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About Project
A hexagon shaped picnic table. Features six large bench seats and round top, updating the casual classic into a more user-friendly backyard fav!
Dimensions
Materials and Tools
9 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
12 - 2x6 @ 8 feet long
Cut List
3 - 2x4 @ 26 1/2" (Longest points - one end @ 30 degrees off square and the other end coming to a beveled 30 degree point - see step 1)
3 - 2x4 @ 25 11/16" (Longest points - one end @ 30 degrees off square and the other end coming to a beveled 30 degree point - see step 1)
3 - 2x4 @ 40" (Longest points - one end @ 30 degrees off square and the other end coming to a beveled 30 degree point - see step 1)
3 - 2x4 @ 39 1/8" (Longest points - one end @ 30 degrees off square and the other end coming to a beveled 30 degree point - see step 1)
6 - 2x6 @ 6 3/8" (Longest points - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square NOT parallel to each other)
6 - 2x6 @ 13 1/4" (Longest points - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square NOT parallel to each other)
6 - 2x6 @ 20 1/8" (Longest points - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square NOT parallel to each other)
6 - 2x6 @ 27" (Longest points - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square NOT parallel to each other)
6 - 2x6 @ 33 7/8" (Longest points - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square NOT parallel to each other)
6 - 2x6 @ 40 3/4" (Longest points - both ends cut at 30 degrees off square NOT parallel to each other)
6 - 2x4 scraps @ 12" (Blocking)
6 - 2x4 @ 33" (Both ends cut at 30 degrees off square, Parallel to each other)
General Instructions
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Step 1
The support boards need to be cut very carefully as shown above. Since you've already cut the board to the longest point, start by just chopping one end off at 30 degrees off square. Then bevel the opposite end to a point as shown above. You will need to cut all 12 support boards in this manner.
Step 2
Start with the longer of the top support boards, and attach together as shown above. If you do not have a Kreg Jig™, you can use hardware, but only place the hardware on the bottom side (the shorter measurements) as the top will have tabletop boards.
Step 3
Then fill in the remainder of the points as shown above. Again, you will need either pocket holes or brackets on the base.
Step 4
Add the tabletop boards as shown above. It is recommended that you cut your boards to fit, rather than based off given measurements. The gaps between the boards should be 1/2". Use 2 1/2" Screws and glue.
Step 5
Build the base support as you built the top support. This time use brackets on both the top and bottom to create a very strong joint in the center, or use pocket hole screws and glue.
Step 6
And add the seat boards as you did the tabletop boards.
Step 7
Prop the seat support system up over the tabletop on the 12" scrap blocks. Make sure that the centers of the seat and the tabletop match exactly.
Step 8
Mark all the tabletop support boards 8" from the outside. Attach a leg board as shown above to the tabletop supports with 2 1/2" screws and glue. Do this on all six legs, one leg per support.
Step 9
Then screw the legs into the seat supports as shown above. At least three screws per leg. Use glue. This completes the table, you can remove the blocks and flip the table over and finish and use!
Finishing Instructions
I know spring is already here for many of you, so it seems fitting on this day that we spring forward that I should deliver on the long promised round picnic table.
I am so happy to publish these plans, because I've made my greatest effort to simplify the design and make it as easy to build as possible. And I hope that effort enables someone to be able to build this table, and ultimately, to use it for summer barbeques.
And a little update on the move, we are so close to moving over the forum and a few other things, but most plans should be here! I do have a few plans from March and Community Contributed Plans to update and publish, but for the most part, the content that is on our blog is now on our site! For those of you holding a hammer in your hand, midway through a project, I encourage you to take a second and bookmark the plan location on the new site. We plan to move the domain (with this site becoming Ana-White.com) on Friday, so you have a little time, but do make sure you have full access to plans that you are working on (either on the new site or printed out or saved) in the event that the move has any problems.
And I can also tell you that I've been working very hard at planning a great celebration, complete with lots and lots of giveways all week long! I'm so excited, but we haven't quite nailed down (pun is not intended) all the details just yet. Stay tuned, I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I can!
Thank you once again for your great patience with this move. I hope you take a second, if you haven't already, to look around, and let me know if we can do anything to make your life easier, and to enable you to spend less time browsing the site and more time building!
Enjoy this picnic table!
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Octagon Table
Also put together the plans for the eight sides, 8 foot wide table, if anyone is interested, give a holler and I'll put the plans together for you.
WOULD LOVE THE OCTAGONAL PLANS TOO!
Hi Ana - Love your plans and really digging the new site! :) I would love your plans for the 8-ft octagonal table as we have quite a large family and really need a bigger table. Thanks. Ashley - TX
Larger Octagon Table
We are so interested in that! We will be doing a campout in our yard with our (and some friends) homeschooled children this summer and this would be a great project for them to help with and use.
Octogon Table
We would also love the plans for the octagon, but would like to build it around a tree. Do you have plans for that? Thank you so much. Cheryl
Octagonal Table
I would like the plans to the octagonal table... Thank you.
Perfect!
I cannot wait to put this together this summer! It will be perfect for our huge barbecues and bonfires we do in the summer and fall.
Love this!
I really like this. I would really like to be able to have an umbrella hole in the center. If I framed for that in the center, would it still be sturdy enough? Hmm.. Something to think about.
Yes!
Whitney, I also considered this when I was designing this plan. If you think about it, when you sit on the bench, it actually will cause the center supports to push UP and not sag down. And your weight is directly on the legs, not on the supports. So if you were to make all of the supports the same as the smaller supports (for each the top and bottom), this would leave a hole in the center. You would need to provide adequate joining of all the boards as well, with either a brace, a plywood gusset on the top and bottom, or metal brackets.
Hexagonal Picnic Table
I like the idea but would prefer separate benches. Would that effect the sturdyness and could the legs be done so they don't stick out to trip someone with detached benches?
Love it!
Love the picnic table.. just had me thinking.. I want to build some benches for our fire pit!! :)
Love it, but what are the dimensions?
I think I'm going to attempt this after we move, but is this big enough for adults? or is it more kid sized? -Kim
Adult Size
Kim this is an adult sized table, but what a fab idea - to do a kid sized one!
kid sized
This is what I had for the kids, but something bigger for the between years would be great. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&ds=pr&sugexp=gsisc&pq=plays...
Picnic Table
I am so happy to see this. My only concern is that the new images are hard to read for the measurements. May be different if printed out, but I love the new site!
I just checked in the printer
I just checked in the printer friendly version and the numbers are clear as day! Awesome!
Drawing plans?!
I looove this table... and I'm curious....Is there a special program you use to draw out the plans? I love avery's house and since we have a herd (4 dogs and 3 cats) I have dreamed every night for a week on how to turn it into a five cubbie(crate) bench) with a hinged top for easy access to feed/water and on one end the cat box. (with a hidden flap to keep the dogs OUT but let the dogs in :-)
Google Sketchup
Hi, I use Google Sketchup. It's free, and I actually have a tutorial on the old site that should be moved over very soon. I encourage you to give it a go, it's easy to use, and it's always better to build for your specific needs!
Ana, l as well would like plans for the 8 ft Octagon table cool
Ana, once again you are awesome in your excellent designing.
I have wanted a table like this for years and years but not in my limited budget and feared trying to make it is awesome.
I want to make this table, but also want to make the 8 ft Octagon table please send me detailed plans thanks so much.
Ana, l need to know is it better to use a wood conditioner or a primer and 1 or more coats of conditioner if this is better?
Thanks so much Ana
James, Ontario, Canada
James, Wood Conditioner and
James,
Wood Conditioner and Primer are used for different things and one isn't better than the other.
Wood Conditioner: used when applying stain to raw wood (usually soft wood - pine, spruce, etc, but can also be used on hard woods (oak, etc). The purpose of the wood conditioner is to penetrate the pores of the wood and establish a barrier to limit how deep the stain (which is applied after the wood conditioner (follow instructions on the conditioner can) can penetrate. The problem with soft woods is that the pore structure of the wood varies greatly and applying stain without the conditioner results in what is often a blotchy appearance. The number of coats isn't important as the second coat won't accomplish much - it is more important to follow the instructions on the can for how soon after applying the conditioner should the stain be applied. That is where the 'second coat' may come in to play if you can't get the stain applied quick enough to all surfaces.
Primer: used when applying paint to raw wood (soft or hard does not come into play here). This is often a white colored special paint that also seals the wood, bit also forms a secure bonding surface for the paint top coat (finish colour). There are 2 typical types (latex (water based) and alkyd (oil based) and the benefits and drawbacks of each is better left for a google search if you want more info. They both do basically the same thing.
Table
Love this, Ana...great for summertime!
I need a big one AND a little one!
I definitely want to see this in a children's size, as well! I'll porbably end up building a couple of the big ones and at least one small one. We live on a farm and have several BIG cookouts/bonfires/hayrides through the year and these would serve us so much better than card tables! I've always wanted one but don't want to shell out the $400+ for one! Thank you! Muah!
LOVE IT! 8 foot plans would be GREAT!
My in-laws have a table like this that they bought YEARS ago...and we are always using it--especially with all the grandkids!--when we do cookouts or play time at grandma and grandpa's! I have always dreamed of having one but knew that they were too expensive! THANK YOU for sharing these plans! An 8 foot table plan would be WONDERFUL!
Hexagon dream
I have had a dream for a couple of months now! I would love to build a raised playhouse similar to your rectangular one, but a hexagon with a deck area all around. Something that could be built around a tree trunk or free standing. Then a small version of this table could be put underneath as a shaded picnic area.
I have 4 kids, two boys 8 & 10 and two girls 3 & 6. I would love something more unisex and jungle inspired to accomodate all of them. I picture planting climbing vines up the supports and over the top! What adventures we could have!
However, I have no experience drawing plans, estimating costs, etc. I realize this is probably an even bigger undertaking than I imagine, but, if you ever felt inspired to take on some plans like this, I would be so thrilled.
PERFECT!
With a family of six and extras EVERYDAY we will need the octagon one. And a kids one would be great
Love It
This is exactly what I've been looking for and I can build it for much less than purchasing it somewhere. Simple plans and simple tools with a little time, effort and patience and viola!!! Can't wait buy the material and get started! Thank you so much for having the site available.
Would like larger plans.
Hi, love the design. Could I get the larger plans from you? Looking at building in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks
Alex
Kid Size
I know this comment has been made but I was hoping there is an update. Can this be converted to a smaller kid size version? I am designing my backyard to have a designated area for my 3 year old and I would love this to go along with the sandbox also featured on this website.
Treated or untreated
I am wondering if using treated wood would make any difference. I will be leaving this table exposed to the elements all year long and I get alot of tree limbs and random debris during storms. I know it won't be "pretty" but practical is my goal. Any reason I should not use treated?
Octagon, please
My son needs plans for this for his Eagle project. Thanks so much!
Millie
Octagon, please
My son would like to do the octagonal one as part of his Eagle project.
Thanks so much!
Millie
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