Furniture,  Landscaping

2×4 Folding Bench Picnic Table

woodworking,picnic tables,folding benches,convertible benches,woodworking plans,projects
Folding Bench Picnic Table

Today I finished revising the plans for our folding bench picnic table.

Then I went into the workshop and did a test build of the plans.

I will outline some of the building photos on this page later this week. For now, here is a short video of the completed bench.

logging,lumber,chainsaw milling
logs to lumber

With some logs cut from last summer, I started slabbing them to make the 11 pieces of 2×4 x 8ft that are needed for this project. Here are a few of the lumber pieces made from the logs.

woodworking,lumber,milling logs into lumber
rough sawn lumber

The rough lumber then had to be jointed and planed down to 1.5 x 3.5 inches.

The first step is to cut all the parts from the full size drawings we provide in the building plan.

woodworking,picnic table parts
Cut all the parts

1. Start with assembling the bench seat legs; parts B, D, C and E.

woodworking,picnic table parts
seat base assembly

2. Assemble the bench seat by adding on the parts A.

woodworking,picnic table parts
seat assembly

3. Assemble the pivot mechanism; parts F and J.

woodworking,picnic table parts
pivot assembly

4. Assemble the picnic table leg and bench arm rest portion of the project. Start with parts O and L.

woodworking,picnic table parts
table leg assembly

Next add part N.

woodworking,picnic table parts
table leg assembly

Next add the part I.

woodworking,picnic table parts
table leg assembly

Finally add part H. You also add part M at this time, while its not shown in the photo below, if you looking at the images after that you will see part M added.

woodworking,picnic table parts
table leg assembly

5. Bolt on the pivot mechanism to the bench seat.

woodworking,picnic table parts
assembly of pivot mechanism

6. Bolt on the assemblies you made from step 4.

woodworking,picnic table parts
assembly of pivot mechanism part 2

7. Check the pivoting mechanism and the clearances. Adjust if necessary.

woodworking,picnic table parts
checking pivot assembly

8. Checking for squareness.

woodworking,picnic table parts
checking for proper alignment.

9. When you are adding the parts G, you can add them however far apart you want. Below I show how I attached mine. Some people even replace the 2×4 with 2×6, just adjust accordingly.

woodworking,picnic table parts
Adding the top.

All done!

woodworking,folding bench picnic table
Completed project.
woodworking,folding bench picnic table
Completed project.

A Newfoundland born Canadian with a life long interest in woodworking, baking and anything else that peaks my curiosity.

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