Photo 1

It's a picnic table! It' s a pair of benches!

You get double-use, double-fun, from this unusual combination picnic table that readily converts into two attractive benches. Only standard materials available at any local lumber dealer are used in its construction. Cut the table and seat legs and the horizontal seat supports from 2 x 4 stock. Angle cuts on these pieces are made on the saw by setting the miter gage at 72^o. Be sure to round off the top corners of the table legs to allow the table top to swivel, (see drawing ) . Also make a 3/16 inch deep notch in the table leg to receive the rear 2 x 4 stretcher. This stretcher is bevel notched on each end (Fig. No. 3) to support the table top when the top is in a horizontal position (see Fig. Nos. 1 and 4) .

(Photo No. 2)
The top photo shows the two sections placed side by side to form a
36 inch wide picnic table.
In the lower photo the tops are tilted to make up individual benches.

Seat planks as well as the top planks have an 8½ inch overhang at the ends. Drill the bolt holes in the planks first. Lay these planks over the leg assemblies and mark off the hole locations with a scratch awl for drilling.

Be sure to break all sharp corners by rounding them on the shaper or circular saw. The cutters used on the circular saw are the Delta # 35-103 mounted in the # 265 Moulding Cutterhead (Photo No. 8).

Sand the project thoroughly and apply a coat of wood preservative before applying any finish. Leave natural by applying two or three coats of spar varnish. For a painted finish use a coat of outside undercoat and two coats of enamel. White with green trim makes a very attractive color combination.

(Photo No. 3)
Here is a close-up of the top tilted when used as a bench .
Note the steel pin fastened to the top support with a
light chain. Inserting the steel pin through the top
support and rear leg keeps the top ;n a level position.
Also note the bevel notch in the rear brace.

(Photo Ne. 4)
The angle cuts on the seat leg s and table legs are
mode on the circular sow with the miter gage set
at on angle of 72^o. Note the auxiliary fence
mounted to the miter gage body.

(Photo Ho. 5)
The scroll design end of the seat supports should be
cut on the bond sow with a skip tooth blade to assure
a smooth cut. If on ordinary blade is used, the
curved portion can be sanded on the drill press
with a Delta # 835 Sanding Drum.  

(Photo No. 6)
If you desire, the scroll cuts can be made on the scroll
saw, using the #92 scroll saw blade with the machine
running at its highest speed or 1750 rpm.
Sanding can be done on the scroll saw with
the #711 Sanding Attachment.

(Photo No. 7)
To notch out the table legs for the rear brace, make
as series of cuts on the circular saw using all the
cutters of the #34-333 dado head (see finished
cut on the piece to the left in photo above.)

(Photo No. 8)
All sharp corners on the pieces for this project
are easily rounded on the saw by running
them over the moulding cutters #35-103
fitted in the #265 moulding cutterhead.