WealdLake

Quick Tables

Standard counter height is 32". Standard kitchen table height is 30". 28" best for camp stove table (puts burners at comfortable height). Standard coffee table height is 18". Standard bench height is 16". Adjust your height to expected use. For benches, change to 1 ft intervals instead of 2 ft for the plywood tops and for the crosspiece 2" x 4 length.

Supply list for the 4 - 2' x 4' x 32" tables below:

  • 1 - 4' x 8' x 1/2' sheet of Plywood
    Note: Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Sheathing Panel can be substituted for cost savings
  • 11 - 8 foot 2" x 4"s
  • 16 - 5 inch 3/8" lag bolts
  • 16 - 3 inch 3/8" lag bolts
  • 64 - 3/8" flat washers
  • 1 - 1-5/8" #8 deck screws (100 pack)
Start with the 4' x 8' sheet of plywood. 100_0740.JPG (255870 bytes)
100_0741.JPG (131920 bytes) Measure and mark it at 2ft intervals. This will give us four 2' by 4' table tops. (Change to 1 ft intervals for benches.)
100_0742.JPG (140888 bytes) Mark a straight line across the table and cut the tops. (I used a drywall square to make the lines.)
100_0744-crop.JPG (88100 bytes) Measure 4 ft lengths on 4 of the 2x4s.
100_0746.JPG (157972 bytes) Cut the 2x4s on the marks. This will give you 8 rails for the tops.
100_0748.JPG (208698 bytes) Measure 2 ft intervals on two of the 2x4s for the crosspieces. (Measure 1 ft for the benches).
100_0746.JPG (157972 bytes) Cut the 2x4s on the marks.
100_0751.JPG (231606 bytes) You should now have all the pieces cut for your tops.
100_0752.JPG (157096 bytes) 100_0753.JPG (149756 bytes) Using a piece of scrap 2x4, mark a line one 2x4 width from the end of each of the pieces. This only needs to be done on the top of the 2 x 4 on the 4 inch wide side.
100_0755.JPG (145256 bytes) 100_0756.JPG (184666 bytes) Repeat this for all the pieces on both ends - rails and crosspieces.
100_0757.JPG (182531 bytes) 100_0758.JPG (185719 bytes) Make a mark at 1 3/4 inches. Draw a line to the line previously made, forming a T, dividing the 2x4 in half.
100_0760.JPG (160331 bytes) Do this for all the rails and crosspieces.
100_0761.JPG (193199 bytes) 100_0762.JPG (166119 bytes) 100_0763-crop.JPG (167492 bytes) Next cut out one of the boxes you have drawn, making an L. Do this for both ends of the 2x4, cutting out on the same edge. Again, do this for all the rails and crosspieces. These do not have to be perfect - they are very forgiving.
100_0764.JPG (247827 bytes) 100_0765.JPG (160096 bytes) 100_0766.JPG (162017 bytes) To provide room for the bolt and nut, drill out a hole deep enough for the bolt to safely fit. This is a countersink. Drill on the side opposite of the box you cut out. Make sure the bit you use is wide enough to fit the full top of the bolt in. Again, do this for all the rails and crosspieces. (If you want to hide the bolts and nuts, countersink both sides and use 3 inch bolts.)
100_0767.JPG (247001 bytes) 100_0768.JPG (274803 bytes) 100_0769.JPG (257746 bytes) 100_0770.JPG (218440 bytes) 100_0771.JPG (251713 bytes) Put the crosspieces and rails together. Drill a 3/8 inch hole through both pieces of the wood. Insert the bolt (with washers next to the wood) and loosely put on the nut. This will hold the end together as you drill the other side. Do this for all the frames.
100_0772.JPG (281088 bytes) 100_0773.JPG (259275 bytes) Set a frame on a stable support - bolt head side up. Then put on one of the top pieces cut out above (smooth side up.)
100_0774.JPG (212436 bytes) 100_0775.JPG (177714 bytes) Using the deck screws, attach the top to the frame. Line the edges up to the top, as the frame will move to fit. After the top is attached, tighten the nuts to tighten the frame.
100_0776.JPG (147405 bytes) 100_0745.JPG (204144 bytes) 100_0778.JPG (208288 bytes) Cut the legs to length. Use the guide at the top of the list for suggested heights. Reminder, 4 needed per table/bench.
100_0779.JPG (229957 bytes) 100_0780.JPG (227690 bytes) Place a leg into position, then drill a hole for the leg bolt.
100_0781.JPG (149573 bytes) 100_0783.JPG (178573 bytes) Lay the leg down in the top. Drill a second hole through the side of the table.
100_0782.JPG (148438 bytes) Place the second leg on the same rail in position, then drill a hole for the leg bolt. Using that hole leg bolt hole for a guide, drill a second lower hole in the first leg.
100_0784.JPG (222499 bytes) Using the leg bolts (washers next to the wood), loosely attach the legs together by the hole just drilled in the last step. Lay the connected legs in the table and attach the leg to the side. Do the same for the other side. You now have the table in storage/transport mode.

To provide water and weather proofing, it is recommended you seal the top. We painted the tables with our heraldry using outdoor latex paint (not shown.)