table saw? are you building the pyramids? All you need is a card table, some cardboard, a marker, and a small sweet child willing to chill under a canopy with friends.

:P

• Draw out a quick plan with measurements on it. That way, when you go to cut the wood, you’ll have a reference.
• Make sure you’re using screws that are appropriate for outdoor use.
• If you’re getting 2x4s, go to the end of the pile and look down the length of the boards to find straight ones. They’ll be way easier to work with.
• Consider building it high enough to store a small fridge or ice machine underneath
• If it’s not a permanent installation, consider adding casters like these. Get two fixed ones and two swivel ones, with brakes.
• Again, if it’s not a permanent installation, and you want to add an overhead sign, make it easy to remove for storage.

Sounds like a fun time!

Have a plan before you start cutting, this will save you from multiple trips to get more wood.

How do you plan to finish it? I would suggest some 80grit and 200grit sand paper and then decide if you want to paint or stain. If you stain its worth using a pre-stain conditioner. If you plan to paint use a primer.

I also find that the quality of wood at Lowe’s is generally better for something furniture or finish quality vs Home Depot which only seems to have low quality framing and construction wood. You can get different types of plywood with pre-sanded (you will still need to do some sanding) finishes like Poplar, maple, and oak. It will cost more but if you want this project to last it can be worth the extra, plus it just feels better working with more premium woods, they cut cleaner, sand better, take stain and pain better.

Good luck ~dad