Quickie Patio Table - Woodworking Talk

cabinetman · 10-29-2009, 01:29 PM

A little background. LOML is definitely a tool babe. Over the last 18 years, she has helped me in the shop, and on installations. She picked up on doing inlays during a project that had about 53 of them. So, she likes woodworking and finds it a relaxing escape.

Many months ago one of her friends had asked for my advice on maintenance to a patio table that was unfinished Teak. She brought home a picture of it. Up to that point we had been using one of those cheapo $29 round plastic tables. It had served us well but IMO was destined for the heap. While we were talking about the table she mentioned that she likes the look of the grain following the perimeter, and would like to build one as a backyard project. Something she could work on for a couple of hours a day when she got home from work.

Like I said this was many months ago. Well time passed, and she lost interest and kept asking if I would help her out. That means, I had to make it if it would ever get done. So, this project is a perfect example of a very rough, simple, inexpensive table with only about $30 in wood that can be made on your patio with a minimum of tools and time.

The lumber is #2 PT SYP 2x4's right off the stack. They weren't dimensioned for exact widths or thickness. A CMS and a ROS were the only tools used. I used a folding table made up from a folding leg kit and an old door, a couple of sawhorses, 4 bar clamps, and TB III. That's it. The time involved was a couple of evenings after work. This was a quick project, not out to win any awards, but sure beats the heck out of a plastic table.

This first picture is the 42" square top after the final glue up.
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This one shows the leg assemblies.
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And finally, the table standing after staining. Wife picked out the color, so I'm off the hook.
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And here it is with the umbrella, all ready to do some serious sitting.:D
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garryswf · 10-29-2009, 05:17 PM

Cabinetman,
Just goes to show a project is a project, and you didn't start out to build a piano just a comfortable table to set and drink a sweet tea or maybe a beer. I myself can picture me at that table with a cocktail.

rocklobster · 10-29-2009, 08:59 PM

Nice design. Perfect for a patio table qui-- I mean, quickie patio table.

Rob

cabinetman · 10-30-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garryswf

Cabinetman,
Just goes to show a project is a project, and you didn't start out to build a piano just a comfortable table to set and drink a sweet tea or maybe a beer. I myself can picture me at that table with a cocktail.

It's really an easy project done in a non shop environment, with minimal tools, that anyone could do. Good news... I got some hubby points. Bad news...now she wants some matching plant stands.

Allthumbs27 · 10-30-2009, 04:17 PM

Looks sturdy. Those are my favorite type of projects. Wam, Bam, Thank you Mam.

kjhart0133 · 10-30-2009, 05:46 PM

You might want to drop that umbrella pole into a bucket of sand. Even a mild breeze will cause it to tilt and then ... woosh!

Kevin

cabinetman · 10-30-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjhart0133

You might want to drop that umbrella pole into a bucket of sand. Even a mild breeze will cause it to tilt and then ... woosh!

Kevin

WHAT? No comment on the table?

You don't have to, but thanks for being so observant. Actually, I set up the umbrella for the picture. I'm using a floor flange like this, screwed to a very heavy concrete stepping stone about 18" square and 2 1/2" thick.

garryswf · 10-31-2009, 08:05 AM

Cabinetman,
Nice job, looks good. But as you know it is our job to keep peace in the family, especially when it comes to the LOOLs'.