Table of Contents
- 1Introduction & description
- 2Shopping list
- 3Part identification - Schematics
- 4The plans
- 5The individual pieces
- 6Step 1. Mark and cut the pieces
- 7The angles pattern
- 8Step 2. The round cuts
- 9Step 3. The bolt holes
- 10Step 4. Make up the back seat side-frames
- 11Step 5. Make up the front legs
- 12Step 6. Join the table rails to the leg extensions
- 13Step 7. Assemble the side-frames
- 14Step 8. See if it works
- 15Step 9. Prepare for the seat boards
- 16Step 10. Add the seat boards
- 17Step 11. Add the tabletop boards
- 18Step 12. Keeping the tabletop boards even
- 19Step 13. Add the backrest stop
- 20Step 14. Stop the table from spreading
- 21Step 15. Add the seat braces
- 22Step 16. Well done
- 23Appendix 1: Changing stock size and/or table length
- 24Appendix 2: The backrest clip-on
Introduction & description
Folding picnic table made solely out of 2×4 lumber
This model also has an optional ‘clip-on’ piece that adds to the height of the backrest when the unit is in bench mode.
The ‘clip-on’ actually adds somewhat to back comfort and (depending on taste) gives the bench more appeal.
I have tried to make this project as easy as possible, taking feedback into consideration.
This is a more simplified version with better explanations and loads of photos and drawings.
The size of the thing
In picnic table mode the overall footprint (area it takes up on the ground) is 60″ (1524mm) long by 47-1/4″ (1200mm) wide.
In bench seatA seat that is lacking a divider. A long seat for two or more persons mode the overall footprint is 60″ (1524mm) long by 21-1/2″ (545mm) wide.
The height is 29″ (737mm)
It is built using one woodTimber, lumber. The hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees size only – 2×4, a very common stock size.
The bench arms that have adorned the other models have been done away with as it is excess work, excess materials, and when in picnic table mode it is better without them.
This complete unit is built solely out of standard 2x4s (which measure 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, actual sizeThe finished (dressed) size as opposed to the nominal size of a piece of wood.).
All the pieces can be cut from 9 only 8ft lengths of 2×4. Pretty common stuff.
What’s in this content
There are plan drawings, there’s a shopping list, a cutting list, there is a diagram showing how to cut the pieces from 9 only 8ft lengths of 2×4 to minimize waist, there is a diagram of every single piece with the dimensionsAny of the three linear measurements, length, breadth and depth., and that is followed by step-by-step instructions with plenty of pictures.
The measurements
The measurements in this project are given in both inches and millimetre. The inches are given first followed by their metricMillimeter measurements. equivalents in brackets – for example: 2×4 (50mm x 100mm).
Don’t be confused by ‘nominal’ (in name only) dimensions when you buy the wood.
It is called 2×4 but it really measures 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (thickness and width)
The metric equivalent of 2×4 is 50mm x 100mm, which really measures 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (38mm x 89mm), actual size when dimensioned or dressedSurfaced; planed; smooth; even surface; gauged..
In short – The actual, real size of the wood (thickness and width) used in this project is 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (38mm x 88mm).
If you want to use a different thickness wood or change the length of the table refer to ‘Changing stock size and/or table length’ in the appendix at the end.
Had a blast with this project. Very simple with your instructions! Thank you.
1 piece folding picnic table of 2×4 lumber made off a BuildEazy plan by G.A. Miedema
Les, A couple pictures of my almost finished table/bench from the plans you sent me. Really cool project, I just need to finish with some sort of design/etching.
Mike Hayes
Hi there, I bought the plan for the folding picnic table from you last week and today I’ve finished the project. Please have a look at the pictures attached.
The plan is precise and the work went smoothly. The only thing I added to your plan – I rounded edges for a better look and pleasant touch.
Definitely I’ll use your service in the future, there is a lot of interesting stuff on your website (K2 project is in queue 🙂
Thanks a lot!
Slava Kulchytski
We made the folding picnic table after your plans. It suits perfectly in our small garden here in Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe.
It was a really good guide that guided us through the process. Thanks for that 🙂
Torben Aggerbeck
Folding picnic table out of 2×4 lumber – Came out awesome, I have already had lots of complements on this project.
Aaron Thomas
Thank you for your plan
One piece folding bench picnic tables. Painted. Thanks Build Eazy
Randall Jabeth
Here are some pictures of the Bench and folding picnic table I build with your plan. Great details in your plans. Thanks
Jose C.Ponce de Leon
I used all 2×4 boards. And sanded and stained the cut boards before assembly.
Steve Oliver
‘Hello Les, I just thought I would tell you that I have just finished the buildeazy table bench. I built it with USA pressure treated “2×4″s. They measure 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. I had built this table bench with one simple correction, shorten l seat (rear) pieces by 1 1/2 inches. Then assemble as the rest of the plan shows.
Thanks for your help.’
Don Szymanski
Attached is my little project from a plan I purchase from you. Thanks
T. Mhlope:
‘I attached the 4 pictures I took of the finished product. I placed it online and it was sold and gone in less than 3 hours today. I am going to start the next one tomorrow, as this seems to be a hit around here =]’
Richard Lewis
‘Lots of fun doing this, thank you’
Andre Fauteux
In the attachment I’ve added the photo’s of our homemade folding bench.
It was easy thanks to your plans!! Thank you very much.
We’ve already received a lot of great reactions from neighbors and cyclists.
We placed the bench on the side of our house which is directly situated at the road.
Cyclists actually already used it as a resting point when we weren’t at home.
All the best to you en your company!
Yvonne Dortant
My name is João Carlos I am Brazilian and I live in Brazil.
I made the picnic bench used the site design.
I’ll run another site project.
I’ll sell and earn some money.
Thanks, buildeazy team!
I prefer one with arms and perhaps a wider table implying higher bench back. Any suggestions re best way to do it?
Loved the project. I was curious if there was a way to make it wider by maybe two more boards. What would need to change other than the spread of the table. Any insight would help. Thanks for the great instructions !
Hi
I’m from South Africa. Here we work in metric sizes.
Do your plans come in metric sizes.
THANK YOU!! Your plans were great and instructions easy to follow!! I did it! I’m so happy!!
Old picnic table was rotting away so I took it apart, cleaned it, and cut boards out of it from your pin measurements. Granted these were 2”x 6” boards so there was a little tweaking involved but it turned out well and didn’t cost me a dime using the old picnic table. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Les,
It was a pleasure working with the instruction set you provided.
The logic was clrar, ant the explanation of how to set the seat and table boards length was remarkable.
Thank you so much!