Let’s start by defining “quality.” Here the term refers to STABILITY of the folding picnic table when in use and when being folded. The term also indicates the DURABILITY of the table: will the furniture item be solid and usable for an extended period of time? And “quality” also means that, if something should go wrong with the table, the vendor or RETAILER will support the consumer with efforts to restore or replace the picnic table.

All these aspects of quality can be found in a do-it-yourself, wooden fold up picnic table. Many store-front retailers or Internet sites offer design plans for consumers to build their own folding picnic tables using some strong pieces of common wood, a drill and a saw, hammer, nails, screws and screwdriver. One such site, Buildeazy.com, offers plans for a folding picnic table and bench seat combination with two individual bench seats with backs that fold over and up to form a picnic table. This design can seat four adults and two children. (You can also pull up a couple of folding chairs on the sides for some extra seating.) The construction and design of the table provides strength for reliable use: no safety or locking mechanisms needed.

The advantage of building your own table is control: you determine the quality of construction and materials; you assure strength, durability and stability for the lifetime of your picnic folding table. The disadvantages include the time involved, the equipment needed and the cost of materials.

If these are your concerns about building something on your own, you can readily find options for folding picnic tables at store-front or online retailers. We continue to recommend the measures of quality given above (stability, durability and seller support). To make sure of the seller support, the search may be easier if we start with the manufacturer or retailer. See what dependable dealers offer – and from there, we’ll determine designs and construction that specify stability and durability.

Photo by Ed Yourdon

It’s easy to verify return and customer support policy for a store-front retailer. The Lifetime brand of folding picnic table can be found at Sears, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and K-Mart store. Lifetime tables are available in six- to 8-foot length rectangular shapes, or in a 44-inch round diameter shape. All the lifetime tables are made from molded plastic on a steel frame. The rectangular tables do offer the folding option; the round tables offer swing-out benches and can accommodate an umbrella. Full size (rather than children’s size) table prices begin around two hundred dollars and up. (This is very similar to most camping table and chairs sets, although it may be a little bit bigger.

Other brands and retailers offer similar tables, and durability and stability are indicated in the manufacturer’s specifications. Check the fine print, think about where and how you intend to use the table, and you can readily find something that will please both you and your companions. And remember to think “quality.”

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