Round Wood Picnic table at Wheaton Labs

If I could do this roundwood picnic table over again (I like the idea of having lots of roundwood picnic tables), I would make a couple of small changes.

The first change is that I prefer when doing saddle joints to carve the saddle on the lower log.  So you can see the existing saddle.  And my crappy drawing below shows (in red) what I regret and (in green) what i wanna do next time.

Next change ...

Here you can see a lap joint.  My concern with this type of lap joint is that the lower part can split off.  

In this case, I think the best thing to have done would be to carve a saddle in the lower log and set the whole log into that saddle - so no chance of a split.

If however, a lap joint like this is a must (for some reason) then I like add a bit of a shoulder for the lower part of the log to rest on - thus preventing any possible split.

For those that are here looking for it: it is at basecamp.  At the caldera.

Perhaps a future competition to see who can design and build the best roundwood table could add several more to the Labs.

I got a private message about this

Would it be good to explain your reasoning for this like you did with the lap joint? Your way is easier, but the standard way sheds water better to prevent rot. And why prefer it over cutting both logs to two V's rather than one half-round notch?

That is a very good point!

I prefer making the saddles on the lower log because when the saddle is on the upper log, it weakens the log.  Not that it would make any difference in strength in this case - but I feel it is wise to set a good precedent.

Maybe this approach is better than the stuff niggling in my head.  Maybe the precedent of "best drainage" should be the top approach for outdoors and "best strength" should be the precedent for where the logs won't get wet.

My thoughts are that if you cut the bottom of the upper log for the saddle, then weight pushing down is more likely to cause that log to buckle and break.  But if you carve the top of the log at the bottom, then the upper log has full strength, and the lower log would be asked to basically pinch the upper log - if the fit is tight enough it won't be able to pinch.

Of course, a similar thing could be said of the upper log in my scenario - if the fit is good enough, it will also pinch and save the wood.  

But a little more detail:  the lower log is quite short.  Maybe this thought process works better to say "the shorter log gets the saddle."

Final analysis:  you win!  Drainage is the clear winner here!

from stephen's thread

Grey and I hiked up to the caldera, and added a coat of linseed oil to all the wood with exposed grain. It's definitely a fantastic-looking, well-crafted piece of furniture and we'd like to keep it around as long as we can.

Now with a bit of snow and fog - thanks to stephen

andres made this amazing image showing the picnic table going together

A new picnic table, almost done.  

Pic by stephen.

Build by Alis and Sam



Probably seats ten.

No metal or glue.  

The logs sticking out the sides add four more seats, plus eliminates the need for additional support in the middle.  

The logs on top are so heavy, that once the saddle joints are in, they might not need pegs!

new pics by dez with the new picnic table

It looks even better in video!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKrimi0qj-s

New video of the log picnic table now published! Enjoy!