Dr. Deb wrote:
On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 11:00:01 AM UTC-5, Greg Guarino wrote:
We've had thoughts about finally revamping our back yard. Life has
recently thrown us a curve that may delay that (again), but I'll ask
anyway.

I'm thinking primarily of an outdoor dining table; simple, farmhouse
style. I'd like it to be over-large, but I'd also like to be able to put
it in a shed for the winter, so I'd probably build two normal-sized
tables instead, with removable legs.

So firstly, is this a stupid idea? Will I simply be building myself a
neverending project; one that will need refinishing every year or two?
We live in NY City; a pretty "versatile" climate with high humidity in
the summer, and of course, rain. The table would sit on concrete. We'd
keep some sort of fabric awning/umbrella over it, but nothing that would
truly keep it from the elements, (except in the winter).

If it's not stupid, what sort of wood should I build it from? Are there
perhaps plastic "cups" that are designed to protect the bottoms of (say)
4x4s where they would touch the ground? If I were to use metal fasteners
(for the legs, plus possibly pocket screws elsewhere), would those be
problematic over time?

There is no reason to put it in the shed, after all its an outdoor table. Given where you live (I cannot say NYC without thinking of the Pace Pecante sauce ad from years ago), but not knowing "Where" in the confines of the city you live, let me offer the following - assuming you want to do this at a reasonable price. Use white oak, its locally available, it weathers well and if you have a planer, you can get it cheap from a sawmill within driving distance. Then forget screws and glue - draw bore the sucker. Gluing will not hurt (Titbond III - avoid Gorilla) but it is not necessary. You have barns in the country around your area that are three hundred years old, some are built out of white oak (though a lot were out of chestnut, which is no longer available, thanks to the Chinese) They are still standing and doing well. The only thing holding them together, besides very good joinery, are the dowels used to draw bore it.

If you have never done any draw boring, its simple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYoawkLmVk

Sellers makes his pegs, but you can buy them at your local hardware store. The important part is to taper the beginning two inches of the dowel to allow it to get through the offset hole.

Then I would finish the table with a good exterior oil and just reapply whenever you think it needs it.

After watching the perfesser in that video I feel like all my
woodworking has been just hacking. As Stringbean used to say, "Lord I
feel so unnecessary".

--
GW Ross

If it walks out of your refrigerator,
LET IT GO !!