A Round
Picnic Table

This is a fifty nine inch diameter round picnic table with matching curved benches. It is easy to build and can be completed in a day (excluding drying time of paint). The benches are designed for individuals but six fit easily around the table. I suggest you glue all parts with an exterior grade glue for best results. The table top is made from 1-1/2" stock of varying widths (see dotted lines on diagram at left.) placed across two parallel 1-1/2" x 1-3/4" main supports. The supports are set with their outer edges at exactly 25". A third support of 1" x 2" material runs across the middle. To assemble the top, lay enough 60" long boards side-by-side on the floor to add up to a 59" width. Place the center support across the center of the pieces and attach it to the first piece with a 2" screw. Go to the opposite side, press all the boards firmly together and secure the other end of the support to the last piece with a 2" screw. Attach the center support to each board with 2" screws. Carefully position the two main supports for a 25" distance from outer edge to outer edge and secure them into place with 2-1/2 screws. Counter sink all these screws to avoid scrapes and cuts later. Locate the center by drawing pencil lines corner to corner. Using a 60" long piece of any small scap material draw a 59" circle by nailing the end of the board to the center, mark the edge 29-1/2" out and pivot the board on the nail while holding a pencil at the 29-1/2" mark. Cut the table to round. The legs are made from 2" x 4" stock and are set at 45 degree angles for simplicity. Cut the legs 40" long then miter the ends with 45 degree cuts as indicated in the drawings. Attach the legs to the cross support (1-1/2" x 3" x 25") with 6" long 3/8" lag bolts. The lag bolt goes through the legs at the center point (20"). Attach the legs to the main frame under the top with 3/8" carriage bolts so they are 23" apart at centers and centered on the table. You will need a small 2" x 4" x 2" block for one leg on each side of the table as shown in show in the drawings to the left and above left. Add the 45 degree side supports show in the drawing to left. Drill a 1-1/2" hole through the top and the leg support if you wish to add an umbrella. The stools use a similar construction. Use three boards (see first diagram at right) for the top being careful to choose widths that will not result in cutting any too thin on the ends (leave at least 2" thickness). The main supports are 1-1/2' x 1-3/4" x 10" and the legs are of 2" x 3" x 18" material. The block is 2" x 3" x 2". Miter the end of the legs at 30-60 degree angles leaving the most surface against the ground and the top of the bench. The curves for the bench are 10' for the outer curve and 8' for the inner curve. You can freehand these if desired. The curve swings in 3-1/2" at the bench center.

*********** WARNING***********
Read my page on safety before building this item.