Customer Reviews

2x4basics AnySize Picnic Table Kit, Sand

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I just completed building this picnic table and am pleased with the result - both in terms of final cost and esthetics. And while I'm not much of a craftsman, basic math skills say that the assembly instructions on the box are frustratingly WRONG (and note no other instructions come inside the box so keep the box until it's built). In case you didn't know, what is referred to as a 2" x 4" is in reality only 1.5" x 3.5". the width of the plastic table frame is 29.62" and because of the way the predrilled holes in the frame are lined up the boards that go on top of the table can't exceed that. Let's do the math: 8 boards on top at 3.5" each is 28" plus the 7 spaces of 0.5", which is spacing width according to the instructions, come to a total of 31.5". In other words if you follow the instructions you won't be able to get all 8 boards on. Fortunately I realized this before I had screwed the boards to the plastic frame and corrected the spacing. In my case I used some chopsticks that were about 0.30" and that worked out fine.

Another frustrating detail you need to be aware of is that if you build your table to the maximum 8' length and you use the more economical framing 2x4s that I did then your bench will feel like a trampoline when sit down on it. The span is just too long for the boards not to noticeably sag. My solution was to screw two boards underneath the spans at appropriate intervals to shore up the bench and that solved the problem. One nice thing about the benches is that they are wider and one person who sat on them commented that it made them more comfortable.

One last thing you should know if you plan on rounding the corners - you either have to cut them before you screw them on or move the legs closer to the center. I had planed to cut the corners (the cutting template is on their website but no mention of that is on the box) but after I had assembled the table and benches according to the instructions it wasn't possible to cut them because it would have required cutting into the plastic legs.

I tend to believe the manufacturer's claim that the plastic frames will last many years (they use the word lifetime) but it would be nice if they could get their act together and provide better instructions.

Just look above for the image of the red bench. That's the bench I made with this kit. The color is called "Mickey's Pants". Very red, very bright!

The bench was an easy project. Just measure, cut, paint, and screw!

The instructions were easy to follow. If you look on the 2x4 Basics website, you can find the template to make the rounded corners.

I was looking to buy just an old fashion picnic table when I saw this kit. I like doing projects so it looked great..As soon as I received the kit I ordered the lumber and in a little over an hour I had the first bench done. I opted to make it 8 feet long so doing the table took a little longer but it came out GREAT and no one could believe that I made it by myself. I added a chair to each end and was able to have enough room for 11 people. It's solid and looks good. (Now I just have to figure what color I am going to stain it).. Once again this was a great project and I am very pleased. I don't like to read instructions so the pictured instructions on the box was perfect for me. Colleen

This is just what I was looking for to put on my deck. I bought the wood necessary for the table and benches and it was very convenient to put together. However, there was one problem I have, maybe two. The instructions called for spacing the boards 1/4 inch apart on the table requiring new holes in the plastic. The predrilled hows would not line up with the wood with the 1/4 inch spacing/ I had to go back and remove each board after drilling holes and reduce the spacing. There was too much over hang for the last board on each side of the table top. Another problem I see is with the material the screws are made of and whether or not the treated lumber I bought will corrode the screws or not. Only time will tell.

We stopped by and picked up the treated 2x4s, took the kit out of the box, and within 2 hours had it all done! The only tools needed were a skill saw to saw the boards, measuring tape, and we used a cordless screwdriver for the screws. As someone else mentioned the holes did not line up with the 1/2" spacing, so I just spaced them a little closer together and we were able to use all of the pre done holes. My dad is 84 and no longer able to put his legs up and over in a conventional picnic table, so this one with the separate benches was exactly what we needed for his Fathers day gift! All of the picnic tables made like this (with the benches separate) that I could find were over 300.00 , this cost us 74.99 for the kit, and 30.00 for the pretreated boards, what a bargain!

This table is easy to put together and just what we were looking for. Comes with all hardware -- just add the wood of your choosing. Note that the instructions are printed on the box (no paper instructions inside), so don't rip up or throw away the box before you read the instructions. Good product.

Since it is hard to find a picnic table with out attatched benches this was perfect. And we live in the woods and have a lot of tree droppings we can easily replace the goobered up pieces in a few years.

We made the 8' table and it was very easy. We also now have the option of making it smaller.

For anyone considering buying this kit to use with composite wood: this will turn into an expensive (though OK) project. Being environmentally-conscious, I wanted to use recycled materials rather than treated wood. This seemed like a quick kit and a cheaper way to make outdoor furniture. Boy was I wrong. Do not use composite wood that has grooves on the bottom; the solid stuff might be better. I put mine all together, went to pick it up off the floor (had to call a neighbor to help me do that because it was SO heavy) and one of the top pieces came off. So I had to get treated wood anyway to go between the legs pieces and the composite wood boards. I had to get more screws (hard to find short deck ones and/or expensive to get ones specifically for composite wood), and this project ended up taking about 3 weeks to finish. You MUST get/make extra supports for this wood too. I am glad I followed a recommendation from these reviews to get an extra side table kit to use in the middle of the benches. I also had to get more treated wood to rig up 2 T-shaped supports for the center of the table (it visibly sagged the first time I put it together.) I did have to use treated wood for the 2 x 4 horizontal supports, too, because there wasn't a great composite wood alternative. Putting the screws the slots in the resin legs pieces was a little challenging regardless of the type of wood; you have to slant them because there isn't space for a hand or drill directly above. That all being said, I think I have pretty solid pieces now. I also got the bench with the back that swings up to make a table 2x4basics Flip Top BenchTable, Sand, 05319-- that is cool, but a little wobbly with composite wood and only the two pieces that come with the kit. If I was to do it all over, I'd consider getting 3 of those benches, use one kit for extra support of the other two benches and set them together to make a whole picnic table. That would be very versatile when you don't need a table, too, because those benches with the back were pretty comfortable as well.

My 30 plus year old redwood picnic table/benches were ready to go. I looked locally (Springfield, MO.) for a replacemant and found very nice Pateo Dining Sets, not what I wanted. The only wooden picnic tables had the benches and table as one piece, also not what I wanted. I have found the flexability of the seperate benches very handy.
I searched the internet and found that what I wanted was more than I wanted to pay. I then found the 2x4basic Kit on Amazon and oredered it.
The first day I purchased the lumber and stain, cut the lumber, and staind the back side. I stained all sides of the lumber before assembly. The second day I spent a few hours staining the remaining sides of the lumber. The third day I assembled the set. In all it took about 8 hours.
For less than $135.00 I had an attractive and sturdy set which was just what I wanted. I could have done it for less if I hadn't gone with preasure-treated wood.

I bought this kit because I wanted a very large picnic table (and benches) for family gatherings. The kit definitely delivered.

Something to take in account with this kit is auxiliary cost. I constructed the table and benches with 8 foot long non-pressure treated 2x4's and painted the boards with exterior high gloss paint. The 2x4's at Lowes in SE Massachusetts cost $50. The gallon of exterior paint cost $25 (and I used at least ¾ of the gallon). By the way I would suggest not eating on a table constructed of pressure treated wood (it is impregnated with poison after all...)

In constructing the table, I painted the boards first before screwing them to kit provided items.

When laying out the boards for assembly to the kit items, I found that using a dozen or so kid's magic markers placed between the 2x4's lying flat on the ground provided appropriate spacing for the table/bench deck as I screwed on the kit provided items. I also found that drilling my own screw placement holes in the kit pieces for the screws was sometimes preferable to using the kit's pre-defined screw locations.

Construction of the table (minus painting) took about an hour. I would definitely suggest installing the several dozen screws using a drill. Doing them all by hand with a screwdriver would be a real chore.

After constructing the table I found that I needed to install a couple of stringers on the table and on each of the benches. The stringers are 1x3 wood strips running perpendicular to 2x4's underneath the eating or sitting surface. This was to level the table/bench surfaces given the 2x4's tendency to bow/warp as they dry. Not critical but easy enough to do and made the table look better (flatter).

All in all a good kit if you are looking for a large, sturdy, utilitarian picnic table set.