Lumber Party

Lumber Party (Picnic Table)

A picnic table is a true icon of summer. This season why not give the standard design a new twist? Gather some lumber and create fabulous outdoor dining furniture that will keep the party going all season long. That's rough luxe!

We used Wood Shield Best Acrylic Solid Stain because there are 3,500 Beauti-Tone stain colours to choose from, and it tolerates up to 25% moisture content - which means you can stain over new wood sooner. Most stains only allow up to 12% moisture content.

Materials

All wood is pressure treated spruce

• 4" x 4" x 10' (1) -  table legs

• 4" x 4" x 12' (1) -  bench legs

• 2" x 4" x 10' (2) -  bench rails

• 2" x 4" x 12' (1) - table rails

• 2" x 4" x 8' (4) - centre table rail, table ends, table leg base bridge, bench ends, bench leg base bridge

• 1" x 6" x 6' (7) -  table top

• 1" x 6" x 6' (5) - bench top

• #8 3" deck screws (150) 2182-684

• #8 1-1/2" deck screws (140) 2182-083

• sand paper 1233-196

• wood filler 1627-422

• Wood Shield Best Acrylic Solid Stain (tinted to Strong Espresso) 1866-400

Optional Backrest

• 2" x 4" x 8' (1) - back cap

• 1" x 6" x 4' (5) - bench back

• #8 1-1/2" deck screws (72) 2182-083

Seat Cushion

• 1/2" plywood sheet - cut into 16" x 60" (2)

• 2" foam pads - 16" x 60" (2)

• quilt batting measuring 24" x 68" (2)

• fabric measuring 24" x 68" (2)

Tools

• saw and mitre box 1038-273

• tape measure 1048-569

• screw driver 1058-169

• square 1070-062

• brush and roller kit 1656-188

• drill 1240-651

• drill set 1245-423

• hammer 1030-665

• router 1258-437

• router bits 1215-562

• screw setters 1227-540

• chisels 1020-095

• stapler 1072-172

• power saw 1265-429

• sander 1262-174

Here's How

1. Cut wood to the lengths listed ensuring each cut is square. Use any warped material for shorter pieces.

2. Make a notch 3 1/2" down and 1 1/2" deep on two adjacent sides of each leg top to accommodate the side and end rails. With a handsaw: cut 1 1/2" down from the top and then across at 3 1/2" down. With a power saw: set blade depth to 1 1/2" and make a series of cuts 1/2" apart to 3 1/2" down. Clean out the joint with a chisel. 

3. For best results and a long lasting finish, we stained all six sides of each board in trend colour Strong Espresso before assembling the picnic table.

Bench Assembly

1. The side rails are fastened in the notch at the top of the leg and flush to the ends. Square the legs to the rails and secure with three 3" screws.

2. The end pieces are attached in the notch between the side rails on the outside of the legs with three 3" screws into the leg, and two 3" screws through the side rail into the end of the rail ends.

3. The leg base bridges are fastened with four 3" screws into the bottom of the legs.

4. To attach the top, lay out 11 boards with no gaps and measure the total width in inches. Subtract this number from the 60" length and divide by 10 to determine the uniform spacing between each board (a drill bit of the correct size makes a good spacer). Mark the centre of the bench on both sides and the centre of the middle board. Attach the middle board with two 1 1/2" deck screws on each end. Using the correct spacer, attach remaining boards; adjust any error on the final space so the last board is flush to the end.

Optional Backrest

Attach the backboards flush to the bottom of the side rail with four 1 1/2" screws each. To secure the top rail, router a 3/4" deep slot the width of the boards. Tap the rail into place and fasten with two screws.

Optional Seat Cushion

Lay the quilt batting on a flat surface; place the foam pad in the centre and the plywood on top. Staple the batting to the plywood at 3" intervals along one side. Starting in the centre of the opposite side, pull the batting snug and staple in both directions. Pull ends snug and staple. Cut away any excess quilting. Lay the upholstery fabric face down and place the seat cushion in the centre, plywood side up. Staple one end at 1" intervals then stretch tight from the other end and staple from the centre out. Work from the corners and staple at 9" intervals, alternating sides toward the centre, keeping the fabric tight and straight. When satisfied with the look, fill in spaces with additional staples.

Table Assembly

1. Assemble the table frame in the same manner as the bench frame. The middle 68" rail is attached either in the centre or 2" off centre to allow for an umbrella hole.

2. Attach the table top in the same manner as the benches. There are 13 boards so divide the total length by 12 to determine the spacing. Cut optional umbrella hole in the centre, slightly larger than the actual umbrella pole.

3. Fill screw holes with exterior grade wood filler. Sand and finish as desired.