This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build an small outdoor table. If you want to learn more about building an outdoor table made out of wooden components, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. There are many designs and plans to choose from, so make sure you take a look over the related table plans that are featured on our website.
Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the outdoor table to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.
If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Made from this plan
How to build an outdoor table
Building an outdoor table
Materials
- A – 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 15 1/4″ long LEGS
- B – 4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 17 3/4″ long FRAME
- C – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 31″ long APRONS
- D – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 3 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
- E – 8 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 41 3/4″ long, 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 19 1/4″ long TABLETOP
- 3 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
- 4 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
- 1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 4 ft
- 2 1/2″ screws
- 1 1/4″ screws
- glue, stain
- wood filler
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses
- Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Drill machinery and drill bits
Tips
- Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
- Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface
Time
- One Day
Related
Building a patio table
Building the frame of the table
The first step of the project is to build the frame of the table. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to cut the components out of 1×4 lumber. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the long components and secure them to the sides aprons.
Attaching the legs
Continue the outdoor project by attaching the legs to the frame. Align the legs with great care and secure them to the frame with galvanized screws. Drill pilot holes through the frame and insert 1 1/4″ screws from the interior into the legs. Plumb the legs with a spirit level and make sure the frame is horizontal.
Fitting the bottom braces
In order to enhance the rigidity of the outdoor table we recommend you to fit 1×4 braces to the bottom of the legs. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the table and secure them to the legs, after aligning them with great care.
Fitting the corner supports
Cut four supports out of 1×4 lumber and set them to the corners of the table. Drill pilot holes through the supports and secure them to the frame of the table. Add waterproof glue to the joints, in order to enhance the bond of the components.
Building the tabletop
Lay the 1×3 slats on a level surface and leave between the 1/4″. Afterwards, lock them together by attaching two pieces of 1×2 lumber. Drill pilot holes through the supports and secure them to the slats with galvanized screws.
Attaching the tabletop
Center the frame of the table to the tabletop and insert screws through the supports into the frame. Work with attention, otherwise the table won’t have a symmetrical appearance.
How to build an outdoor table
Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues.
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