Hello,

I have been asked to build a picnic table for the local school. It will go
in the Pre-K and K play lot. I was thinking of building an octagon one but
I can't find a plan that does not have open benches. I would like to have
benches closed so that the kids will not fall off and you can squeeze more
kids onto the table.

I found a plan that has closed benches but I am a little nervous about
shrinking the plan down to little child size. I also found a child size
plan that has open benches which I think I can just extend the benches to
become closed.

Here is a link that has a children's plan with open benches
http://www.thewinfieldcollection.com.../Picnic_Tables

Here is an adult size with closed benches
http://www.buildeazy.com/hex_table.html


Any one ever do something like this? Thoughts?
TIA

Larry C

"Larry C" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I have been asked to build a picnic table for the local school. It will
go in the Pre-K and K play lot. I was thinking of building an octagon one
but I can't find a plan that does not have open benches. I would like to
have benches closed so that the kids will not fall off and you can squeeze
more kids onto the table.

I found a plan that has closed benches but I am a little nervous about
shrinking the plan down to little child size. I also found a child size
plan that has open benches which I think I can just extend the benches to
become closed.

Here is a link that has a children's plan with open benches
http://www.thewinfieldcollection.com.../Picnic_Tables

Here is an adult size with closed benches
http://www.buildeazy.com/hex_table.html


Any one ever do something like this? Thoughts?
TIA

Larry C

My first thought is if you're going to build anything for kids, whether
you're getting paid or not, have your insurance in order.

Larry C wrote:
....

I have been asked to build a picnic table for the local school. It will
go in the Pre-K and K play lot. I was thinking of building an octagon
one but I can't find a plan that does not have open benches. I would
like to have benches closed so that the kids will not fall off and you
can squeeze more kids onto the table.

I found a plan that has closed benches but I am a little nervous about
shrinking the plan down to little child size. I also found a child size
plan that has open benches which I think I can just extend the benches
to become closed.
....

On the last, nervousness, what's the fundamental difference between the
adult and the child one other than size that concerns you?

You'll have to ensure have enough structural material in doing the
shrinking, obviously, can't just ratio the dimensions of _everything_
except the table/bench heights and the ratios to make the proportions
suitable.

The problem is it takes a lot of perimeter to get very many kids around
one of those and that can lead to a lot of size of table top that isn't
of any use in the middle. If it's to be used for actual eating or
activities where each kid needs a space, the facing in an angled
position towards each other at the intersections also reduces that
functionality in comparison to the straight line orientation.

Need to consider what is purpose and numbers, etc., first and then be
guided from those design constraints/objectives.

One thing on the kiddie table plan shown -- all that flat surface
support is a problem from retaining a lot of moisture that will be a
rot-inducer and and will also tend to make it need a very flat surface
to keep from rocking--I'd toss that concept in the trash heap right off
the bat.

--

Extend the benches on the kid plan. Easiest route IMNSHO.

I do have experience trying to scale down plans and I think it is a
pain and a bit prone to unforseen problems.

On Mar 21, 4:19*pm, "Larry C"
wrote:
Hello,

I have been asked to build a picnic table for the local school. *It will go
in the Pre-K and K play lot. *I was thinking of building an octagon one but
I can't find a plan that does not have open benches. *I would like to have
benches closed so that the kids will not fall off and you can squeeze more
kids onto the table.

I found a plan that has closed benches but I am a little nervous about
shrinking the plan down to little child size. *I also found a child size
plan that has open benches which I think I can just extend the benches to
become closed.

Here is a link that has a children's plan with open bencheshttp://www.thewinfieldcollection.com/product/Kids_Octagon_Picnic_Tabl...

Here is an adult size with closed bencheshttp://www.buildeazy.com/hex_table.html

Any one ever do something like this? *Thoughts?
TIA

Larry C

"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message
...
Extend the benches on the kid plan. Easiest route IMNSHO.

I do have experience trying to scale down plans and I think it is a
pain and a bit prone to unforseen problems.

On Mar 21, 4:19 pm, "Larry C"
wrote:
Hello,

I have been asked to build a picnic table for the local school. It will go
in the Pre-K and K play lot. I was thinking of building an octagon one but
I can't find a plan that does not have open benches. I would like to have
benches closed so that the kids will not fall off and you can squeeze more
kids onto the table.

I found a plan that has closed benches but I am a little nervous about
shrinking the plan down to little child size. I also found a child size
plan that has open benches which I think I can just extend the benches to
become closed.

Here is a link that has a children's plan with open
bencheshttp://www.thewinfieldcollection.com/product/Kids_Octagon_Picnic_Tabl...

Here is an adult size with closed
bencheshttp://www.buildeazy.com/hex_table.html

Any one ever do something like this? Thoughts?
TIA

Larry C


I asked over at the school and they said the standard table would serve them
better. As dpb posted, they figure more kids will fit on a straight bench.

Once again guilty of making it more complicated than I had to.

I do like the look of that octagon table though.

Thank you very much for the replies.

Larry C