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A 47-1/2" square picnic table that seats eight — everyone faces everyone, nobody straddles a bench end, and the L-shaped corner legs carry it all.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg halves, 2x6 From the 10-foot 2x6. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 28 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Leg halves, 2x4 From the 10-foot 2x4. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 28 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Aprons between 2x4 leg faces | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 36 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Aprons between 2x6 leg faces The two lengths differ so the frame squares to 47-1/2" both ways. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 37 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Long seat supports These go on the 2x4 leg sides. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 23" | — | ☐ |
| Short seat supports These go on the 2x6 leg sides. Handed — don't mix. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 22" | — | ☐ |
| Diagonal braces Both ends 45°, parallel, long point to short point. | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 18 3/8" | — | ☐ |
| Tabletop and seat boards | 16 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 47 1/2" | — | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x6, 10 ft The four 2x6 leg halves. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 10 ft The four 2x4 leg halves. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 8 ft Aprons, seat supports, and braces. | 6 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 8 ft The sixteen tabletop and seat boards. | 8 each | ☐ |
| Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive | 170 each | ☐ |
| Exterior finish | 1 quart | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 2x6, 10 ft, 2x4, 10 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
Screw each long (23") seat support to its short (22") mate per the diagram, making four L-shaped cantilever assemblies.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
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.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x6, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 2x6, 8 ft, Exterior screws, #9 x 2-1/2" to 2-3/4", self-tapping, star drive
Screw the seat boards to the supports, gaps matching the top. Sand every edge a thigh will meet.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Exterior finish
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.