How to Build a Folding Picnic Table

Instead of buying an average store-bought table for outings, why not try building a solid folding picnic table for yourself and family to enjoy? Sitting out in the countryside, enjoying home cooked picnic food at a table that you made is a highly satisfying feeling. Picnic tables are not overly complicated pieces of furniture and they basically work on the same premise as a folding pasting table. Have a look at the simple instruction below and give it a shot!

Step 1 – Preparing

Lay out the pieces in a dry run first and make sure they are all present and correct. Start by placing the two boards together and match up the edges and sides until they are totally flush. Use the c-clamp to clamp them together. It is much easier to get a uniform shape on both pieces of wood if you work on them at the same time.

Step 2 – Sanding

Sand down the tops, side and bottoms of the two board pieces until they are completely smooth. Round off the edges with a belt sanding machine.

Step 3 –Hinges

While the boards are still clamped together, mark two places on the top edges where they currently join. Place the semi circular hinges on the markings and drill small pilot holes. Fit the hinges and screw them into place tightly. You can now unclamp the two boards and test their opening ability.

Step 4 – Trimming

Open the table top up and turn it over so that the folding side is facing down. Place the 3 feet x 1 inch x 1 inch pieces along the long edges of the table top and the 1.8 feet x 1 x 1 along the edging. Glue and screw them into place and be mindful not to let the screw tips come through the surface on the other side.

Step 5 – Legs

Screw the small hinges on to the tops of the legs (straight 2.5 feet x 2 inches x 2 inches) and secure one leg in each corner of the table, inside the trimming. Make sure the hinges face so that when the legs fold down they are flush against the edge of the trimming and not standing up away from it.

Step 6 – Braces

Place one of the 2.5 feet x 2 inch x 2 inch pieces between the two end legs as a cross brace to strengthen the legs. Glue and screw them into position about 1/3 of the way up the leg. Fold the legs inward to the trimming again to make sure they are still flush. Repeat the same process on the other two legs on the other end.

Step 7 – Painting or Staining

You can stand your table up now and paint or stain it to a color of your choice. Leave the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. If you stain your table top you can also apply wax as a polishing finish if you so wish.