How to Build an 8 Person Picnic Table | WOOD Magazine

This impressive picnic table holds a lot of people but only requires a few tools to make. The notched frame pieces, crafted from home-center lumber, lock together like Lincoln Logs, forming a rock-solid structure. Cutting the notches requires only a circular saw. Jim walks you through this surprisingly easy build that will serve you for many summers to come.

#PicnicTable #Project #DIY #HowTo #Wood

00:00 Introduction
00:56 Build the Seat Assembly
14:17 Build the Lower Frame Assembly
18:05 Build & Install the Risers
19:38 Upper Frame Assembly
22:10 Top Cleats and Braces
25:09 Installing the Table Top
30:43 Making the Seat Tops




How to Build a 8 Person Picnic Table | WOOD Magazine

[fredhaller]

I just completed building this picnic table. My thoughts:
- I really appreciated the Jim Harvey video. It helped immensely as I am a novice.
- This a labor intensive project as every board is cut, ripped on both sides and sanded
- I used stainless carriage bolts as recommended by a contractor friend
- The table is rock solid and looks great
- I used cedar from Menards and found a great deal of variation in width and thickness
- Lumber cost in April 2025 was $800
- I am very satisfied with the build.

[dwaaziwaazi]

Beautiful. I barely had the patience to make basic picnic tables. This is next level..

[JayHorst-pc]

I built one of these about 7 years ago. Still holding up well as I used western cedar.

[EduardoGonzalez-gnld]

Me encanto si forma de desarrollar su trabajo me gustó mucho y aprendí algunos trucos que ocupare muchas gracias.

[kyleolson]

I would like to learn more about how to clone myself like Jim does. I could use an extra hand sometimes.

[sgtlind]

Sweet project! Think I'll tackle this one soon in my garage. The ending made me chuckle, measuring the door opening and then the table, and finally the chainsaw coming out. Been there with a loft bed for one of my kids that was too tall for the room with a ceiling fan I didn't consider. Got the whole thing in the room only to realize, nope, this aint gonna work. Sawzall time.

[phillipsmith]

Beautiful table and very good step by step instructions.

One question; could this table be modified to accommodate a power wheel chair? Thanks.

[SteveBernacki-qwle]

It would help if you mentioned some overall dimensions of the wood being used, as well as using spacers on the top boards and seats, for i fine they will rot in a few years. other wise great job.

[johnslaughter]

The weather has finally warmed up where I can start working on the table. I came up with a question with the 3/8" holes to accommodate the bolts. When I seat my 3/8" bit in the chuck it's a good 1/4" - 3/8" short of the 4-1/2" needed to go all the way through. I don't like not having the bit fully seated. How did you do this? I was thinking a 1/4" long bit would work for creating a pilot hole and then I could drill the 3/8" hole coming from both sides. Thanks. 😊

[GaryArrington-ftcf]

Does the construction adhesive you use hold up better than the outdoor rated wood glue? I was surprised at what you used for gluing. Thanks for the great video

[gregoryschullo]

I didn't see any pilot holes being drilled, was that by design? Would you not be concerned with splitting near the screw placement?

[leonpse]

Is it necessary to have the chairs attached? Is it to prevent theft.

[everettfoster]

Are cut plans available for this table?

[johnslaughter]

My wife works at our High School and she told me they need to get some new tables. This definitely looks like it's plenty substantial enough to stand up to the abuse of high school students. But, what would you think of using lag screws to attach the top and seats? They could be sunk about 1/4" below the surface and then use plugs to fill the holes to hide the screws. The other thing for additional strength would be to use bolts that are an additional quarter inch long. After the nuts are tightened, the extra length could be peened over to prevent the nuts from being removed.

You know, even cedar will eventually decay, especially when sitting on the ground. Now, one solution would be using 8x16 patio blocks. Get the pink ones for color. Or, what about using Flex-Seal? Put about a 3" boot around every leg. That should completely protect them from wet ground. A little pricey though.

[ArthurMills-ew]

What's the total foot print from the back of one bench to the back of the bench on the other side of the table? I want to buy the plans and make this, but I'm not sure if it will fit my patio. BEAUTIFUL project and VERY clearly described!

[SBFHOAViolations]

how much did all the lumber and hardware cost to build? assume pressure treated wood, not expensive cedar.

[threesixmarine]

HI, can you tell me the completed dimensions of the bottoma area footprint (when completed)?

[ArthurMills-ew]

Do you have patio chairs that are of a similar design?

[knightonkid]

TBH, not the best tip ever given. Maybe a swinging arm on the top of the board to prevent the indent caused by the nail stub!

[kenbred]

Looks like it would be heavy as hell and a bear to move