boat nails are excellent if available.
9.
Be sure to use
waterproof glue on the planter box.
10.
Be sure to drill pilot
holes before driving nails near the end of boards.
11.
Be sure your cuts are
the specified dimension and cut at the proper angle.
12.
Use a jig or a stop
block on a table saw to be sure to get several boards cut identically.
Plans
To make the table
larger, add four inches to the length of the long spokes, add two inches to the
length of the short spokes, plus two inches to the length of the planks. Move
the legs two inches farther away from the center and the result is an increase
of seating by four inches in diameter. Also you will need to increase the
number of top planks.
If you increase the
length you will also have to figure out how long each course (or circle) of
planks will be. If you are using 3 1/2" wide boards (2 x 4's) the
individual planks in each row will be 4 1/4" shorter than the row to the
outside, assuming a 1/4" space between rows for drainage.
Terminology
These are some terms
that you need to be familiar with:
1.
Miter
Cut - Angle cut across
the width or thickness of the board
2.
Cleats
- (or supports)
Small boards that support the seat ends.
3.
Gussets
- Round pieces of
wood that strengthen the center of the spokes.
4.
Kerf
- Width of the blade
5.
Dowel
- Wooden pin used to
provide strength and alignment
Wood Selection
Outdoor furniture needs
to be durable and resist rot, decay, and water stain. Three natural heartwoods
are preferred for this: redwood, cedar and cypress. These woods contain natural
oils that tolerate the weather and both have warm, rich colors. A heartwood is
the wood from the center of the tree. The area around the center carries the
sap in the tree and is called sap wood.
Another material that is
widely used in constructing outdoor furniture is pressure treated wood. This is
a less expensive choice than natural rot resistant woods and more readily
available. When you make the cuts on this type of wood, a water repellent will
need to be applied to the end grain because the pressure treatment only
penetrates 1/4" to 1/2" into the wood.
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