Shopsmith Forums

I'm hoping to be able to build a few picnic tables following the plans shown in the link below, and am unclear/uncertain about a few of the instructions.

http://www.shopsmithhandson.com/archive ... g-plan.htm

In step 2 it says "rip one five-foot-long 2” x 10” in half…then crosscut parts D and E to length." It looks to me (from the "cutout diagram" as linked also in step 2) that parts D and E are ripped from a 2 x 6 board, not a 2 x 10. In fact there is no 2 x 10 board shown at all in the cutout diagram, and in the materials list (link at the bottom of the page" it lists parts D and E as being 3 inches wide. Therefore I would assume in step 2 where it says "rip one five-foot-long 2” x 10” in half…then crosscut parts D and E to length" that could be a mistake and it should instead say to rip one five-foot long 2" x 8" in half...

That's what it seems to me but thought I'd throw my question out here to see what others would say, maybe I'm confused about it...

thanks

Probably a typo

a 2 x 6 ripped in half for D and E should do the trick nicely.

ok typo probably then. thanks terrydowning

Also the materials list there calls for 60 of the #12 2 1/2" stainless screws. There are a total of 9 of the 6-foot 2x6 boards on the completed table, (two for each seat and five for the table top). So if each of those boards attached with six screws (two on each end and two in the middle on each board), that equals a total of 54 screws. I wonder what I do with the other six extra screws? Any ideas/input about that appreciated too.

Don't worry, most of the woodworkers on this forum have a few loose screws, you'll just be ahead of the game.

P.S. Make sure to post some pics when your done. we love pics!

Don't worry, most of the woodworkers on this forum have a few loose screws, you'll just be ahead of the game.

Ok will try not to worry.^

Make sure to post some pics when your done.

Will do.^

Also, I'd like any input/thoughts/suggestions/otherwise about my idea now of deviating from the plans somewhat, following the same design but instead making it an 8-foot long table instead of a 6-foot long. For one thing, in that case how long might I make part(s) D (the braces) instead of 30 inches long as per the materials list for the 8-foot table. And another thing, in step 6 there where it says to cut the bevels on the ends of the braces at 25 degrees and at 67 degrees; if I extend the length of the table to 8 feet will those angles be any different??

Other than those factors just mentioned above, I suppose there would be no other changes in the plans to concern myself with?

sgull wrote:

Don't worry, most of the woodworkers on this forum have a few loose screws, you'll just be ahead of the game.

Ok will try not to worry.^

Make sure to post some pics when your done.

Will do.^

Also, I'd like any input/thoughts/suggestions/otherwise about my idea now of deviating from the plans somewhat, following the same design but instead making it an 8-foot long table instead of a 6-foot long. For one thing, in that case how long might I make part(s) D (the braces) instead of 30 inches long as per the materials list for the 8-foot table. And another thing, in step 6 there where it says to cut the bevels on the ends of the braces at 25 degrees and at 67 degrees; if I extend the length of the table to 8 feet will those angles be any different??

Other than those factors just mentioned above, I suppose there would be no other changes in the plans to concern myself with?

An 8' Table is 30% longer than a 6' table. That would suggest the braces should (might need to) be 30% longer. I am not sure that is necessary for a 2' increase in table length.

terrydowning wrote:Probably a typo

a 2 x 6 ripped in half for D and E should do the trick nicely.

A 2 X 8 ripped in half will be closer to 3" wide than a 2 X 6. Still it is an obvious mistake.

An 8' Table is 30% longer than a 6' table. That would suggest the braces should (might need to) be 30% longer. I am not sure that is necessary for a 2' increase in table length.

^That makes sense to me, that a 30% increase in length in the length of the tabletop and seats should necessitate a 30% increase in the length of the braces. But why then the comment that you aren't sure it is necessary for the 2' increase? And, how about the 25-degree and 67-degree angles, should those change at all?

A 2 X 8 ripped in half will be closer to 3" wide than a 2 X 6. Still it is an obvious mistake.

^Well, according to my calculations, a 2x6 ripped in half would be about 2 3/4” wide, whereas a 2x8 ripped in half would be about 3 3/4” inches wide.

sgull wrote:

An 8' Table is 30% longer than a 6' table. That would suggest the braces should (might need to) be 30% longer. I am not sure that is necessary for a 2' increase in table length.

^That makes sense to me, that a 30% increase in length in the length of the tabletop and seats should necessitate a 30% increase in the length of the braces. But why then the comment that you aren't sure it is necessary for the 2' increase? And, how about the 25-degree and 67-degree angles, should those change at all?

A 2 X 8 ripped in half will be closer to 3" wide than a 2 X 6. Still it is an obvious mistake.

^Well, according to my calculations, a 2x6 ripped in half would be about 2 3/4” wide, whereas a 2x8 ripped in half would be about 3 3/4” inches wide.

OK, so which do you want? Neither is 3". I would favor the wider with.

OK, so which do you want? Neither is 3". I would favor the wider width.

Yeah I'd favor the wider width too. yeah neither is 3", like that materials list says. Kind of a weird set of instructions if you ask me.