8 foot Picnic Table – Free DIY Plans

If you want to learn more about how to build a 8 foot picnic table you have to take a close look over the free plans in the article. This is a very simple picnic table project, so that anyone can build it in one weekend. This wooden picnic table is sturdy and it features the classic design that all of us know and love. You can make a few modifications to the plans so they suit your needs. More furniture projects HERE.

If you want to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to plan everything with attention, as to prevent costly mistakes and to build a professional garden bench. Invest in high quality materials, such as cedar, pine or redwood, as the bench will be exposed to all kinds of weather. Apply a few coats of paint over the components, to enhance their appearance and to protect them from bad weather.

8 foot Picnic Table – Free DIY Plans

Building a 8′ picnic table

Materials

• 1 – 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 36″ long LEGS
• 2 – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 60″ long, 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 28 1/2″ long BRACES
• 3 – 9 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 96″ long SLATS
• 4 – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 85″ long SUPPORT
• 5 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 44 1/2″ long BRACES

• 11 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8′
• 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 6′
• 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 12′
• 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
• 100 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• 16 pieces of 3 1/2″ carriage bolts
• wood glue, stain/paint

Tools

• Hammer, Tape measure, Carpentry square
• Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Router
• Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses, Respiratory Mask

Time

• One day

STEP 1:

Building the legs

Build the legs for the picnic table from 2×6 lumber. Make the 30 degree cuts to both ends of the legs with a miter saw.

STEP 2:

Fitting the braces

Lay the legs on a level surface and then attach the supports, as shown in the diagram. Align everything with attention and drill pilot holes through both the legs and the supports. Insert 3 1/2″ carriage bolts to assemble the supports. Use 2 bolts for each joint.

STEP 3:

Tabletop slats

Fit the 2×6 boards to the top of the side legs. Plumb the side frames with a spirit level and then attach the tabletop slats with 2 1/2″ screws. Place pieces of 1/4″ plywood between the slats to create even gaps.

STEP 4:

Seat supports

Fit the 2×6 stretchers between the sides of the picnic table. Drill pilot holes through the braces and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the stretchers.

STEP 5:

Fitting the seat slats

Attach the 2×6 boards to the seats of the picnic table. Center the boards to the frame, so you get 4″ overhangs on both sides.

STEP 6:

Diagonal braces

Use 2×4 lumber for the diagonal braces. Use a miter saw to make the angle cuts to both ends.

STEP 7:

Fitting the diagonal braces

Center the diagonal braces to the frame of the picnic table. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them to the supports. These braces will add rigidity to the picnic table and thus make it more durable and safe to use. Check out free plans to build a hexagon picnic table.

STEP 8:

8 foot Picnic Table

I recommend you to check if the components are locked into place properly and structure is rigid enough for your garden. Make sure there are no protruding screws or sharp edges. Fill the holes with wood putty and then smooth the surface with sandpaper. Apply a few coats of paint or stain to protect the components from decay.

PRO TIP: Apply several coats of paint or stain over the components, in order to protect them from decay. Check out the rest of the project to learn more about building garden projects.

This diy project was about wooden bbq table plans. If you have enjoyed the free project, we recommend you to share it with your friends, by using the social media widgets.