Materials: Quantity Each: Total Quantity:

2x4x8’ 7

2x6x8’ 1

#

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PREP WORK:

• Before starting, carefully read through the entire instruction sheet.

• Refer to the material list to the left and confirm that you have the correct amount of wood for this project.

Instructions below are for one Child Picnic Table. Write the number of tables you want to make in the upper left box, then inventory materials by multiplying the “Quantity Each” by

this number.

SEAT SUPPORTS: 1. Sort one 2x4x8’ from your lumber. 2. Measure and mark two 40 ¼” pieces from each. 3. From both ends of each 40 ¼“ piece, measure down 1” from the top corner and 2” across from

the bottom corner.

4. Connect the two marks with a line and cut at a ~38° angle to make the illustrated trapezoid.

TABLE TOPS & SEATS: 1. Sort three 2x4x8’ pieces from your lumber. 2. Measure and mark two 48” pieces from each, then cut.

CONTINUED �

TABLE TOPS: 1. Sort one 2x6x8’ piece from your lumber. 2. Measure and mark two 48” pieces from each, then cut.

SEATS & CENTER BRACES: 1. Sort one 2x4x8’ piece from your lumber.

2. Measure, mark, and cut one 48” piece and two 17 ¾” pieces using a 90° cut. To make the 17 ¾“ shapes, measure 2 ¾” from the top left corner and draw a line from there to the bottom left

corner. Set your miter saw to 38° and cut along this line.

3. With your miter saw still at 38°, measure and make two marks: 1” in from the right bottom corner and 1 1/8” up from the bottom right corner.

4. Connect these lines to create a guide and cut at 38°. 5. Measure 3” to the left from the top right corner, and draw a line connecting it to the point on the

right hand side that you just cut (approx. 2 3/8” down). Set your saw to 52° and cut along this line.

LEGS & TABLE SUPPORTS: 1. Sort one 2x4x8’ piece from your lumber.

2. Measure, mark, and cut one 25 5/8”, two 21 ½” and one 19 ½” lengths using a 90° cut.

3. Switch your blade to a 30° angle, then cut the 25 5/8” piece into a parallelogram as shown below. To make the 21 ½” trapezoids, measure down 1” from the top corner and 2” across from the bottom corner.

4. Connect the two marks to create a guide and cut at a ~38° angle.

CONTINUED �

LEGS: 1. Sort one 2x4x8’ piece from your lumber. 2. Measure and mark three lengths of 23 5/8” on the top and three lengths of 25 5/8” on the

bottom.

3. Connect your marks to create three parallellograms with 30° angles as shown below.

FINAL INVENTORY

� Each Total

2

2x6x48

7

2x4x48”

2 2x4x40 ¼”

4

2x4x23 5/8”

2

2x4x21 ½”

1

2x4x19 ½”

2

2x4x17 ¾”

Materials: Quantity Each: Total Quantity: 2x6x48” Table Top 2

2x4x48” Seat 7 2x4x40 ¼” Seat Support 2

2x4x23 5/8” Legs 4 2x4x21 ½” Table Support 2 2x4x19 ½” Center Support 1

2x4x17 ¾” Braces 2 3/8” x 3 ½” galvanized carriage bolt 12

3/8” galvanized flat washer 12 3/8” galvanized nut 12 2 ½” deck screws 1 lb

Tools:

• Drill

• Screwdriver Bit

• 3/8” Drill Bit

• Safety Goggles

• Ratchet with 9/16” Socket OR 9/16” Open-Ended Wrench

• Sandpaper

• Speed Square

• Measuring Tape

• Pencil

• 1/8” Drill Bit

Today you will build _____ Child Picnic Table(s)!

Above is a picture of what your finished project will look like.

Follow the instructions below – and most importantly, have fun!

1. Locate the pieces for the ‘A’ frame and mark the pieces as illustrated in red.

2. On the legs, measure 4” from both the upper and lower right ends of the parallelogram join the markings with a straight line. From that line, measure down 5 ¾” and mark once again.

3. On the table supports, make a mark on the bottom side of the trapezoid, 3” in from the ends.

4. On the seat supports, make a mark 9 1/2” in from the ends on the upper side of the trapezoid, and 7 1/2” in on the bottom side. Join the two marks with a line as shown.

table support

seat support

leg

5. Assemble the ‘A’ frames by aligning the table and seat supports along the lines you just drew on the legs (as shown at right). The top of the legs should be flush with the top of the table support. Attach each intersection with 2 screws, then drill holes pilot hole for the carriage bolts as shown. Attach carriage bolts. The head of the carriage bolt should enter through the side of the seat and table supports and then through a washer and nut on the inside. Note: Always use safety glasses when drilling. Make sure the bolts are staggered as shown by the black dots (not along the grain of either piece of wood).

CONTINUED �

6. Stand up the two ‘A’ frame sides, making sure the carriage bolt heads are towards the outside and the nuts are towards the inside. Connect the two frames with the two outer table top pieces (2x6x48”) and two outer seats (2x4x48”), leaving a distance of 9” from the ends of the seat and table top pieces to the legs as shown on the bottom left diagram.

7. Screw the seat and table top boards to each leg frame. Be sure the seat and table tops extend ¼” past the edges of the ‘A’ frames as shown in the bottom right diagram.

Note: Attach the seat and table top board with the grain oriented as shown in Detail 1. Lumber tends to warp away from the center of the tree: this orientation will ensure the wood cups down if it warps.

Center support

diagonal brace

8. Before installing the rest of the table top, add the center support (2x4x19 ½”) exactly in the middle of the table, halfway between the ‘A’ frames. Attach the support by screwing down through the table top boards.

9. Install the diagonal braces from the center support down to the legs. The braces will need to be offset at the top in order to screw the center table top support into both braces. Be sure to plumb the ‘A’ frames as you install the braces so that everything fits tight and flush. Install the braces with two screws at both ends.

10. Attach the rest of the table tops and seats leaving a ¼” gap in between each board, or an even distance. Be sure to pre-drill to avoid splitting the wood.

11. Clean up your work area and your child picnic table is complete! Thanks for all your hard work!

.