Summer is great time of year and one of those times when people are gathering outdoors more.  Building a picnic table is not as hard as you would think.   Follow these simple steps and you will have a picnic table just in time for those spring and summer cookouts.  These steps are for a picnic table that is 72 inches long, 32 inches wide and 32 inches tall.

Selecting Lumber:  A picnic table can be made from scraps of wood, such as recycled from a deck or can be made from premium lumber.  Of course, if you select the premium lumber, your picnic table will look much more professional.  Use a weather and rot resistant lumber for a long lasting table.  

Materials and Tools:

• 14- 2x6 (72 inches long)
• 5- 2x4 (30 inches long)
• 3 lbs of 12d (3 ½ inch) hot dipped galvanized nails (Substitute 3 ½ inch exterior (deck) screws for more strength
• Speed square
• Sawhorses
• Circular Saw
• Hammer
• Goggles

Cut boards using a speed square:

Note:  Cut the diagonal bracing underneath the table top, but scribe this board to fit after the rest of the top is fastened together.

• Cut 12- 2x6 boards at 72 inches long
• Cut 3- 2x4 boards at 30 inches from long point to long point with a 45 degree angle on each end
• Cut 4- 2x6 boards at 35 inches from long point to short point with a 25 degree angle on each end

Steps On How To Build A Picnic Table:

1. Arrange lumber on sawhorses with the best side down.

2. Nail 2 x4 boards with the 45 degree angle cuts to the bottom of the table top at a space of 4 inches from both ends and the third centered between the ends.  Toenail these to hold them in place until the table is flipped over where you can finish nailing the top.

3. Nail legs into position by positioning the 35 inch 2x6s so they are centered over the short point of the table top end rails.  Nail them to the rails.

4. Measure up or down from the top.  Height can vary.  Depends on how tall you need it.  Measure up, or down from the top when the table is flipped, 17 inches.  At this mark, drive a nail half way to the head.   This will support seat rails.

5. Center the seat rails (2x6 – 2 inches long) between the inverted table legs.  Rest on the nails you drove in at 17 inches.  Nail through into the legs.

6. Mark the centers of both the table top middle rail and the seat rails.  Scribe a 2x4 so that it fits diagonally between the marks.  Cut and nail them securely in place.

7. Invert table so it is standing on its legs.  Lay seat boards (2x6s – 72 inches long) on the seat rails that are sticking out from beneath the table on each side.  Shift them around until they are comfortable for you.  Once they are in a comfortable position, mark that location of the outer seat board.  Remove boards and saw a 45 degree angle on the rail to eliminate the chance of protruding rails from beneath the seats.

8. Reposition the seat boards and nail them.  Finish by nailing through the table top boards.

9. Cut corners of the table top to a 45 degree angle about two inches from the corners.  

10. Sand and finish your picnic table.  Use a silicone waterproofing sealer, an exterior polyurethane or a semitransparent exterior wood stain.

11. Set up table.

Now you show off your new picnic table and enjoy your cookout with family and friends.

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