Outdoor Table

Howabouts a Pine type wood for the table top and Treated legs? I made many, many…..many picnic tables this way. Most are still around!

If you use fairly nice grained pine/wood on the top, routing the edges, why not use a good High Gloss exterior varnish and paint the legs to match the trim on her home?

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

never thought of that. What do you put on the pine?

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Sand well – smooth. Then I would just used a clear sealer and then the varnish, usually about three coats-all sides (spray?). Used galvanized screws or nails. Personally I like to see the wood grain. (You could also stain if Mom has a stained siding on her home – then varnish.) Three coats should last a really long time.

Treated wood is generally a yellow pine and has a good tendency to warp. After the table is constructed, you might use Thompson’s Water seal on the legs, let the sun “dry” this wood the rest of the way for a day or two. Then prime and paint the legs. This should lesson the chances for warping greatly.

There is also exterior semi-gloss varnish, I use this a lot.

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

sounds good. Thank you. this sure sounds a lot less expensive than cedar

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

On the west coast, Redwood’s actually not all that pricey. And although it’s mostly sap wood, you can actually get sustainably grown redwood, not just rapaciously clear-cut old-growth…

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

maybe I should call a sawmill and see what they have available for a reasonable price

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

The redwood could be a good option too. I wonder if poplar would also work? Of course it would need to be sealed well with paint or some kind of finish.

I would avoid pressure treated materials. While it may hold up to the elements, the treatment uses chemicals you would not like to be exposed to. I worry that even if you paint or seal it, there still could be some issue with it. Not to mention, you would have to clean up and discard that sawdust, not put it in your garden or flowerbed like regular sawdust.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

We went and checked out the table today. It’s looking good. Mom has put three coats of “Spar Varnish” on the pine. The cedar, of course, looks as beautiful as cedar does!

We used some pressure treated wood for some stuff – and then I learned about the contaminates and I doubt that we’ll be using it again for anything. The alternatives might be more expensive, short-term, but health of people/plants/animals/environment is more important

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Glad to hear that she did not paint it.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

yah, I was a holding my breath when I got out of the truck and took a look..

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I heard of a new alternative to pressure treated woods. They bake poplar to a high temp….300 degrees or so until all the sugars are cooked out. The bacteria and fungi don’t have as easy a start is the idea. I don’t think it has the same longevity as treated wood and costs more but I too am trying to avoid using the treated stuff. I’d still use it to frame a deck or fence but that’s about it.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

that’s interesting.
I’m glad to hear that they are trying to find alternatives.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Use some an exterior wax over the varinsh for added protection, it sheds water better.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Hey Dick, have you considered Cypress?

-- Sawhorse - Sulphur Springs, TX - www.sawhorseworkshop.com

thanks for that tip, Dick. I’ll let my Mom know.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Debbie, Check out Wood Magazine #177 07/07. They have an article for a good looking patio table. They went with Cedar, but many of the options others have posted will work. It should be a more affordable design. There is also a good tip about sealing end grain. The article compares Cedar vs. White Oak. The short version is that White Oak costs a little more since it can’t be picked up at a Big Box store. It is twice as heavy, and is more dense which means that it will dent less and hold screws better. They are both equally weatherable. I’ve used Cedar a lot and have had no regrets, though. I get it rough for about a $1BF from a local source.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Thanks, Jeff.
The “white oak” information is really good to know!! And I’ll see if I can track down that magazine. The sealing of end grain sounds like it is valuable information

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Debbie, Here is the link to the free plan for the table from Wood Magazine I was referring to. I found it on their site shortly after my last post:
http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/slideshow/slideShow.jhtml?slideid=/templatedata/wood/slideshow/data/1161369007355.xml&catref=cat5650002

Here is a picture, poor quality:

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Sawhorse, when I read this, I thought cypress as well. It’s a great wood for outdoors.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

thanks Jeff. that is really great plans. I think I could follow that!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I just finished a chair in cypress. This wood has beautiful color and is easy to work with. Norm Abrahm rates it the best for outdoor duribility. So far, my source is Rockler and I bought it on sale at $4 a bd/ft and that was 50% off. At $8 a bd/ft, a large project will have serious cost implications.

Not considering price, I agree that cypess is a good choice for outdoor wood. I have seen several projects posted in Western Red Cedar and that wood had a great look too.

Jeff, nice plan selection.

-- WaywardHoosier - Behind schedule and over budget, but who's counting?