Building a picnic table top
- Thread starter Fly Rod
- Start date
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There's probably a couple of ways to do it. If I were doing it, I'd search craigslist for an old sturdy 6' round table for the top. Then drill some holes in it for drainage, and seal it. If you want to be crazy, have a vinyl cover made for it, so when you show up, you can just rip the cover off and start eating on a clean table.
Option 2, I suppose you could make a frame and cut down some 2x12's and fashion them into a circle.
Option 2, I suppose you could make a frame and cut down some 2x12's and fashion them into a circle.
Just lay out a pattern on card board then cut 2x4 redwood or cedar pieces to cover it with a slight overhang. Nail a couple of cleats across the boards to tie them together. Trace the pattern on the top and cut to shape with a jig saw.
To draw a perfect 6' diameter circle just use a nail and a piece of string 3' long with a pencil tied to the end.
To draw a perfect 6' diameter circle just use a nail and a piece of string 3' long with a pencil tied to the end.
- Thread starter
- #6
rusty_tlc I was thinking along those lines. I was not sure how to secure the board tops together. There are even some custom lumber mills around that I could source some cedar from. I was thinking of 3 2' wide cedar planks but can't figure out how to "bind" them together. I would love to find a single plank to cover the whole table top but expect that would be major $$.
There few ways you could join the planks;
Biscuit Joiner You might rent one or see if the local HS or trade school will help you out.
Simple cleats laid crosswise on the back and attached with screws.
Dowels, dowel jigs are relatively cheap.
Bow tie keys if you want to invest some time.
Simple cleats laid crosswise on the back and attached with screws.
Dowels, dowel jigs are relatively cheap.
Bow tie keys if you want to invest some time.
You could also find a stump cut for the top! There are still a few loggers in the area who can do a 4-6" thick trim on a stump. Make a base and seal it. It would be good to go and look great!
Just an idea,
Doug
Just an idea,
Doug
- Thread starter
- #10
I was looking at a smaller round today and was thinking the same thing. We are headed back up there tomorrow so I will get measurements and find out if that is a possibility. It would certainly be cool!
SIG and MOD in that shot?
Like Rusty said in #5, use a cleat to tie the boards together. Two of the same boards laid perpendicular and screwed on will work. They'll be on the bottom where they won't be seen. You might add a 3rd or 4th depending on the size.
Like Rusty said in #5, use a cleat to tie the boards together. Two of the same boards laid perpendicular and screwed on will work. They'll be on the bottom where they won't be seen. You might add a 3rd or 4th depending on the size.
As soon as it's cut, clean it up real well and apply oil sealer mixture to minimize checking.
Make a mixture of boiled linseed oil, paint thinner/turpentine and a good wood sealer. Apply to to top, edges and bottom, with multiple coats on top. As it soaks in, apply another coat until it stops, let dry and apply a few more. This protects and make the top look really good!
My mom used to make furniture from driftwood and she used this mixture.
Make a mixture of boiled linseed oil, paint thinner/turpentine and a good wood sealer. Apply to to top, edges and bottom, with multiple coats on top. As it soaks in, apply another coat until it stops, let dry and apply a few more. This protects and make the top look really good!
My mom used to make furniture from driftwood and she used this mixture.
Take your boards and lay them out spaced like you want. Then take 2x4's and lay them across the other ones and screw them together flip it over and trace your pattern on top and cut it out. Brace the under side as needed after you cut it out and you'll have a nice top.
JM2C
...via IH8MUD app
JM2C
...via IH8MUD app
Depends if you want a solid top or one with spaces between the boards.
Since you are asking how to a solid top is probably going to be to advance woodworking for you. I would start with 8/4 lumber cedar or redwood. 8/4 is lumber talk for 2". Plane it down so all the boards are the same thickness. Next straight line them on a jointer and rip cut on tablesaw. Glue them with titebond 3 and clamp. Biscuit do not add strength they just help with placement. Sand smooth and cut the circle.
Second choice I would get 5/4 lumber which is 1 & 1/4". If the lumber is not planed you can go to a cabinet shop and ask to use planer or wide belt sander. Some shops will let you use their machines for a hourly rate. Space the boards out and make a second layer spaced out also at a 90 degree angle. Use titebond 3 and stainless steel screws. Stainless won't bleed through redwood.
To cut the circle use a jigsaw and cut about 1/4" big. Than a plunge router with a 1/2" shank straight cut bit. You can rent a plunge router. Take the plastic base of the router and make a jig out of 1/4 plywood or mdf a little longer than the radius of table. Screw the jig in the center of table and cut the circle.
Since you are asking how to a solid top is probably going to be to advance woodworking for you. I would start with 8/4 lumber cedar or redwood. 8/4 is lumber talk for 2". Plane it down so all the boards are the same thickness. Next straight line them on a jointer and rip cut on tablesaw. Glue them with titebond 3 and clamp. Biscuit do not add strength they just help with placement. Sand smooth and cut the circle.
Second choice I would get 5/4 lumber which is 1 & 1/4". If the lumber is not planed you can go to a cabinet shop and ask to use planer or wide belt sander. Some shops will let you use their machines for a hourly rate. Space the boards out and make a second layer spaced out also at a 90 degree angle. Use titebond 3 and stainless steel screws. Stainless won't bleed through redwood.
To cut the circle use a jigsaw and cut about 1/4" big. Than a plunge router with a 1/2" shank straight cut bit. You can rent a plunge router. Take the plastic base of the router and make a jig out of 1/4 plywood or mdf a little longer than the radius of table. Screw the jig in the center of table and cut the circle.