2x4basics 90182ONLMI Custom Outdoor Picnic Table Kit, Water Resistant, Make a Set of Table and Chair upto 8ft/ 96", Sand Color

I've been wanting one of those old-fashioned picnic tables that has separate benches so that we could move them around and use them for different things if we wanted to. Also it's impossible to seat people in wheelchairs at tables that have the benches attached! But it seems they just don't make nice, simple things like that anymore. So I bought this kit thinking my husband could get it assembled in time for the 4th of July.Well, on looking over the instructions on the box, I had a sneaking suspicion I might just be able to do it myself, since there is no measuring or cutting - especially no miter cuts! - involved. All I had to do was ask the guy at Home Depot to cut 4 of the 20 2"x4" boards to the specified length. The rest is all done with an electric screwdriver.I would've got it all done in less than an hour if I hadn't wanted to paint the wood first. I used untreated fir studs - I just didn't feel safe using treated wood around food, no matter how much less toxic it's supposed to be than the old kind - and I used two coats of a redwood-colored latex to protect the wood from weather and carpenter bees. Seriously, waiting for the paint to dry was the hardest part of the whole process! Once that was done, screwing the boards to the frame only took a few minutes - I literally did it while making dinner (OK dinner was frozen pizza, but still!)The plastic used for the frame is very thick and sturdy, and is screwed to the wood with lots and lots of serious wood-screws, so there is no wobble at all and the finished table is very sturdy. I expect it is going to last for many years of family gatherings.Oh, the other thing I like about it is the way the bottoms of the plastic legs slide very easily across the deck without scratching it.I think maybe the only way I could improve this kit would be to have it available in a redwood color so it would match the tabletop better - I would have paid extra for that if I could have found it.

We had already purchased the bench end kits to build benches for underneath a new paviallion that we had built.We were so pleased with them we deceided to buy this table kit and another bench kit.Originally we weren't sure what size we wanted the benches (thse are the ones with backs) so we built a 4 ft and a 5ft. We liked them so much that we bought another bench kit and this table kit.This product is excellant. Easy to assemble when you look carefully at the picture instructions on the back of the box. We used treated 2 x 4's. Be sure to look at the back of the box for pictures. We cut the middle brace boards the same lengh as table top but you don't do that, they are cut shorter. This allows the benches to slide under the table. Also be sure to check the picture of the brace for the benches. It shows you how much shorter to make them. Once we did it correctly, super easy to finish. The information on the box shows the spacing distance of the top boards, which was a little deceiving, but we just used a spacer and laid the boards out on the floor, used the spacer to make sure everything would line up where we wanted it and placed the legs on top, and used the screws included. It looks wonderful, is very sturdy. We used Olympic original cedar toner/wood preservative on the wood which made it look like fresh cut ceder. My husband said whoever thought of this idea to build tables,and benches was a genius.We had a larger 8 ft picnic table, made out of wood which was to big for the 12 x 12 pavillion we had just built. So built this picnic table kit 5 ft. And also built 2, 4 ft benches and 1, 5ft bench. All were treated with the Olmpic toner/preservative I mentioned. They look wonderful, we are very very pleased. If I ever need more benches or a table, I definately would buy this table kit, or bench legs kit.

I used a 2x4 basics set to build a bench that has been sitting out in the woods for 3 years with no problems. I've been wanting a picnic table out there for awhile but they're expensive. While this kit is still pretty pricey (130 for the braces, around 90 bucks for 20 non treated studs), you do come out at least 100 (probably closer to 200-250) ahead of premade options. Just depends on how much your time is worth to you. Since you're going to spend a lot more time putting this together. It took me about an hour to measure and cut up the 2x4s. 30 minutes to put a bench together. 45 for the table. another 2 hours to run to the store and get the supplies. an hour of sanding. and it REALLY needs to be painted or stained so that'll take another couple hours. It's a bit of a pain getting it to go together. I had a heck of a time trying to keep the braces from warping when attaching to wood. They just won't stay square with the wood but it's not noticeable and it doesn't affect the integrity so I just let it be "off" a bit. The instructions want you to cut the bracing 2x4s on the table 12 inches shorter than the tabletop 2x4s. and it wants you to cut the bracing 2x4s on the benches 6 inches shorter than the bench top 2x4s. Assuming you're making your bench and table the same lengths this makes it so you can't really scoot the bench under the table. I figured this out after putting the benches together so I just moved the braces in a few more inches on the table before I screwed it all together. The instructions also recommend not exceeding 6' for the bench. I went 7 because I want to be able to comfortable fit 6 people at the table. It did bend a bit when my wife and I sat in it in the middle (300 ish combined), but not to the point where I was anywhere near concerned about it breaking. I did add scrap pieces from my 8 foot boards to tie all the 2x4s together which made a huge difference. no give at all. Therefore, unless you're wanting to sit 3 - 300# people on a bench, you should be fine with 7'.Overall. I'm happy with the sturdiness and size of this table for the price. it's obviously relatively heavy so I might suggest putting the table (at least) together on site if possible. I expect it to last a while even without paint..And I enjoyed putting it together. if you're relatively handy, like the look of wooden/traditional picnic tables, and have a little time, then this is a great option..