Steve,
I'm with you on this one! Cut two sheets to fit, screw the sheets down, let the lumber dry out for 4 weeks, then fill in the seams with a flexible but fast drying caulk. Then paint. If you can still see the seam, then put some landscaping dirt or grass or whatever on top to cover it.
It took me two hours to buy the lumber for my table, four hours to pre-cut all of the pieces, and then four hours to assemble it. Done in 10 hours.
The table was constructed in two halves, and then the halves were bolted together underneath with 3/8 inch bolts. All legs and diagonal supports were attached with self-driving 3.5 inch number 10 screws.
The legs can be removed in 30 minutes, the table unbolted and returned to halves in 30 minutes, and then the two convenient halves easily moved (about 43 pounds each) IF anybody ever wants to move it to a different house.
(Geez)
Mannyrock
