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Redwood Projects Build the Classic Picnic Table
An
excellent weekend project, this easy-to-build picnic
table will soon become the focal point of your backyard.
Redwood's beauty and durability will ensure countless
summers filled with barbecues, picnics and outdoor parties. The
economical, knotty redwood garden grades, such as Construction
Common or Deck Common, are great choices for building
your table. For maximum durability, choose Construction
Heart or Deck Heart.
| Materials
for Table |
|
Quantity
|
Size
|
Length
|
| Top
Slats |
5 |
2x6 |
60
inches |
| Cleats
|
2 |
2x4 |
27
inches |
| Legs
|
4 |
2x4 |
40
inches |
| Braces
|
2 |
2x4 |
30
inches |
| Machine
Bolts, Washers and Nuts |
6
sets |
3-1/2
inches x 1/4 inch |
| Deck
Screws |
1
pound |
4
inches |
|
Build
the Table Top
 Measure
and cut the 2x6 slats. Lay the slats on a clean and
stable work surface with their most attractive sides
down. Separate the slats with 1ΒΌ4-inch spacers and square.
Clamp the slats together with a bar clamp.
Fasten
the Cleats
 Cut
the 2x4 cleats to 27 inches and trim the ends at 45
degree angles starting 2 inches down from top edge.
Place a cleat on edge 7 inches from each end of the
table top. Allow a 3/4-inch margin from the table's
edges. With the combination countersink bit, drill two
screw holes into the cleat above each slat, deep enough
to set the screw heads below the surface. Fasten to
slats with 4-inch screws. Assemeble
the Legs
Cut
the legs to 39 inches with 38 degree parallel angles
top and bottom. Loosely clamp legs together at their
centers with C clamps. Adjust the tension in the clamp
until you can open the legs to make a cross with a 28-1/2-inch
span at each side, with tops and bottoms aligned. Mark
along the sides of each leg where they cross. Remove
the clamp and cut the half laps from each 2x4 leg. Reclamp
the legs in position. Attach leg assemblies to table
top cleat with two 3-1/2-inch x 1/4-inch machine bolts
at each connection.
Attach
the Braces and Legs
 Mark
and cut table braces to fit between the table leg assembly
and the table top with 45degree angles at both ends.
Attach braces to table top with 4-inch screws from below.
Drill bolt holes through the "X" of the legs and completely
through the angled ends of each 2x4 brace. Countersink
the bolt holes to accommodate washers and nuts. Install
the bolts and remove the clamps.
|
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Visits: 172
Added: Mon Oct 14 2002
Last Modified: Fri May 11 2007
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