Having a picnic in pleasant weather is one of the most rewarding activities that one can take part in. The picnic table is one of the most important tools that one needs for a picnic and it can be made using a few steps.
- The first step in making a picnic table is obtaining a long lasting lumber that will be appropriate for picnic table making project. If one chooses the premium lumber or synthetic material that is made using recycled plastics they will get a quality project. The builder should also have three lbs. 12d (3 ½ inch) hot dipped nails that are galvanized.
- The next step is to cut the required boards and here one can use speed or rafter square for scribing the needed angles. The 12 2×6 boards should be cut seventy two inches long while the 4 2×6 boards should be cut to thirty five inches and they should have a twenty five degrees angle. The 3 2×4 boards should be cut to thirty inches and they should have a forty five degrees angle. One will also need to cut a slanting bracing beneath the top of the table but it is advisable for one to scribe the board so that it fits after the other part of the top has been fastened together.
- The next step is to lay the top boards on the sawhorses with their best side down.
- One should then nail the 2×4 boards that have the forty five degrees angle to the table top’s bottom. This should be done with four inches spaces from both ends and the 3rd should be in-between the ends. One should also remember to nail these so that the table is held in position until when the table can be flipped over.
- One should then put the thirty five inch 2 x 6 to make them centered on top of the table top end’s short point and they should be nailed to the rails securely.
- One should then measure up 17 inches and drive put a nail inside the leg at this point halfway to its head. This will help to support the seat nails.
- One should then put the seat rails at the centre between the inverted legs of the table and they should be resting on the previously drive nails of 17 inches. These should be nailed through the legs.
- One should then mark the table top’s center as well as the seat rails’ and then scribe a 2×4 so that it fits between the marks diagonally.
- They should then invert their table to make it stand on the legs.
- Repositioning of the seats for nailing is the next step and nails should be driven into table tops heads in the rails for securing.
- One should then cut the top of the table’s corners at forty five degrees.
- Finally one should sand their table.
After the picnic table is complete, one can use it anytime they have a picnic function. One can also make curvings on the table to make it look more attractive.