Flat pack for storage Plywood Picnic Table

These picnic tables are each made from a single sheet of plywood, take about 30 minutes to mark out, and about 1 hour to cut out. The sanding and painting is down to the individual, so I'll not quote any times for these two processes, but I have finished mine with a combination of wood preserver on the undersides and gloss paint on the topsides .


You will need a copy of the plans, which you can download and save from here:

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/picnic-table-to-go-709134/

To mark out the plywood, you'll need: a rule or tape measure, a pencil, a square, and a straight edge of about 4 feet long, or slightly longer; a planed 4 X 1 piece of timber just over 4 feet long, or a length of steel are ideal.

I have used a cordless jigsaw for the rounded cuts, and cordless circular saw for the long straight cuts, but a jigsaw will be more than adequate for all the cutting requirements.

Pay close attention to the plans, as they follow both a Centre Line set of dimensions, and Accumulated dimensions from the bottom edge of the sheet of plywood. The only really tricky part of the plans and the dimensioning is ensuring that you follow the accumulated dimensions correctly and mark out accurately.

Note: I have used 18 mm thick shuttering plywood rather than the recommended 1" thick plywood: so if you follow my lead here, you'll need to reduce the joint let ins from 1" to 18 mm.
 

Step 1

As previously mentioned, I used a cordless circular saw for the long straight cuts, and a cordless Jigsaw for the detailing cuts.

You will obtain a good quality of cut if you use a jigsaw blade that cuts on both the up stroke and the down stroke.

Comments

[matt.nupen]

The pdf link is broken, here's the url of the new address
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/picnic-table-to-go-709134/

[Gareth0123]

Thank you for your comment about the broken link Matt.

I have now up dated the link on the main page of this instructable.

Regards

Gareth

[Gareth0123]

Thank you to all for the nice comments, and especially to Skirmishmonkey for the photograph.

As mentioned in the original Instructable I now have six of these tables for use at the various shows and festivals we attend, and I replace two of the tables with new ones each year.The old tables are donated to my church's scout group for their use at camps, fetes and fund raisers, etc.

I have now slightly modified how I build the tables, using an off cut of ply wood and a 4 inch diameter hole saw to make a plywood plug which I quarter.This is glued and pinned in place under the table tops, and the seat tops. If you use this method under the seat tops the long cut out, and tenon are not required in the seat supports, and it prevents clothing being trapped in the slip joint gaps.

[skirmishmonkey]

You are welcome.

Here is the finished item using yacht varnish (UV resistant, hard wearing and weatherproof).

I like the circular finishing and using the same for the bench seats. It is a simpler finish than the cut outs.

This was my first 'big' project and I am pleased with how well it turned out. Which is a testament to the extremely clear 'ible and great tips included.

TO others, if you haven't started yours yet, do it today.

[skirmishmonkey]

Oops pic didn't upload last time. Here it is.

Thanks again.

BTW, I have had loads of excellent feedback on my build. I point everyone this way.

[skirmishmonkey]

Great Instructable! I bought myself a circular saw and wondered what I could make with it. Saw this and was inspired. Here is a pic of my effort.

Now all that is left is the fine finishing and varnishing. I was thinking of painting but have been convinced to varnish it.

Thanks for the inspiration.

[Tinkerteem]

beautiful design :)

[wiglaf]

Great instructable! I'm seriously thinking of making one of these for my kids, and to use when camping. Would be cool if there were a way to make the feet height adjustable, in order to prevent the inevitable wobbling that occurs when it's placed on uneven ground.

Also, that "cargo cycle" is AWESOME!!! Do you have a link to the web site for it?

[skiedra]

That is a very fine table!

[snoyes]

Neat! Do you have a picture of one torn down and strapped together, and how you carry it?

[Gareth0123]

Good point;

Alas I do not, but I will take a photo of one of the tables flat packed and strapped tomorrow and then add it to the end of the instructable.