How to Build a Table & Chairs

Chair

• 1

  Pick a level working area with plentiful light to construct your table and chairs. Place your tools and materials within easy reach.

• 2

  Place the two 1-by-10-inch wood boards measuring 43 and 32 inches long on the working surface. Place a dinner plate upside down at the end of one of the boards. Trace half of the plate on to the wood with a carpenter's pencil to form a rounded top on the board. Repeat with the other board.

• 3

  Cut out the boards with a jigsaw along the line drawn in the previous step. This should form a rounded top on each of the wooden boards. Sand around the cut to remove and rough edges.

• 4

  Make a mark in the center of the flat part of the longer board that is 12 inches from the straight end. Make a second mark in line with the first and 1 inch below it. Use a ruler to draw a straight line from each of the marks to one side of the board. Draw a third line to connect the two marks at the center of the board, forming a rectangle.

• 5

  Repeat Step 4 with the shorter board. These lines are the outlines for cutting the slots to hold the chair together.

• 6

  Cut out the slots that where drawn on the boards in the previous step. Make the cuts straight by following the lines you made with the ruler.

• 7

  Paint the two pieces of wood with outdoor paint in any color or design as desired. Allow the paint to dry completely.

• 8

  Slide the two slots together to form an "X" shape with the two wooden boards. Point both of the rounded ends upward and place the straight ends on the ground. The long board is the back of the chair and the short board is the seat.

Table

• 9

  Place the two boards measuring 26 and 15 inches long on the working surface. Measure and mark a spot 13 1/2 inches from one end of each board at the center of the board. Mark a second spot 1 inch below the first marks on each board.

• 10

  Draw a rectangle in the same manner as Steps 4 and 5 of the chair. Cut the slots out with a jigsaw. These are the table legs.

• 11

  Cut a 45-degree angle at each end of the 15-inch board, using a jigsaw and a protractor. This is the table top.

• 12

  Paint the three boards with wood paint. Allow the boards to dry before assembling table.

• 13

  Slide the slots of the two table legs together to form an "X" shape. Drop the table top piece in between the legs, with the angles facing down. Place the table next to the chairs.