It is that time of year again-time to plan barbeques for family and friends in the backyard. It is also the perfect time to build your own patio table. Patio tables are perfect for any outdoor occasion. With only a few tools and a couple of hours of your time, you can build a patio table to add to your backyard décor. This article will give you the information you need to build a table that is 70” wide x 46” deep x 32” high.

Materials and Tools for outdoor patio tables:

• Circular Saw or Table Saw
• Combination Square
• Hammer
• Drill Driver
• Palm Sander
• Tape Measurer
• Goggles
• Dust Mask
• 8 boards at 1”x4”x12’
• 11 boards at 1”x4”x8’
• 1 ¼” Hot-dipped galvanized screws
• Wood Glue
• Finished Nail
• Sandpaper

Woodworking Terms:

• Rip: Cut with the grain of a board.
• Aprons: Horizontal parts that connect the legs, located just below the top.
• Counterbore: This is the process of boring a hole for a screw or bolt so the head is below the wood’s surface.
• Face Glue: Glue pieces together so their faces are joined.

List on Cutting Boards

Before you begin constructing the patio table, you will need to cut the individual pieces. This list will give you the information you need to make these individual patio table pieces.

Instructions on How to Build a Patio Table are Divided into Five Sections:

1. Constructing the side subassemblies
2. Constructing the base
3. Adding the stretchers
4. Adding the top slats
5. Finishing the table

Section One: Constructing the Side Subassemblies

1. The edge of a 2 ¾” outside leg piece should be glued to the face of a full outside leg piece. To hold the leg assembly in place while the glue dries, drive finish nails through the full leg piece into the 2 ¾” piece.
2. Glue two legs to one of the short aprons. Turn the legs so that the outside face of the narrow outside leg abuts the inside face of the short apron. The outside legs will be flush with the ends of the apron. The tops or ends of the leg subassembly should be flush with the top edge of the apron.
3. Counterbore holes in the top of the legs. Then screw through their faces with 1 ¼” screws to secure the legs in place.
4. Make a second side assembly using the same steps above.

Section Two: Constructing the Base

1. Counterbore holes through the tops of the legs. Glue and screw to two long aprons. Be sure the ends of the long aprons are flush with the outside faces of the short aprons.
2. Check to make sure the base is square. Adjust where needed.
3. Measure the attached long aprons from left to right. Mark each one at 10”, 20”, 30”, 40”, 50”, and 60”. Counterbore two holes where you have marked in the aprons. At an intermediate top support centered on each mark, screw the aprons with 1 ¼” screws.
4. To hide the screws, face glue second set of long aprons to the outside of the first set. For a more secure hold, drive screws through the inside long aprons onto the outside long aprons.
5. Face glue the 2 ¾” wide inside leg pieces to the inside faces of the 2 ¾” outside leg pieces. Drive finish nails through the inside legs to hold while glue dries.

Section Three: Adding the Stretchers

1. Point the bottom ends of the legs towards the sky and measure 12” down from the bottom of each leg. Mark this measurement.
2. Place end stretchers in the same direction as the short aprons. Tops of the end stretchers should be aligned with the 12”marks on the legs. With screw and screws, secure the end stretchers to the inside legs.
3. Find the center of each end stretcher and measure out 10” to the left and right. Counterbore each mark with two holes.
4. Place the center stretchers centered on the marks. Screw the end stretchers to the center stretchers.

Section Four: Adding the Top Slats

1. Position the two outside top slats on top of the base. A 1” overhand should be left. The slats need to overhand the front and rear of the base by 1”.
2. Glue slats in place. Finish nails should be used to keep in place while glue dried.
3. Glue and nail the rest of the top slats and space evenly between the two outside slats.

Section Five: Finishing the Table

1. Sand the table. Check all curves and the top for smoothness.
2. Paint or stain the bench with an exterior grade finish. You could use a clear-coat. Be sure it is top quality exterior varnish. Varnish is an excellent protective film that is outside or exposed to the elements.

Plan a party and show off your new patio table.

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Comments (6)

• |2010-04-01 11:02:12 Kevin Finley  - nice table.
  I really like the looks of the table and would like to make it. However, I am unable to figure it out with the instructions. Would it be possible to get a picture emailed to me that shows the table without the chairs and maybe a picture of the underside?
  
  Thanks.
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• |2010-01-21 17:50:49 Tom Simon  - great!
  Thanks for the article, needed one to cut costs on my spending for our patio furniture! thank you!
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• |2010-01-21 18:33:06 admin  - You are welcome!
  Glad it was of use to you!
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• |2010-05-18 06:34:01 aspenmathew  - Outdoor Furniture
  Well i would like to ask that a question whether making your own patio furniture would be cheaper or getting it from a store that can offer you discount in that would be much easier. I have seen an outdoor living patio furniture at a store by which i think it would be much cheaper than making it. I would like to have some reviews in this please. As it would be a guide for me. Thanks in Advance......
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• |2010-05-18 12:41:37 Anonymous  - Ready to Build
  i agree it would be great to have a good picture of the table to see how it should look assembled, especially the under carriage.
  
  dou you have other pictures of this assembly? and can we get them?
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• |2010-07-30 13:46:49 tom
  I too love this design but need a picture of the under supports.
  Thanks so much,
  Tom
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