Square Picnic Table

Screw each 2x6 leg half to a 2x4 leg half with four screws, outside edges flush, BEST faces turned inward — the leg's inside corner is what diners' knees see. Four identical legs.

Attach the two 36-1/2" aprons between the legs' 2x4 faces, two screws per end, angling the screws slightly for better bite.

Now measure outside-of-leg to outside-of-leg: it must read 47-1/2". The plan flags this check because the tabletop boards are already cut to that number — adjust now or trim sixteen boards later.

Repeat with the two 37-1/2" aprons across the 2x6 leg faces, and verify 47-1/2" x 47-1/2" at the widest points. The two different apron lengths exist to make both directions come out equal — trust them, then verify them.

Screw each long (23") seat support to its short (22") mate per the diagram, making four L-shaped cantilever assemblies.

Cut two scrap blocks at 13" and stand them under each support while you screw it to the legs — every seat lands at identical height, zero measuring.

The handing rule: the SHORT (22") piece attaches to the 2x6 side of the leg, the LONG (23") to the 2x4 side. Dry-place all four before driving a screw.

Cut the eight braces at 45° and install each from the underside of a seat support down to the leg — screw the top connection first, then multiple screws into the leg from the inside.

The seats are cantilevers with adults on the end; these diagonals are what make that math work. All eight, no skipping.

Rack the frame until the diagonals match, then screw down the tabletop boards with even gaps.

The two END boards are structural: give them extra screws into the aprons and the tops of the legs. They tie the whole top into the frame — the middle boards just come along for the ride.

Screw the seat boards to the supports, gaps matching the top. Sand every edge a thigh will meet.

If the seats see standing (they will), the plan sketches an extra seat-bracing option — a support run between seat boards and frame. Cheap insurance on a table this social. Finish everything exterior-grade and start assigning seats.