Picnic Table Designs

As picnic table designs go, this design is probably the most common one-piece style. It is relatively easy to build and doesn't require many tools to do the job.

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Building this all-in-one picnic table

Note: Before cutting any wood or building any part of this picnic table, read through to the end of these instructions so that you can verify the materials list.

When reading through these instructions, think about how the pieces fit together and visualize building this picnic table plan.

Power tools required:

• Circular Saw
• Power Drill

Rough material list:

Material	Qty	Purpose
2" x 6" @ 10'	6	Legs, bench, and tabletop
2" x 4" @ 10'	1	Bench supports (free of knots)
2" x 4" @ 8'	3	Table top support (right and left) and misc.
3/8" x 3.5" Galvanized Carriage Bolts	12	Bench supports, legs, and diagonal support
2.5" Galvanized Deck Screws	100+/-	Table top, bench seat, misc. usage
3" Galvanized Deck Screws	20+/-	Table top, bench seat, misc. usage

Note: You can use any species of lumber you want to build this picnic table, but if you plan to keep it outside, I recommend using western red cedar.

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Picnic Table Designs - Assembling the All-In-One Picnic Table

1. Cut five 2x6s 60" long out of three of the 10' 2x6s.
2. Cut three 2x4s 28" long out of one of the 8' 2x4s.
3. On a flat surface, lay out the five 2x6s side by side, with the prettiest side facing down. Add about a 1/8-inch spacing between each 2x6. Align them so they are perfectly square.
4. Position a 2x4 brace 7.5 inches from each end of the tabletop (as shown in the diagram) and a third 2x4 brace in the center.
5. Attach the three 2x4s to the tabletop boards using two 2.5" galvanized deck screws per plank. Note: The 2x4 braces do not have to be flush (see diagrams below). Center them so that the 2x6 planks hang over the 2x4s equally on both sides.

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1. Mark an angle (with a speed square) 23 degrees on one end of a 10' 2x6 and cut it (this will leave a 67-degree angle on the leg).
2. Measure 31" from the long point of the previous angle, cut and mark another 23-degree angle (parallel to the first angle) and cut it. (see diagram below) Note: You can cut three legs from one 10' 2x6 and the remaining leg from the 5' piece of 2x6 leftover from a previous step.
3. From one of the 8' 2x4s, cut two pieces 28" (2'-4") long (these are the top sections of the leg assemblies).
4. On the top edge of one of the 2x4s, make a mark 4" from each end. This mark marks the position of the top of the legs. (see diagram)
5. Place the legs on the 2x4 (as shown in the diagram) and secure them on the edges with two 2.5" galvanized deck screws.
6. From the 10' 2x4, cut two pieces 60" (5'-0") long. These are the bench or seat supports.
7. Measure up 14.5" from the other end of each leg and make a mark. This mark is the height of the bench support.
8. Line up the top of the 60" bench support with the marks from the previous step.
9. Center it between the legs so that an equal amount of 2x4 extends from each side. (see the diagram below).
10. Temporarily secure the bench support to the legs with two 2.5" galvanized deck screws.

11. Drill a 3/8" hole through both boards where each piece connects, and secure the pieces together with four 3/8" x 3.5" carriage bolts, washers, and nuts. Note that the holes that secure the legs to the upper support should be drilled 2 1/4" from the top of the upper support (1 1/4" from the bottom) so that when you attach the leg assembly to the tabletop, the carriage bolts won't be in the way.
12. Repeat the steps above to assemble the remaining leg assembly.

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Attach the Leg Sections to the Table Top

1. Flip the table top upside down and attach the legs to each side of the tabletop braces. Use four 3" galvanized deck screws to secure each leg section. (see diagram)

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Attach the Diagonal Supports

1. From the remaining 8' 2x4, cut two 24" pieces with a 45-degree bevel angle on each end. These are the diagonal braces. (shown above)
2. From the bottom of the tabletop (point B) to the inside-middle of the bench support, make a mark at 17" (point C).
3. Make another 17" mark on the underside of the table from the inside plane of the bench support (point B) to the center board on the underside of the table (point A) (see diagram). The 24" brace, when attached, should line up with these two marks. If they don't line up, tilt the leg assembly until they do, and the legs and tabletop will be a perfect 90 degrees.
4. Temporarily secure the braces with 2.5" galvanized deck screws and then with carriage bolts.

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Finishing Up

With the diagonal braces in place and secured, flip the table upright and add the 60" 2x6 bench seats. (see diagrams) Using the remaining scrap 2x4 material, add supports to the middle of the bench seats. (see the Picnic Table Side View)

Cut the braces so that, once installed, they are about 1" from either edge of the tabletop or bench seat. Secure them with 2.5" galvanized deck screws.

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I hope you found these picnic table plans helpful. Check out the other picnic table designs on my free picnic table plans page.

Success.

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