How to build teak patio furniture?

Expert Paint

I am a painter. The only thing I know about carpentry is that I as a painter have to work behind you and fix your mistakes. lol. but seriously, I know nothing about carpentry.

So i obviously start by purchasing teak wood and screws. Then what??? Cut it to fit together however you want it to fit together? how do you find designs on how to build it? is there an instruction book somewhere on how to build furniture? carpentry for dummies maybe?

joecaption

There's thousands of books on how to make furniture.
If you truly have no clue on how to do it I sure would not be making my mistakes using Teak. Way to expencive to just waste.

Get yourself some pine to learn on.

What tools do you have?
Do you have a shop set up?

ratherbefishing

What Joe said. Practice with pine and accept that it won't last, or paint/varnish and accept that it won't last much longer. Or use pressure treated or cedar. Are we talking a couple Adirondack chairs, a glider, or a table and set of chairs? A google search wll turn up some free or cheap plans.

If you want to ty with PT, there are several thicknesses available. I've used 5/4 boards and 1x stock. If that's thicker than you want for chair backs, you can use PT fence pickets. I think they are 1/2" thick, but are rough. So figure on belt sanding or planing.

When you're ready to do a project in teak, be careful of the dust. I seem to remember the dust is either an irritant or maybe even toxic.

Another option would be to buy a pre-cut kit and just do the assembly.

Expert Paint

i literally have no tools and do not know what im doing. i just want a small table and 2 chairs. . . of anykind. What tools will i need? what tools are absolutely necessary for any woodworker to complete this project?

hand drive

you tube is your friend when it comes to seeing how other people do things. finding exactly what you are looking for is the problem, just takes time to search. Unless you plan on building stuff over and over maybe consider borrowing a few wood working tools from a friend or acquaintance to get the project done and returning them.For simple furniture, a skil saw will do wonders. A drill to pre drill and a box of 6d or 4d trim nails. For more complicated stuff - a miter box and table saw along with a router and jig saw and pneumatic nailing devices.

sdsester

I think you should look for an RTA (Ready to Assemble) kit you can put together with a screwdriver. It will come pre-drilled, pre-cut, sanded and so forth. I sailed a boat with a teak deck that we NEVER ever sealed or stained. It was greyish but a great surface. Stain yours if you want.

If you want to build from scratch know that teak is very hard so you will not only need good tools but things like carbide tipped saw blades and drills. It is going to get expensive and as hinted, teak is not cheap to start.

I love teak but it is pricey stuff. In searching for RTA patio furniture, be open to other things you find.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

joecaption

Rule #1 you will never have enough tools. There will always be one more thing you have to have.

Rule #2 do think your going to save money by buying cheap tool. A quality tool will work faster, less vibration, and should last several life times.

When checking out tools I look on Amazon.com and look at the comments at the bottom of the page from people that have bought the tool.
I also check out CPOtool.com at the factory rebuilt tools. I can often find brand name tools with the same warrenty for about 1/2 price there.

A few basic tools I use the most are a 5" random orbital sander, 7-1/4 ciruler saw, 18 volt cordless drill and an impact driver, hammer, nail set.
For furniture building I get some quick set clamps, a bit set, a drill set.

Northern tools has a killer drill and bit set for around $60.00 that has hundreds of pieces from hole saws, masonery bits, and 2, differeant types of drills for wood and metal. There cheap bits but the most common ones have about 4 of the same size in the set.

When looking for 18 volt tools first look at the sets, not the individual tools. It's cheaper in the long run and a set will most often come with 2, batterys and a charger.

sdsester

It is way too expensive to waste even if you know what you are doing. I just looked and was seeing $17.00 a board foot on sale! I am not overly surprised but have had no reason to price it in awhile.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Expert Paint

I worked on a house last year that was entirely teak. (interior floors, T&G ceilings, walls, Exterior siding). its insane what rich folk in aspen do with their money. but after staining all that teak for them, i fell in love with that wood. i appreciate all the help fellas.

robertcdf

BTW, you'll spend way more in tools than just buying some nice teak furniture, BEFORE you add in the learning curve and the wood itself. Save money just buy it pre assembled or a kit as others have suggested.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

woody4249

Funny....we all thought we were doing you a favor be keeping you in work
Have fun with pine first, use this as a pattern for the dream throne you want to build...... out of teak.

__________________
"I'm not as green as I am cabbage looking"

jeremybrooks

One of each!

Personally, I would buy an inexpensive set. Then find plans for something you would like to learn how to build, and start researching and reading and watching videos to see how it is done and what is needed. When you are done, you will have beautiful furniture that you can enjoy for many years. In the meantime, you will at least have something to use.

sdsester

Only if it is of quality. There is no such thing as cheap luggage or tools.

In one case you will find your undies all over an airport luggage carousel at a time and in a place you are least capable of dealing with the situation or you will limp along with a broken wheel.

In the case of cheap tools they will always break when you need them most and they can be dangerous.

Quality can last a lifetime or in the case of good tools will come with free replacement.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

jeremybrooks

I agree. When I said "buy an inexpensive set", I was referring to the patio furniture. When purchasing tools, buy high quality. Cheap tools only lead to problems.

notmrjohn

Yeah, start with cheap wood, good tools. Lots of homemade outdoor furniture, especially tables and benches is made of construction grade and dimensioned lumber. Weather proof glue, rust proof screws. After too many years building furniture, I know chairs can be trickiest things to make, all kinds of compounded complex compund angles and curves and stuff, so use a simple basic pattern, Adirondack is that. Original Adirondak was built with nothing but handsaw and hammer. Table easier, but use a "floating" top.
"Rule #1 you will never have enough tools." especially clamps, no matter where you go to get whatever you need, if they have a clamp for sale, buy it.
For teak you need ULTRA sharp tools, solid stainless steel or solid brass screws, not plated, solvent for wiping oil off before gluing freshly sanded joints, proper weatherproof glues.
Stain your cheap wood teak. After finishing will be too late to call a carpenter to fix your mistakes.

__________________