Bob's Free Woodworking Plans

How to Build an Octagon Picnic Table

Completed Octagon Picnic Table Made of Solid Cedar

Of course it's a matter of personal opinion, but we could say the octagon design is simply more beautiful and sophisticated than the traditional long straight picnic tables with benches along the sides.

The Octagon Picnic Table is superior to the traditional picnic table design in a number of ways. It seats eight adults in comfort as opposed to six for the traditional classic six foot picnic table with attached benches. The open seat design makes it easy for your guests to sit down and get up without inconvience to the guest sitting next to them. The octagon shaped top puts the food within easy reach of everyone. Also, everyone is in a more convenient arrangement for conversation.

Assemble the Top Octagon Segments

Assemble two octagon segments together as shown above. Clamp both pieces so they fit together properly and secure the joint with 2” pocket hole screws. You will need to assemble four pairs of segments like these.

Next, arrange the assembled pairs of segments together as shown above. Again, clamp both pieces together and secure the joint with 2” pocket hole screws.

Finally, arrange and clamp the segments together as shown above and sewcure with pocket hole screws.

Attach The Top Narrow Gussets

Position the Narrow Gussets on the bottom side of the Top Octagon Segments as shown above. Ensure the Octagon Segments are equally spaced from each other and the Gussets are centered over the octagon joints and also centered side to side. Secure the Gussets to the octagons with 2 1/2" rust resistant screws

Attach The Top Wide Gussets

Position the Wide Gussets as shown above. The Wide Gussets should be positioned against the Narrow Gussets where the Narrow Gussets come together in the center of the Top as indicated by the red arrows. Attach the Wide Gussets to the octagons with 2 1/2" rust resistant screws.

Attach The Legs To The Top Gussets

Attach the legs to the Narrow Gussets with 4" bolts, two flat washers, one lock washer, and nut as shown in the drawings. Do not completely tighten the nuts until the Picnin Table is completely assembled.

Attach The Connector Rail Gussets To The Center Of The Long Connector Rails

Attach a Connector Rail Gusset to each Long Connector Rail with two 2 1/2" wood screws as shown in the drawings above. The Connector Rail Gussets must be centered from end to end of the Connector rails.

Assembling the Legs and Connector Rails

• Attach the Long Connector Rails to the Legs with 4" by 5/16" hex head bolts with flat washers and lock washers as indicated by the blue arrows in the drawing above.
• Using the same size bolts, attach the Short Connector Rails to the Legs as indicated by the green arrows above.
• Then attach the other ends of the Short Connector Rails to the Connector Rail Gussets as indicated by the purple arrow above.
• Attach the Rail-Seat Gussets to the Connector Rails with 2" screws through the 1 1/2" thicknessof the Rail-Seat Gussets as indicated by the red arrows. The bottom of the Rail-Seat Gussets must be flush with the edge of the Connector rail.

Attach The Top Trim Pieces

Position the eight Top Trim pieces so they are evenly spaced and centered on the top. Attach with three 2 1/2" screws as indicated by the red arrows in the drawing above.

Assembling The Seats

Clamp the seat boards so they fit together properly and secure them together with 2" pocket hole screws as indicated by the red arrows in the drawing above.

Attach The Seat Gussets

Position the seat boards so there is a 3/8" gap between them. Attach the end and center seat gussets with 2 1/2" screws as shown above.

Clamp the Seat Base boards and Base Extensions so they fit together properly and secure them together with 2" pocket hole screws as shown in the drawing above.

Assemble The Seat Base, Seat Posts, And Seats

Position the Seat Posts on the bottom side of a set of seat boards as shown above. The edge of the Seat Post should be 2" from the end of the Gusset as shown in the Detail View. Attach the Seat Posts to the assembled seat boards with pocket hole screws as indicated by the red arrows above. Choose screws of a length that will not protude past the Seat surface on the opposite side.

Next, place an assembled Seat Base on top of the Seat Posts as shown above. Determine the location for the screw holes and drill two 3/16" holes through the Base Extensions as indicated by the blue arrows. The screw holes should be centered over the ends of the posts. Attach the assembled Seat Bases to the bottom ends of the Seat Posts with 3" screws.

Attach Corner Gussets

• Attach the Corner Gussets to the assembled Seat Boards and and Seat Posts with 2" screws as indicated by the red arrows in the drawing above.
• The edge of the Gusset should be close to the gap between the Seat Boards but not over it as indicated by the blue arrows in the Detail View. This will ensure rain water does not collect on top of the Leg Post.

Attach The Seats To The Legs And Connector Rails

• First, you need to turn the Octagon Picnic Table Top with Legs attached upside down as shown in the drawing above because the Assembled Seats will be attached on the bottom side.
• Position an Assembled Seat so the Seat Base is centered over a Leg as indicated by the red arrows and the Middle Seat Gusset sits inside the opening between the Connector Rails as indicated by the blue arrow in the drawing above.
• Secure the Assembled Seat to the Rail-Seat Gussets with 2 1/2" screws as indicated by the blue arrows in the drawing above.
• Secure the Seat Base to the Bottom of the Leg with 2 1/2" screws as indicated by the red arrows in the drawing above.
• Repeat this procedure for the three remaining Seats.