A plank table is a good way to make a small space into a large one. It’s a great way to entertain, or simply to eat or drink in the open air. There are a lot of options for building a plank table. The only real challenge is sourcing the materials, and knowing what to do with them. Luckily, you can make a great looking and functional outdoor table with a few tools and a little patience.
First, you’ll need to choose which wood type you want to use. Luckily, there are many options out there, including pressure treated timber, which can be cut into the right shape to form a rectangular frame. You’ll also need some long self-drilling screws, which can be used to fasten your new table to the frame. To ensure that the screws do not mar the finish, coat the tabletop with a sealant.
Next, you’ll need to measure the tabletop’s dimensions. This includes a 1 cm (or about 3/32 of an inch) overhang on the sides and top. Make sure you don’t overdo it, as it could result in a cupped piece of wood, but you should be able to fit two 168 cm (66.1 inches) boards on each side.
To determine the most efficient size, mark the largest square on all four legs. Ideally, you should measure a 48″ x 16-1/2″ rectangle. If you are lucky, you may be able to find scaffold boards that are slightly larger than that, or you may opt to use an old pallet to save some bucks.
For the actual top tier, you’ll need to decide how to attach the tabletop. It’s a good idea to use a clamp to help align the frame. However, you’ll want to be careful not to bend the wooden leg supports, as this will impede your progress.
Now that the frame is in place, you can begin attaching the legs. In order to keep your table from splaying out, it’s a good idea to screw the legs into the bottom of the planks. Use three wood screws for each leg. While you’re at it, why not bling it out with a coat of paint?
For a truly impressive table, you’ll need a few more tools. This includes a quality electric sander, as well as a quality spray paint. One of the best ways to achieve a smooth, even finish is to apply a layer of polyurethane, which is easy to do with the correct application technique.
Using a hammer to attach the metal tidbit to the top of the plank is a cool idea, but a better solution is to replace the nails with screws. This will help to make the table stand up to the elements, and will also allow you to reposition the table as needed.
As for the best tabletop material, you can use cedar or redwood wood, or a combination of the two. Cedar wood is especially durable and polished to a fine sheen, and it will hold up well in the outdoors.