There is nothing tastier than a snack in the fresh air in the arms of nature, and speaking in a foreign way, a picnic. The impression is spoiled either by stiff legs, or by the back, conspiring to lead away from appetizing dishes in the direction of a comfortable position of the body. What is missing for complete happiness? That's right - a normal human table.
Advantages of folding tables
Why are folding tables so attractive? The undoubted advantages include the following qualities:
- Small dimensions when folded - a valuable feature when there is a shortage of space. The table can be placed in the trunk, going to nature. It can be used in the country as a comfortable garden furniture when guests descended or there is a need for additional surfaces for cooking during canning. The rest of the time, a folding table can be compactly placed, sending it to the pantry, garage, or attic to wait for your hour.
- Some models are so light that they make it possible to carry the table by hand in field conditions, and the design in the form of a compact suitcase with a handle easily allows you to transport it even on public transport.
- Depending on the material of manufacture, a folding picnic table is resistant to atmospheric influences, it can be safely used outdoors with high humidity and temperature fluctuations.
- Strength. Even the presence of moving parts does not prevent the use of collapsible tables for their intended purpose - for pleasant table gatherings, but if you decide to climb somewhere or reach out with it, then the stationary option will be more reliable.
- The usual comfort for eating. High folding tables for outdoor recreation are much more convenient than squatting, bedding or logs around their substitutes, which are a blanket, blanket or oilcloth thrown to the ground. There is no need for a long search for a suitable place, because the table can be placed anywhere: even on uneven stones, even in thick grass.
- The price of a simple folding picnic table for a standard family of 4 is inexpensive, which is advantageous in terms of the convenience provided.
- The simplicity of the design entails a reduction in the cost of such camping furniture. You can make a picnic table with your own hands, having a desire, coupled with 2-3 hours of free time.
What is a folding picnic table made of?
Camping tables for tourism, fishing and outdoor recreation consist of a folding frame and table top. The legs with crossbars that form the frame are steel, aluminum, wooden. The tabletop can be made of steel, wood, aluminium, plastic, chipboard and fiberboard with a laminated front. A small folding table for a picnic in nature has a top surface made of dense water-repellent fabric (polyester). The camping set of furniture includes, in addition to the table, folding chairs or stools.
Aluminum folding table
It is known that aluminum is a corrosion-resistant metal, so its operation on the street will not cause much trouble. It is lighter, cheaper in price than "stainless steel", but less durable. The distributed load that a folding aluminum table can withstand is from 8-20 kg (steel - up to 100 kg). The table itself has a mass of 5 kg, folds into a suitcase.
Wood
Folding picnic tables made of wood are distinguished by good quality, pleasant to the touch, but somewhat larger, heavier than models with a wooden work surface and metal legs. Lightweight construction consists of a slatted or fiberboard, chipboard top with steel legs. Large options with benches are very convenient in the country.
Plastic
Low tables made of plastic with removable legs are well suited for children. The advantages of picnic tables with a plastic top and steel legs are lightness, hygiene, durability and strength, a wide range of colors. At a low price, a plastic table can be large, accommodating 6 people or more.
How to choose a folding picnic table
A few tips for making a smart choice:
- Decide how many people will be eating at the folding picnic table. The more of them, the stronger and more spacious the table should be. Reliable and large models with light weight - with a plastic tabletop, heavy - wooden, steel. Increase the useful volume of the table shelves under the working plane, covered with fabric. For 4 people, an aluminum table is suitable, and for fishing alone or in the company of a friend, a compact version with a fabric tabletop is suitable.
- Remember to match the dimensions of the furniture when folded to the volume of the trunk of your car.
- Remember that a very light and high folding table is good for hiking. In strong winds, light load, take care of its additional fixation to avoid tipping over. More stable tables - with cruciform legs, or an "X" mount under the table top.
- The next step is to choose the desired shape (square, rectangular, round, oval), colors, if the aesthetic component of the picnic is important to you.
- When outdoor recreation involves going to a territory with difficult terrain, then pay attention to tables with telescopic legs. They can be adjusted in height independently of each other, providing good stability on uneven ground.
- To protect from the sun, rain, choose folding tables with a hole in the middle, into which you can install an umbrella or a support for stretching an awning.
- When stationary using a folding table in the country in the summer season, stop at heavy, voluminous wooden structures. They have an attractive appearance, warming with the warmth of home comfort. With the end of the dacha harvest, the table can be folded up for storage.
Folding tables prices
A folding table can be bought at an online store of goods for sports, tourism, fishing, looking through the catalog, or at ordinary points of sale with a similar specialization. Individual production can be ordered in carpentry workshops, furniture stores. In August 2016, the following prices were formed depending on the type of table, manufacturers (Chinese and Russian are common on the domestic market):
- plastic with metal legs for 6 people, folds into a suitcase - from 1990 rubles;
- with a steel frame, MDF-, chipboard-, fiberboard-top - from 800 rubles;
- a set with two polyester chairs - from 1300 rubles;
- wooden rack - from 1800 rubles;
- garden wooden set with two benches - from 3200 r;
- stainless steel - from 1100 rubles;
- aluminum - from 1600 rubles;
- aluminum with adjustable legs - from 3000 r.
How to make a folding table with your own hands - drawings
It is possible to create a folding table with your own hands if you focus on the drawing, have a tool like a drill, screwdriver, grinder, jigsaw or saw, be able to use a corner and a ruler. Below are drawings showing how to make a folding table, showing the design, the required elements. The dimensions are indicative - if necessary, they can be changed in compliance with the proportions.
