Attach top on outdoor table

[Phil Mueller]

I’m assuming I can use Z clips or figure 8s to attach the top...or is there some other preferred method for an outdoor table?

It’s a pretty standard table; four legs/aprons with breadboard top.

[Andrew Hughes]

The preferred method would be galvanized carriage bolts. Two per board through the top.Top boards nice and thick no more then 8 inches wide and good spacing between the boards.
I know it’s called a picnic table. But it’s the best outdoor table design that I’ve seen.
Good Luck Phil

[Phil Mueller]

Thanks Andrew. I think I need to rethink the top construction. Would like to avoid spaces between the boards and am trying to use what material I have on hand. Have to give this some more thought.

[Jamie Buxton]

On an outdoor table, gaps between the boards are pretty important. The gaps let water drop through rather than pooling on the surface. They also help with the expansion/contraction issue. Each board changes a little bit by itself, rather than making the whole table width grow and shrink by a whole lot.