Making an octagon picnic table is a great way to add a feature to your outdoor living space. The steps to build an octagon picnic table are as follows:
1. Gather Materials: Before you start, make sure to gather all of the necessary materials. You will need: 8 pieces of 2x6x8 lumber, three 2x6x10 boards, 3 inch deck screws, wood glue, wood saw, square, drill, drill bit, and wood finish of your choice.
2. Cut the Boards: Once you have the materials, you’ll need to cut the boards to size. Cut the eight 2x6x8 boards into 8 equal lengths and the three 2x6x10 boards into 8 equal lengths to create the tabletop and seats.
3. Assemble the Pieces: To assemble the boards, use wood glue and 3 inch deck screws. Begin by attaching four of the boards together to make the tabletop. Attach four of the cut pieces from the 2x6x10 boards to four of the cut pieces from the 2x6x8 boards with wood glue and screws.
4. Make the Base: To make the base of the picnic table, attach the remaining 4 pieces of 2x6x8 boards together with wood glue and screws. Make sure that the boards are securely attached and that they are forming an octagon shape.
5. Attach the Top to the Base: Finally, attach the tabletop to the base with wood glue and screws. Make sure that the tabletop is firmly secured to the base.
6. Finish the Table: To finish the table, sand any rough edges and apply your chosen wood finish.
Building an octagon picnic table is a great project for any homeowner looking to add a unique outdoor feature to their outdoor living space. With the right materials, tools, and knowledge, this is an achievable project for any DIY enthusiast.
What are the dimensions of a picnic table?
The dimensions of a picnic table vary depending on the style, but the average picnic table is 8 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide. The height of an average picnic table is 30 inches. The seating area is usually 18 to 24 inches wide and is typically about 17 inches off the ground.
The seating area should leave enough room for you and your guests to comfortably sit and enjoy a meal. Some picnic tables even have umbrella holes placed in the center so you can put an umbrella up and enjoy the shade while you eat.
For a more specific answer, it is best to look up the dimensions of the particular picnic table you are interested in purchasing.
How wide is an 8 foot picnic table?
The average width of an 8 foot picnic table is approximately 30 inches. The precise measurements can vary depending on the specific style and design of the table. For example, some 8 foot picnic tables may have a square table top or a larger oval or rectangular top.
In addition, there may be a lip or overhang on the edge of the table which can increase the overall width of the picnic table.
How much should a picnic table overhang?
The exact overhang of a picnic table will depend on the size and design of the table, as well as the requirements of the particular installation. In most cases, a picnic table overhang should measure between 6 and 24 inches, with 8-12 inches being a typical measurement.
Factors like the materials used for construction, the size of the table, and the intended use can affect the optimum overhang measurement. For instance, if a picnic table is particularly long and designed to seat many people at once, a longer overhang may be desired to help accommodate the larger number of people who are likely to use it.
Similarly, if the picnic table is to be located in a particularly windy area, a larger overhang can help provide some protection from the wind. In contrast, a smaller picnic table with limited seating capacity may do well with a smaller overhang.
Ultimately, it is important to choose an overhang measurement that will best suit the individual requirements of the particular installation.
How much space do you need for a picnic table?
When deciding how much space you need for a picnic table, there are several factors to consider. The size of the picnic table you choose will determine the amount of space needed. Most rectangular picnic tables come in 6-foot, 8-foot, and 10-foot lengths.
If you choose a 6-foot table, you’ll need an area that’s at least 12-feet long by 6.5-feet wide (12-feet to account for space needed to walk around the table and 6.5-feet wide to account for the width of the table and space needed to walk behind the bench seating).
Likewise, an 8-foot table will need an area that’s at least 16-feet long by 6.5-feet wide, and a 10-foot table will need an area that’s at least 20-feet long by 6.5-feet wide. Additionally, you’ll want to account for any additional space needed for chairs and a table umbrella, if desired or necessary.
If you plan to include chairs, they will need a few feet of space around all sides of the picnic table. When planning the size of the picnic table and the surrounding area, allow some extra room to account for easy movement while seated at the table.
Do outdoor tables need gaps?
Yes, outdoor tables should have gaps. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, outdoor tables should have gaps to allow air and moisture to circulate. This helps to prevent issues like rotting, mold and mildew, which can quickly ruin outdoor furniture.
Second, outdoor tables should have gaps to prevent issues like water pooling. This can not only damage the surface of the table, but also attract pests such as mosquitoes or even rodents. Lastly, having gaps at the edges of the table can also provide additional storage space if desired.
Some tables come with built-in storage underneath the gaps, allowing users to keep items like tablecloths or cushions close by but out of sight. All in all, having gaps in outdoor tables is essential for proper maintenance and longevity.
What angle are picnic table legs?
The angle of the legs on a picnic table typically varies depending on the style of the table. In general, the legs for a rectangular picnic table are slightly angled outwards when viewed from the end.
This angles the top of the table slightly up and away from the ground for a more comfortable table height. On octagon or round tables, the legs may be angled slightly inward so that the table is angled slightly downward, allowing for more surface area on the table top.
The angles of the legs on your picnic table may also depend on the manufacturer and design. For example, some tables may have legs that feature more of an outward angle, while others have legs with a more subtle inward angle.
Be sure to double check your table’s specifications before purchasing.
What kind of wood do I need to build a picnic table?
When it comes to building a picnic table, you have a few options when it comes to the type of wood you can use. Some of the most popular choices include cedar, redwood, pine, cypress and Douglas fir.
Each of these woods has its own set of benefits, so it’s important to take a closer look at each of them so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Cedar is a very popular option for outdoor furniture. It is both rot and insect resistant and has a beautiful reddish tone. Cedar is also very durable and weathers well, lasting many years with proper care.
Redwood is another great choice for outdoor furniture, like picnic tables. It is both strong and lightweight, making it a great option for picnic tables. It is also very resistant to decay, rot, and insects and is naturally resistant to shrinking and warping.
Pine is quite common and is one of the most affordable wood options. It is easy to work with and has good weather resistance when properly finished. The downside with pine is that it can easily succumb to rot, so you will need to apply regular sealing and staining to maintain its appearance.
Cypress is a harder wood, which makes it more resistant to splitting and warping. As an added bonus, cypress has a natural resin in it that resists rot and insects. It is quite expensive, though, and can be hard to find.
Douglas fir is a great option for picnic tables as it is strong, yet still relatively lightweight, it is quite affordable, and it is rot-resistant and easy to work with, making it easy to assemble.
No matter which type of wood you choose for your picnic table, the most important thing to remember is to finish and seal the wood properly. This will help ensure your picnic table stands up to the elements and looks great for years to come.
How many people does an average picnic table seat?
An average picnic table typically seats six to eight people. Of course, this can vary depending on the size and shape of the picnic table. Where possible, it is best to measure the size of the table to make sure it is big enough to accommodate all those who will be joining in the picnic.
Some picnic tables may come with a bench attached, while others may come as separate benches that can be placed around the table. Typically, if the table has attached benches, it will seat up to six people, and if separate benches are used, it will seat up to eight people.
Should I use pressure treated wood for a picnic table?
It depends on what you are looking for. Pressure treated wood is wood that is treated with a chemical preservative to protect it from rotting, mold, insect infestations, and other damage that can occur from exposure to outdoor elements.
Because of the chemical preservatives, pressure treated wood is used for outdoor applications such as decks, outdoor furniture, and picnic tables.
Generally, pressure treated wood tends to be more cost-effective than other options, making it a popular choice for outdoor projects. Additionally, the chemical preservatives make it a long-lasting option, so you can expect the picnic table to last for many years.
However, pressure treated wood can be more difficult to work with because the chemicals can cause respiratory irritations and other health issues. Additionally, some of the chemicals used in pressure treated wood may be toxic to the environment if not properly disposed of.
So, if you are looking for an affordable, long-lasting outdoor picnic table, then pressure treated wood may be a good option. However, it is important to keep in mind that the chemical preservatives present some potential health risks and that proper disposal of the wood is required.
What is the wood to use for an outdoor table?
When choosing the type of wood for an outdoor table, it is important to consider the climate of the area and the exposure to the elements it will have. Teak, shorea, cedar, redwood, cypress, and Ipe are all popular and relatively weather-resistant hardwoods that can withstand extreme conditions, such as sun, rain, and snow.
Teak, in particular, is known for its durability and resistance to rot, and it is one of the most popular woods for outdoor furniture. It is a bit more expensive, but it will last for years, even with minimal maintenance.
Cedar, shorea, and redwood are other popular options, although they may require additional finishing or protection after installation. If a simpler, more affordable option is desired, then Pressure-Treated (PT) woods such as pine or fir are good choices.
PT woods are treated with preservatives to help protect them from moisture, rot, and insect damage. However, even though PT woods are fairly easy to work with, they may require more maintenance than hardwoods if exposed to the elements for long periods of time.
Can you use untreated wood for outdoor furniture?
Yes, you can use untreated wood for outdoor furniture, however it is not recommended. While it is a more affordable option, untreated wood is much more susceptible to damage from harsh weather conditions than treated wood.
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause the wood to fade, reducing the attractiveness of your outdoor furniture. Moisture can also break down untreated wood and cause warping, rot, cracks, and splintering.
This can be especially dangerous if the outdoor furniture will be used by children, as splinters can easily occur. Additionally, the unprotected wood can also become home to mold and mildew. All of these elements can reduce the longevity of your outdoor furniture, forcing you to replace it more frequently than if it were treated.
Can you eat on pressure treated wood?
No, you should not eat on pressure treated wood. Even if the wood looks dry on the outside, it could still contain chemicals that are used to treat the wood, such as chromium copper arsenate (CCA) or ammonium copper arsenate (ACA).
Eating or even coming in contact with these chemicals can lead to hazardous health effects. Eating on pressure treated wood can also lead to food contamination, especially if the wood contains wood preservatives.
It is highly recommended to always use food-friendly surfaces such as stainless steel, plastic, glass, and ceramic products when eating or preparing food.
