How to Build a Picnic Table with Attached Benches
Seat everyone at your family barbecue or cookout event at this classic American style picnic table
with attached benches.
You won't need any fancy tools to build this traditional picnic table. All it
requires are basic tools like a saw, a drill, and an adjustable wrench.
This plan is based on a time honored classic design. The top is made of five 6 foot
2x6s. Each integrated seat is also made of two 6 foot
2x6s. The frame and seat supports are simple to make and the whole project is easy
to assemble.
While you can use any type of lumber that you want, your picnic table
will last longer if you use a decay resistant wood like red cedar, redwood, or
treated pine.
Picnic Table Side View
Picnic Table End View
How The Picnic Table Wheels Work
If you like the idea of wheels for your picnic table, the images
below show how they work. Of course the wheels are not necessary but if you want
to add them, instructions are provided below.
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In the normal position, the weight is supported by the legs.
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When raised like this, the wheels support the weight and picnic table may be rolled.
Our Traditional Picnic Table Plans are divided into four sections.
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First are the Assembly Instructions. Looking through the assembly process first
will give you a good picture of what is involved in building this picnic table.
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Detailed parts drawings are shown next. You can see all the details you need
to make the parts for this Picnic Table with benches attached.
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Finally, you can see a list of the parts and hardware needed.
Attach The Stiffeners For The Top And Seat Supports
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Apply some weather proof glue to the mating surfaces and attach a Seat Stiffener to
each end of each Seat Support with 3" long # 8 Deck screws as shown.
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Next, attach a Top Stiffener to each End Top Support.
Assemble The Top
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Arrange the 5 top boards as shown with a 3/8" gap between each board. Attach the
two Top Supports (stiffeners should already be attached) to the top boards with
2 1/2" deck screws as shown.
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(Be sure the top boards line up properly and the ends
are flush and square. Also be sure the center support is centered from end to end.)
Attach The Seat Boards To The Seat Supports
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Mount seat boards to the seat supports with 2 1/2" deck screws as shown above.
Adding Wheels To Your Picnic Table (Optional)
Determine The Axle Hole Location
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Wheels that are labeled 6" may not be exactly 6" in diameter. So, you'll need to
place your wheel on the bottom of the leg as shown above. The center of the axle hole
should be 1 1/8" from the edge and the edge should be flush with the bottom of
the leg as shown.
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Make a mark through the axle hole and drill a 1/2" hole,
(or the diameter of the axle hole for your wheels), for the axle bolt in the
marked position.
Cut Off The Corner Of The Legs
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Cut off the end so the edge closest to the axle hole is 32 1/2" long as shown above.
Mounting The Wheels
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Mount the wheels with 3 1/2" by 1/2" diameter (or the diameter of the
axle hole for your wheels) hex head bolts. You should place a flat
washer between the wheel and the leg and between the nut and the leg.
I recommend using galvanized bolts, nuts, and washers.
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You'll need to use self-locking nuts because the wheels won't turn if
you tighten them against the leg. Tighten them just enough so the wheels
are not too sloppy.
Attach The Legs To The Seat Supports
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Mount the legs to the Seat Supports with 3 1/2" long 3/8" diameter galvanized
carriage bolts as indicated by the red arrows in the drawing above.
Use flat washers and lock washers for the side the nuts go on. Leave these bolts
snug for now. You can tighten them after mounting the top assembly.
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Attach the leg protectors with 1 5/8" #8 deck screws as indicated by the blue arrows.
Mount The Legs To The Top Supports
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Mount the legs to the Top Supports with 3 1/2" long 3/8" diameter galvanized carriage bolts
as shown. Now you can tighten all the bolts for the seat assembly and the top supports.
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The images above are only a sample of the detailed drawings and instructions in the complete
plans pdf file. Please read the copyright notice below before downloadingthe free plans.
Attach The Braces To The Top And Seat Supports
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Mount the braces to the seat supports and top as shown above.
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The end of the braces with 40° tip goes against the center top stiffener.
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The Drawing at the beginning of these plans titled "Picnic Table Dimensions - Side View"
gives a good illustration of how the braces are placed.
This Completes The Assembly Instructions.
Picnic Table Parts Drawings
Page Top
Overall Dimensions
Assembly
Items Needed
Picnic Table Seat Boards, Seat Supports, And Legs Dimensions
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Note: To get the 65° angles, you may need to set your miter saw to 25°. This is because
the scales on most miter saws are set so that a 90° cut is labeled as 0° on the scale.
Picnic Table Top Supports And Stiffeners Dimensions
Picnic Table Miscellaneous Parts Dimensions
Picnic Table Parts Hole Layout Drawings
Seat Supports (3/8" Holes)
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Drill four 3/8" holes in the Seat Supports for the Legs as shown above.
Seat Supports (3/16" Holes)
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Drill six 3/16" diameter holes in the Seat Supports and countersink them
for #8 deck screws as shown above. These holes are for mounting the Seat
Stiffeners to the End Top Supports.
Legs And Seat Stiffener Holes
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Drill four 3/8" holes in each Leg as shown above
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Drill & countersink four holes in the Seat Stiffeners for #8 screws.
End Top Support Holes
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Drill four 3/8" holes in the End Top Supports. These holes will be used for
mounting the legs.
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Drill & countersink four holes in the End Top Supports for #8 deck screws for
mounting the stiffeners to the End Top Supports.
Top Stiffener And Leg Protector Holes
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Drill & countersink ten holes in the Top Stiffeners for # 8 screws as shown above.
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Drill & countersink two 3/16" holes in the Leg Protectors - 1 1/2" from from
each end an centered top to bottom. Round off the outer edges on all four
sides so they don't scratch anyones legs.
Braces Holes
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Drill & countersink two holes on the ends of the braces for # 8 screws as
shown above.
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These holes must be at an angle but the exact angle is not critical.
Traditional Picnic Table Plans - Cutout Drawings
Parts You Will Need To Make
Page Top
Overall Dimensions
Assembly
Parts Drawings
Parts You Will Need To Make
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FreePicnicTablePlans.htm (09-17-2023)