Of the many types of picnic tables available for your purchase or construction, the octagon picnic table is one of the most popular. Here is how you can build your own octagon picnic table for your backyard.

How to Build an Octagon Picnic Table

Picture the table pieces from a set of octagon picnic table plans as a pie. The 8 pieces of the pie are all identical and they are made up of several other pieces to make the whole.

You will use all pressure treated lumber for this project.

Material List

4 each 2" x 6" x 10′

8 each 2" x 6" x 8′

4 each 2" x 4" x 8′

1 each 2" x 4" x 10′

1 each 2" x 4" x 12′

1 lb. #16 galvanized nails for nailing the center frames together

5 lb. 2-1/2" galvanized screws

Hammer, miter saw, miter box, drill, measuring tape, sandpaper, carpenter pencil

Assembly

To cut the 2 x 6’s for the tabletop and the seating, you will need to set your miter saw on 22.5 degrees. Lay the boards on their sides to make these cuts. You will cut 8 sets of boards. When you are finished, you will have 56 pieces, and each set will have 5 boards for the tabletop and 2 for the seat.

Each board will have the angle cut on each end so that when you look down on it, the angle will come in from both sides, making each board shorter as you work toward the middle of the table.

The seat boards are 36-3/4" and 32" on the long side. If you cut them correctly, you can lay them side by side and they will fit together. Continue cutting your 2 x 6’s, making cuts to produce the least amount of waste. Double check the octagon picnic table plans before you make any cuts.

Tabletop

The boards for the tabletop are 23-3/4", 19", 14-1/4", 9-1/2", and 4-3/4". When you cut the last short piece, it will end in a point on the short side.

The 2 x 4’s for the tabletop will be cut on a bevel, so that the lower side of the board will angle back to the center of the table when the pieces are put together. Set your miter saw to 30 degrees for the ends facing to the outside of the table. All lengths given on the octagon picnic table plans are to the long point on the top of the 2 x 4.

Cut one board 61", and it will have the 30-degree bevel on each end. Lay the 2 x 4 flat to cut it. Cut 2 each 2 x 4’s 29-3/4" with a bevel on one end and a square cut on the other. You will attach the 2 short pieces to the sides of the longer piece to form a perfect "X" with the bevels turned the same way on all 4 ends.

Frame

The last 4 pieces of your tabletop frame are the hardest to cut. Cut the beveled end first, then stand the 2 x 4 on the edge and measure in from the long point 29-3/8" and mark the center of the 1-1/2" part of the 2 x 4.

Set your miter box to 45 degrees, and cut the 2 x 4 standing back from the center. Turn the miter box to the opposite side for a 45-degree cut, and cut from the center again. If you do this successfully, you will have a square end with bevels on both sides. Check your octagon picnic table plans before you make these cuts.

Putting It Together

Attach these to the crossed 2 x 4’s so that you have 8 equal lengths coming from the center. The 8 sets of 5 tabletop boards should fasten to the top of the 2 x 4’s to make an 8-sided table. Start from the center and work to the outside, being careful to start each board in the center of the edge of the board.

The 2 x 4’s for the seat are cut the same way as the framing for the top, with the 30-degree bevel going to the outside. The long board is 95", the 2 that make each side are 46-3/4", and the 4 with bevels are 46-3/8". Put the frame together the same as the tabletop and attach the seat boards starting at the outside of the 8-sided frame, using the longest board first.

The 8 legs are 32-1/4" overall with a 30-degree cut on each end. This time, the angled cuts will be facing in the same direction rather than coming in to the middle.

The next step requires you to lay the tabletop upside down on a flat surface, and then do the same with the seat frame on top of the tabletop. Line the 2 frames up with each other, and then fasten the legs to the tabletop first.

The bevel on the end of the legs must be turned so the legs go away from the center of the frame. Measure in 7" from the long point of the frame boards. This will be the short point of the beveled end of the leg.

Use 4 each 2-1/2" galvanized screws in each connection. Make sure the bevel fits snug against the tabletop boards when you attach it and put each leg on the same side of the frame all the way around.

When you are finished attaching the 8 legs to the top, you will need an assistant to help you raise the seat up to screw it to the legs. Before you start, measure 17" toward the center from the long point of each frame on the seat assembly. Mark this so you can see it on the edge that is facing down.

Now, measure from the long point on each end of the tabletop frames up to the outside edge of the table legs 12-1/2" and make a mark on the same side as you made the mark on the seat frame. These intersecting marks are the places to attach the seat frame to the legs. Hold the side up that you are going to screw the first leg to while your assistant holds the opposite side.

Only place 1 screw in each leg until you have done them all, then go back and add 3 more per leg. Turn the table over onto the legs, and you are finished. Now you know how to build an octagon picnic table. If you did it right, you will have 17" from the ground to the top of the bench and 29-1/2" from the ground to the top of the table.

If you followed the octagon picnic table plans correctly, you should have a table that will last you for years.

More Octagon Picnic Table Plans

When people think of picnic tables, they typically picture your typical wooden picnic tables with red and white checkered tablecloths on them covered by dish after dish of delicious food. While wooden tables are arguably the most popular types of picnic tables, metal picnic tables and aluminum picnic tables have a lot to offer

themselves. In fact, you will not find a more durable picnic table than one made of metal – as long as you protect it from the elements. In this article, we will review the virtues of metal and aluminum picnic tables and explain why you would want one for your own use.

Why Use Metal Picnic Tables?

The main value of a metal picnic table is durability. Wooden picnic tables look nice, but they are very vulnerable to rain, snow, ice, and sun, as well as damage caused by repeated wear and tear. They can also give off splinters that can be very painful and annoying. This is not to say that wooden picnic tables are bad. They are great in their own right. But if you want a truly durable table that will not be defeated by the elements, then picnic tables made of metal are definitely the way to go.

What Materials Go Into Metal Picnic Tables?

Most picnic tables made of metal are constructed from steel. Steel is quite light and versatile, yet also very strong. Therefore, with metal picnic tables you get a table that can withstand punishment, but is also light enough to move around the backyard or park if you need to do so. You can also find picnic tables made from steel-plastic hybrids, like tables with a steel framework and plastic or fiberglass tables and benches.

Why Use Aluminum Picnic Tables?

Aluminum picnic tables offer the advantages of regular metal picnic tables – and a little more. Aluminum is incredibly light, even more so than steel. Thus, any picnic table crafted out of aluminum will be very light so that you can move them anywhere you need to for maximum portability. Of course, one downside is that they can be adversely affected by strong winds. How do you deal with this issue with aluminum tables and rust with metal ones?

Taking Care of Metal Picnic Tables

Anything metal that is placed outdoors can rust, and metal picnic tables are no exception. No one wants a bunch of rusted out picnic tables that are eyesores – not to mention dangerous to use. To protect your metal tables, you should spray on them a protective anti-rust coating. Apply a coat, let it dry, then apply another. Topping it off with a water sealant could not hurt either.

Aluminum does not rust, per se, but it can be corroded. Chances are, though, that your aluminum picnic tables will be standing strong for a long time. This is one of the best features of aluminum picnic tables, and one of the reasons many people choose them for their backyards.

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Wooden Picnic Tables

The Beauty Of Cedar Picnic Tables

If you love picnics, then you probably love picnic tables too. You are more than free to eat on a blanket placed on the ground, of course, but nothing beats setting out a spread on a nice, solid picnic table. Whether it is in a park or in your very own backyard, picnic tables can be made of many different materials and can come in various shapes and sizes. One of the best materials for a picnic table is wood. This article will talk about iconic wooden picnic tables and the benefits they offer.

Why Choose Wooden Picnic Tables?

It is hard to visualize a picnic and not think of a wooden picnic table loaded down with food. These are the most common types out there, and are symbols of a picnic and everything that comes with it – food, family, and fun. They also have other benefits besides cultural ones. One benefit is that wooden picnic tables are easy to build and are relatively inexpensive. You will not have to shell out as much money for these as you would other types.

Another benefit is that wooden picnic tables are very aesthetically pleasing. You can paint them in various colors and designs for a splash of color in your backyard or park. You also do not have to worry about unsightly rust or an unnatural look with either metal tables or plastic ones. This is one of the main reasons why people choose to make their tables out of wood.

What Types of Wood Are Used?

You can make a picnic table out of virtually any type of wood, provided it is big enough. Now, you do not want to build one out of balsa wood, but with the exception of flimsy materials, many types of wood will do. Hardwoods in particular make great picnic tables because they are very tough and durable. You might actually find these hardwoods in your bedroom and living room furniture – oak, beech, ash, cherry, maple, and others.

Softwoods can be used too. Two really popular types of wood to use to make picnic tables are cedar and pine. Pine is commonplace because it is cheap and easy to use, as well as plentiful. Cedar is becoming more popular because of its great smell in addition to the properties of pine. Cedar picnic tables tend to be a little more expensive than pine ones, but they look gorgeous.

Wooden Picnic Table Concerns

There are a couple of things you should watch for when using picnic tables made of wood. The first involves splinters, those pesky and painful pieces of wood that can ruin any picnic. The second involves weather damaging your wood and the paint on the table. You can protect against both of these with a few coats of water sealant. The sealant will protect your table from rain, snow, and ice, which will keep splinters from forming due to weather-related damage. You can also cover your table with a thin plastic spray that can seal the wood and keep splinters from breaking off, although this is not as aesthetically pleasing as using sealant.

Picnic Food Ideas For Potatoes

Picnic Food Ideas For Meat : The Perfect Hamburger

Picnics are some of the best activities you can participate in with your family and friends in the great outdoors. With good food, good conversation, and good fun, a picnic offers you a chance to enjoy being outside. Whether you have a picnic in your backyard or hold your picnic in a state park, a picnic table is a must. If you want the best picnic experience, then you need the best picnic tables. This article will take a look at cedar picnic tables and will explain to you why they are recommended for your next outing.

Cedar Picnic Tables: An Attractive Choice

It is odd to think of a picnic table as a beautiful object, when all you do is sit on and eat off of it. But, a picnic table is still a piece of furniture, and I think anyone would agree that furniture can be visually appealing. Cedar – especially Western red cedar – has a rich and robust red color that comes in various hues, from light, almost golden wood to a deep honey-like color with red undertones. The patterns in the wood are graceful and combine with the color to create a very stimulating appearance for your next picnic.

The Aroma of Cedar Picnic Tables

It may again seem odd to think of picnic tables as having an aroma, since most of them don’t. Cedar, though, is a very aromatic wood, as anyone with cedar furniture knows. If you want to have a picnic outdoors, it can only be enhanced by the rich, pleasing smell of cedar.

Cedar Picnic Tables: Durable and Structurally Sound

Anyone who wants a picnic table needs it to be durable, resist stains and other forms of damage, as well as last a long time to get your money’s worth. Cedar offers structural stability with resistance to buckling or cracking. Plus, the smooth, grain-less surface and lack of pitch in the wood means that you can apply just about any finish you want to this table.

Cedar picnic tables are also very lightweight, which means you can build and transport them wherever they are needed. Furthermore, they will last you a long time. Properly maintained, a red cedar picnic table can give you a great place for your picnics for up to 50 years – which is incredible for a piece of outdoor furniture made of wood!

Lastly, if you want a safe picnic table, then cedar offers that. It not only resists splintering, but does not contain arsenic or any other chemicals for treating the wood (if it is made properly). You definitely do not want any of this near your food or your loved ones.

Cedar Picnic Tables: Conclusion

If you are in the market for a solid, reliable picnic table, then cedar offers you great benefits. It is safe, stable, long-lasting, visually appealing, and aromatic, and is a fantastic material for picnic tables wherever you need them to be. There are plenty of good materials out there for picnic tables, and cedar is one of the very best.

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Octagon-Picnic-Tables-And-Hexagon-Picnic-Tables

Hexagon Picnic Tables

We use furniture every day, and typically we do not think very much about them – especially picnic tables. To most people, a picnic table is a picnic table is a picnic table. But believe it or not, there are many different types and styles of picnic table that are made in many different materials and come in different colors.

They also come in different shapes besides your standard rectangular table that is so common in parks all over the world. For example, did you know that you can get octagon picnic tables? What about hexagon picnic tables? It is true – and they may offer benefits to you over the regular tables. This article will discuss these types of tables and why you might want to get one of your own.

Benefits of Octagon Picnic Tables and Hexagon Picnic Tables

A regular picnic table allows you to have a place to eat, sit, and talk with your friends and family at a picnic. Most people think that a picnic table is pretty simple, but there is a bit more to it. Your standard picnic table is rectangular, with two benches on either side of the table. Octagon picnic tables and hexagon picnic tables, on the other hand, are shaped differently.

For example, hexagon picnic tables have six sides and feature a large central table with benches on each side capable of seating two people per bench. This way, you can seat 6 people comfortably with plenty of room between people. Octagon picnic tables are the same, except that they have 8 sides and can seat 8 people. Both tables also have an added bonus of having walk-in seating, or gaps between the seats so you can get in and out comfortably.

Why Buy Hexagon Picnic Tables or Octagon Picnic Tables?

There are many great reasons. One reason is that you can save money making your own table than buying a regular picnic table. They are also more attractive than regular tables and can complement a backyard or garden very well. Additionally, when everyone is seated on your table, they can see everyone else easily without having to talk around people with a straight table.

Materials for Hexagon Picnic Tables and Octagon Picnic Tables

When deciding to buy one of these tables, you need to consider what material you want to use. Each material has its own advantages. Wood is the most popular choice because it is versatile and very attractive. Metal is very durable, tends to be lighter than heavy wooden tables, and is quite sturdy. Plastic tables are inexpensive, light, and resilient. All of these materials are great for use for these tables, and the choice really comes down to your personal preference. I personally recommend a nice red cedar octagon or hexagon picnic table because it looks and smells great.

The bottom line is this: octagon picnic tables and hexagon picnic tables have a lot of great benefits for you over regular picnic tables. Consider these the next time you’re shopping for a table for your backyard.