How to build an outdoor patio side table DIY

Hi Folks,
This is a build for an outdoor patio side table.
It's made out of cedar but you can really use other types of wood such as pressure treated, fir, pine, etc. if you intend on adding a coat of paint. Cedar is expensive these days and alternate wood will save you $$$$.
It's all done with pocket holes joinery with 1-1/2" EXTERIOR/OUTDOOR screws.
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1-1/2" Exterior Kreg screws - amzn.to/46x5YxS
Kreg Pocket Hole jig - amzn.to/46f8E3N
Pony Jorgensen Band Clamp - amzn.to/3F4X1QR
I purchased 1x6 cedar which should be dimensioned to 3/4" x 5-1/2" but in reality it measured only 5/8" thick and that caused an issue which is shown and resolved in the video. My recommendation is to ensure the thickness of the lumber is 3/4".
Some of the extra details that I added were 1) a slight slant to the interior portion of each leg, setting the slats for the lower shelf so that they are flush with the aprons as opposed to on top of the aprons, and a picture frame mitered detail to the top of the table.
I made the height about the same height as the top of the arms on the deck chairs to make it easy to place drinks, snacks, etc.
Here are some rough measurements for the table. I wouldn't use it as a cut list - just general dimensions as a guide. For example, your outer frame for the table top might be a 16th more or less than my measurement and that would change the length of the slats (+/-) etc.
- The top is 16" x 16" (the outer frame boards are 3/4" x 2-1/2" and 16" long - long point to long point on the miters)
- The 4 slats running across the top are 3/4" thick x 2-1/2" wide - and these are spaced out accordingly to leave a similar gap between the boards
- Overall height is ~20-1/2"
- Legs are ~1-3/8" square and ~19-3/4" in length
- 4 upper aprons are ~ 3/4" x 2-1/4" x 12"
- 4 lower stretchers are ~3/4" x 2-1/4" x 12"
- 6 slats for the lower shelf are ~ 3/4" x 2" x 14-1/16" and these are spaced out accordingly to leave a similar gap between the boards

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi Folks, thanks for watching and let me know what you think of the video in the comments. below. If you liked what you saw, consider giving a 'thumbs up' and subscribing to the channel - Thanks! Dennis

[@gryff8400]

Thanks. I built a similar outside table using your video as inspiration, hand tools and reclaimed pallet planks. I had the same problem with pocket screws 🤷‍♂️ annoying. I dowelled and glued everything, because I didn't want visible screws 😉 only the lower shelf is nailed on to the carrying slats. 👍 Nice work, thanks!

[@DIYwithDennis]

Nice solution! Thanks for the comment!

[@kenb6102]

Hi Dennis, I just built this table after watching your video. I looked all over the Internet and KZbin for a nice looking table and yours was the nicest design by far. Thanks for a great video and beautiful design for an outdoor side table!

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi Ken! That's great to hear! I really appreciate you sharing that comment! Enjoy the Table!

[@GSB1231]

Dennis - beautiful design and love that you share your road bumps and workarounds - Great Video ! I am now a subscriber. Thanks

[@DIYwithDennis]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! Yes, most builds don't normally go as smoothly as planned :). Thanks for the comment and for subscribing! - Dennis

[@barnegatbaywoodworks8728]

Nice build….informative and useful thanks for posting

[@DIYwithDennis]

Thank you for watching and for the comment ..... Much appreciated!

[@djjoeykmusic]

Hi Dennis, great video - thank you

[@DIYwithDennis]

Thanks Joey! Appreciate the feedback!

[@ethanshannon1840]

Great video Dennis. I built a set of these a few years ago but your mitred top is much nicer than the one I built. I made mine a little smaller as well so they could double as tools when they were not being used as tables. Ana White has a few different free plans for Adirondack chairs that would go great with that piece. I'd love to see you make one of those.

[@DIYwithDennis]

Thanks Ethan! Appreciate the feedback! Thanks for the recommendation for the chairs by Ana White. I will definitely check those out. Kings Fine Woodworking also has some nice chairs as well. We have some plastic Adirondack chairs that I would love to upgrade. I'll update the dimensions in the summary above - the top is 16"x16" and it's 20-1/2" high. I made the height about the same height as the top of the arms on the chairs to make it easy to place drinks, snacks, etc. Thanks again for watching and commenting! - Dennis

[@brianmurphy2932]

Hi Dennis, I just saw this. I love the outcome and your tips. Do you have plans? I did subscribe.

[@johnryder8464]

It's only simple if you know how!

[@danstetson6053]

How about giving some dimensions

[@powersfamily6156]

Very nice. Did you apply any finish or will the cedar weather the outdoor elements?

[@DIYwithDennis]

Thanks for the comment! I was just talking about finishing it today! I'm a novice when it comes to finishing, but I am planning on using Odie's oil. Never used it before and I want to maintain the look of cedar. Odie's customer service indicated Odie's oil is a clear finish so I will give it a try - first on a test piece and if satisfied - then on the table. Thanks, Dennis

[@JackAssetsBakin]

Com ferramentas ultra-pro fica facil ne...

[@DIYwithDennis]

Isso é verdade! E eu os usei porque os tinha, mas este é um projeto que pode ser realizado com um gabarito de bolso, uma serra de esquadria e um trilho-guia feito na loja e madeira dimensionada da loja doméstica ou da madeireira. Talvez seja necessário alterar algumas dimensões para adaptar o projeto para armazenar madeira comprada - mas é totalmente viável para quem faz você mesmo. Já pensei na ideia de fazer projetos com algumas ferramentas básicas que os proprietários possuem e seu comentário indica que pode ser uma boa ideia. Obrigado pelo comentário! -Dennis Hopefully that translated correctly but here's the english version as well That's true! And I used them because I had them, but this is a project that can be accomplished with a pocket hole jig, a miter saw, and a shop made guide rail, and dimensioned wood from the home store or lumber yard. You might have to change some dimensions to adapt the project to store bought lumber - but it's totally doable for the DIY'er. I've thought about the idea of making projects with some basic tools that homeowners have and your comment indicates that that may be a good idea. Thanks for the comment! - Dennis

[@robertrapisarda5126]

As a work around if u make more, suggestion, since u already are using the dominos for the miters, why not use that for the “slats” to affix then to the rails? That way, no cracking nor blowouts. Just a friendly suggestion, but make sure U use exterior grade domino’s!! Or defeats the purpose! Lol.

[@robertrapisarda5126]

Also make sure to use the loose and tight settings for wood movement, n not glue in on the rails, a traditional floating tennon method, for wood movement.

[@DIYwithDennis]

@@robertrapisarda5126 Thanks Robert! I appreciate the feedback and the excellent suggestions!

[@ladydragonsrage]

Do you have a cut list? How long to cut the boards? Or am I not seeing it?

[@DIYwithDennis]

Hi, I don't, but I will take some measurements over the next day or so and post them here - Dennis

[@DIYwithDennis]

@ladydragonsrage Hi, I listed the approximate dimensions in the description above. Good luck with your project - Dennis

[@ladydragonsrage]

Thank you. I appreciate your time doing this

[@jimm2442]

Nice idea but too many adds.