How to Make a Collapsible Picnic Table

A normal-sized picnic table is difficult to transport. A lightweight, collapsible picnic table is a great solution if you like to picnic in different areas. Building a small 3-foot by 4-foot table is an easy task, accomplished with a few tools, lumber and hardware.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch sheet of smooth-finish 4-foot square plywood, pressure-treated
• Six 6-foot 2-by-4s, pressure-treated
• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Sander
• Wood stain or paint
• Box of 20 2-inch nails
• Hammer
• 4 folding leg brackets
• Box of 10 1-inch screws
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Trim the 4-foot square sheet of plywood down to 3 foot by 4 foot for the table top.

2. Cut two 3-foot 6-inch pieces of 2-by-4. Lay them flat and align them so they are 2 feet apart and parallel. Center the table top over them so the 4-foot sides are parallel to the 2-by-4s. Drive nails down through the top along each 2-by-4.

3. Cut two 4-inch-long pieces of 2-by-4. Turn the table top over and nail a 4-inch piece flat on top of a 3-foot 6-inch piece at one end so it lines up. Nail the second 4-inch-long piece on top of the other 3-foot 6-inch piece at the opposite end.

4. Cut two 3-foot and two 2-foot 9-inch pieces of 2-by-4 for the legs. Stand a 3-foot leg up on the end of each 3-foot 6-inch piece without the small 4-inch piece. Attach a hinge to the inside corner of each leg using screws so they fold toward the 4-inch pieces.

5. Stand a 2-foot 9-inch leg up on each 4-inch piece and attach a hinge to the inside of each leg and the 4-inch piece. They fold in after the 3-foot legs are folded in.

6. Sand any rough edges off the completed table. Brush wood stain or paint on all surfaces and allow to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Be cautious when using power tools.

Resources

• Folding Leg Brackets