Octagonal Picnic Table Plans Free

This step by step diy project is about octagonal picnic table plans plans. I have designed this octagon picnic table with an easy access to the seats so you can finally create that unique place for hanging out with the friends and family in your yard. This project can be completed in one weekend with common tools and materials you can find at any DIY store.

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. Take a look over the rest of my woodworking plans, if you want to get more building inspiration. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

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Octagonal Picnic Table Plans Free

Building-an-octagonal-picnic-table

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 62″ long, 2 pieces – 30 1/4″ long, 4 pieces – 30″ long SUPPORTS
• B – 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 26 1/8″ long, 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 22 3/4″ long, 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 19 1/2″ long, 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 16 1/8″ long, 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 12 7/8″ long, 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 9 1/2″ long, 8 piece of 2×4 lumber – 6 1/4″ long (22.5 degree cuts at both ends), 1 piece – 7″x7″ long TABLETOP
• C – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 35″ long LEGS
• D – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 95″ long, 2 pieces – 46 3/4″ long, 2 pieces – 43 3/4″ long SUPPORTS
• E – 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 24″ long, 8 pieces – 22 1/4″ long, 16 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 7 1/2″ long SEAT
• F – 8 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 17″ long BRACES
• G – 4 pieces of 2×8 lumber – 23 1/2″ long BASE

• 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12′
• 16 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
• 1 piece of 2×6 lumber – 12′
• 1 piece of 2×8 lumber – 8′
• 8 pieces of 3 1/2″ carriage bolts
• 8 pieces of 5″ carriage bolts
• 100 pieces of 2 1/2″ pocket screws
• 100 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• 30 pieces of 1 5/8″ screws
• wood filler , wood glue, stain/paint

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• 6 foot picnic table plans
• Kids picnic table plans

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How to build an octagon picnic table

Tabletop-supports

The first step of the project is to build the frame for the tabletop. Mark the cut lines on the 2×4 beams and then get the job done with a saw. Make 45 degree cuts to the beams, as shown in the diagram. Smooth the edges with 120-220 grit sandpaper.

Detail

Make double 45 degree cuts to the orange supports, as shown in the plans. Use a miter saw to make the angle cuts accurately. Mark the center of the board, so you can make the angle cuts accurately.

Assembling the tabletop

Fit the supports on a level surface and lock them together as shown in the diagram. First, drill pocket holes at both ends of the blue supports and then secure them to the center of the yellow beam using 2 1/2″ screws. Next, fit the orange supports, drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Remember that this frame will be even more sturdy when you’ll assemble the picnic table, because every component will add strength.

Tabletop-slats

Next step of the project is to cut the slats for the tabletop. Make 22.5 degree cuts to both ends of the 2×4 slats, following the pattern in the diagram. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the slats, so you can interlock them together tightly. Add glue to the joints and align the edges flush. Fit a piece of 1/2″ plywood between the slats, to create even gaps.

Middle slat

Build the central slat for the tabletop from 2×8 lumber or from 2 2x6s. Make the cuts to the slat using the information from the diagram. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

Assembling the tabletop slats

After assembling the tabletop with 2 1/2″ screws, you need to center the supports into place, as shown in the diagram. Next, drill pilot holes through the sides of the supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the tabletop slats.

Building-the-legs-for-the-table

Build the legs for the octagonal picnic table from 2×4 lumber, by making 30 degrees cuts to both ends. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

Fitting the legs

Attach the legs to the frame of the tabletop, 4″ away from the end of the supports. Clamp the legs to the supports, drill pilot holes through both the legs and the supports and insert 3 1/2″ carriage bolts. Insert 2 bolts for each joint.

Building the seat supports

The next step of the octagon picnic table is to build the frame for the seats. Cut the 2×4 beams as shown in the diagram and make 45 degree cuts to the ends. Drill pocket holes to the straight end of the blue and violet  components and secure them to the yellow beams with 2 1/2″ screws. Align the edges flush and make sure the corners are square. Fit a scrap piece of 2×4 between the double boards, to create the 1 1/2″ gaps.

Fitting the seat supports

Fit the seat supports to the picnic table, as shown in the diagram. Clamp the supports to the legs, drill pilot holes through both the beams and the legs and insert 5″ carriage bolts. Insert 2 bolts for each joint for a professional result. Use a spirit level to make sure the supports are horizontal.

Building the base

Next, you need to build the seats for the picnic table. Start with the 2×8 base by making decorative cuts to the two corners.

Seat slats

Use 2×4 lumber for the seat slats. Make 22.5 degree cuts to one end of the slats and then lay them on a level surface. Fit pieces of 1/2″ between the slats, as shown in the plans.

Assembling the seat slats

Secure the slats together tightly with 1×2 supports and 1 5/8″ screws. Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws to prevent the wood from splitting.

Diagonal supports

Use 2×6 lumber for the diagonal braces for the seats. Use a miter saw to make 19 degree bevel cuts to the braces. Drill pocket holes at both ends.

Assembling the seats

The next step is to assemble the seats by locking all these components together. Use 2 1/2″ screws to secure the braces to the bottom slat and to the seat slats.

Detail

Notice how you should fit the braces into place.

Seats

Smooth the edges or use a router to round-over the exposed edges.

Fitting the seats

Fit the seats to the picnic table, as show in the diagram. Center the base of the seats to the legs. Drill pilot holes through the legs and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the base of the slats. Afterwards, drill pilot holes through the seat slats and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the supports.

Octagonal picnic table plans – Top view

Last but not least, you need to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood putty and let them harden for a few hours. Smooth the surface with 120-220 grit sandpaper and round the exposed edges with a router. Apply a few coats of paint or stain to protect the lumber from the elements and to enhance the look of the octagon picnic table.

Octagonal picnic table plans free

Don’t forget to take a look over the rest of my picnic table plans HERE. If you don’t fancy this particular design, you can choose from lots of other outdoor furniture plans I have on the site. Remember to adjust the size and the design of the projects to your needs and to have fun during the process!

If you want to get this project as a PREMIUM PLAN (design differs from this version) with a full Cut & Shopping list, please take a look over the GET PDF PLANS button bellow.

This woodworking project was about octagonal picnic table plans free. If you want to see more outdoor plans, check out the rest of our step by step projects and follow the instructions to obtain a professional result.

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