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I am thinking about building a picnic table and 2 bench chairs for my backyard. I like to have some kind of drawing or blue print before I start. Can someone tell me where I can find these things? I need something basic, something can be done by 2x4s. My skill level is about intermediate, have basic tools like circular saw and drill/driver. Thanks.
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John, one of the fastest ways to locate something like that is in Home Depot and Lowes. They both have tons of how-to books, complete with photos, diagrams, measurements and materials lists. You can browse and/or buy.
Ralph
*As long as we are on the topic, can someone help me build a bird house? (TIC)
*Sure Matt, you bring the wood and mark the cut lines, I'll do the cutting, you nail it together, we'll both slap the paint on and you screen the tenants and collect the rent. Sound fair? Works for me.
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I wanna play
Charlie R.
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You a roofer, Charlie? The tenants are complaining about the stains on the ceiling and puddles on the floor in the back bedroom.
Matt, you gotta screen them a little better the next time. These complainers are costing us money.
*Ralph you can do the roofing.How much does the inside trim pay?I charge extra for stairs.Do I have to cut outside?Charlie R.
*Sorry, no stairs. Tenants don't need them. And all the cutting has to be done outside on the perch, er.. porch, but watch out for the neighbors, they drop (in) on you when you least expect it.I think the labor rate for trim is about $1.25 a bird foot.
*I made a picnic table with two benches in 1982 and have had it since. I was in the Army then, and I designed it to come apart (legs from top) for ease of moving, and yet not one mover was ever interested in disassembling it. The set went from Illinois to Kansas to Hawaii to Illinois to Wisconsin, and it's still sturdy. Only problem was when a fencer was ripping a board on a bench and also took off an inch off the bench. I dreamed up the design myself, because all ready made sets and plans for them have the tables and benches too narrow for room and sitting comfort, and the X legs are also too narrow, causing the bench to be tippy. I say all this because I'm medium unhandy, and had no problem at all making the set. So, go for it, but add width to what's in the plans. You need a wide enough table for folks eating on either side, yet plenty of room between for the plates of goodies. I think mine's about five ten-by's wide. If you use parallel planks, use an odd number, so that you can cut a center hole for an umbrella shaft without it looking funny. I used PT pine for the understructure and cedar for the bench and table tops. PT will warp too much for the tops.
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I am thinking about building a picnic table and 2 bench chairs for my backyard. I like to have some kind of drawing or blue print before I start. Can someone tell me where I can find these things? I need something basic, something can be done by 2x4s. My skill level is about intermediate, have basic tools like circular saw and drill/driver. Thanks.