How to Build A Picnic Table | This Old House

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a simple way to construct a strong and sturdy picnic table. (See below for tools and materials.)

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Outside the barn, Tom and Kevin built a simple picnic table out of 2x framing lumber from a local home center. They fastened it together with construction adhesive, deck screws and galvanized-steel carriage bolts.

Tools for Picnic Table:
- Sliding compound miter saw [amzn.to/2IXBVXh]
- Caulk gun [amzn.to/2FrvACl]
- Drill/driver [amzn.to/2JcVevV]
- Layout square [amzn.to/2RqDil4]
- Adjustable wrench [amzn.to/2N635jU]
- Hammer [amzn.to/2Fp3xU6]

Shopping list for Picnic Table:
- Construction-grade 2x4s, 2x6s and 2x8s [amzn.to/2IuVkjc]
- Pressure-treated 2x8s [amzn.to/2IUGvFC]
- 16d nails [amzn.to/2IZcAMC]
- Polyurethane construction adhesive [amzn.to/2NdmTSG]
- 2½-inch decking screws [amzn.to/2IuVsiG]
- 4-inch decking screws [amzn.to/2FpAcsu]
- ⅜-inch x 3½-inch galvanized carriage bolts, nuts and washers [amzn.to/2RuleXm]

Kiln-dried and pressure-treated framing lumber and rust-resistant fasteners are available at your local lumberyard or home center.

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Build A Picnic Table | This Old House
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