An outdoor table is a necessity during the warmer months, here are the very simple steps to making your very own outdoor table. There are only a few steps but it will take a bit of work, to make life a little easier make sure you have everything you need before you start. Trust me you won’t be disappointed with the end result.

1. You will need a few materials:

• Timber: Treated pine or hardwood timber is equally suitable for this project. Treated pine is recommended for its lightness and workability. Use only preservative treated pine then paint or stain with a suitable exterior product.
• Top: 7pcs 90 x 35mm x 1070mm
• Rails: 2pcs 70 x 35mm x 650mm
• Legs: 4pcs 70 x 35mm x 900mm
• Braces: 2pcs 70 x 35mm x 600mm
• Screws: Use wood screws countersink rib head and corrosion proof –38/57x8g, 6/65x10g
• Paints: Two or preferably three coats of 100% acrylic paint
• Filler: Screw holes are filled with fi ller suitable for outdoor use
• Sandpaper: 120 grit

2. You need a few tools:

• Tape measure
• Hacksaw or power saw
• Mitrebox
• Hammer
• Bevel gauge and a protractor (to obtain angles)
• Rafter square
• Chisel
• 50-75mm paint brush
• Cordless or power drill
• Marking gauge
• 1/3 sheet sander
• Plane

3. Make the table top
Cut the top boards to length. Shape the corner diagonally using a plane, then cut the two end support rails to length with their 50 deg end levels. Lay one of these on the workshop floor and pencil a line around its profile to make it easy for setting up the legs later. Lay the boards on the supports to check for fit allowing about 4mm spacings between.

Use a 100×4.5mm nail as a spacer. Adjust this spacing more or less to fit the supports. Allow the edge boards to over hang the supports 5 or 10mm. Check the top is approximately square using a square. Fasten the top board to the spacers with the 57x8g screws. Countersink the screws slightly below the surface.

4. Make the legs
Cut the legs to size and shape. Lay the legs on the floor with their top ends up to the previously outlined support rail in their proposed positions. Using a straight edge, check the bottom of the legs are in alignment, then mark the leg crossing intersection on each leg ready for the half check housing. Mark out the housing depths. These should be half the thickness of each leg.

Remove the housing waste using a saw and chisel. Prime paint the housings. Prime paint all the joints before fastening together. Tack together the legs with two nails to temporarily hold the shape and screw fasten both to the support rails with 2 or 3/57x8g screws each end. Then screw join the legs together at the housing using 2 or more screws. Attach both pairs of legs in this manner.

5. Put it together
Cut the top ends of the braces to shape then measure the length required – see fig.2. To obtain this measurement, keep the legs square. Cut these to length and screw fasten to the legs intersections and the top boards.