Picnic Bench Fixings

[Chrispy6169]

Im building a picnic bench and trying to decide which screws to use? Would stainless steel be best or decking screws which has a corrosion resistant coating be better?

 

[big-all]

what material are you using??
type and size ??

 

[Chrispy6169]

Pressure treated 6" x 2" and 4" x 2"

 

[big-all]

fair chance off lasting 5+ years
i have just made 2 x1.5m benches and a table bench from 6x2treated its constructed with everything screwed with boring 3" twin screws because its main use is a garden woodwork bench that looks like a picnic bench i expect it to need components replacing more often
top and legs 6x1 the feet and mirrored cross bracing under the top are 3x1[ripper down 6x1"]
i would go for stainless or bolts if you want it maintainance free with the odd paint

i pay £3.06 per metre

 

[Chrispy6169]

Im going to bolt the table and seat supports to the legs and screw all the table and seat slats down with 80mm stainless screws

 

[big-all]

yep sounds like a good plan

remember to give it feet at the bottom off the legs to replace when they start to rot

 

[Chrispy6169]

I will probably soak them in wood preserver once a year to keep them good

 

[big-all]

just remember wood will not rot unless a fairly constant around 19% moisture content

this can happen where 2 surfaces touch usually at ground level or where water cant drain
so avoid placing on earth or grass avoid build up off vegetation or general rubbish that can hold moisture for extended periods