Rustic side table made with pallet wood.
Spring is here! Time for outdoor DIY projects.
This week I’ve designed a shabby-chic side table for your deck or patio. Anyone can build this project with just a few basic tools and no large workshop space is necessary. I made this entire project using free wood obtained from old pallets.
- You can make this entirely using hand tools, but it will be much easier if you have a jigsaw and a power sander. Both are inexpensive, easy to use, and will save you a lot of time and muscle aches.
- If you would like to try your hand at busting apart a pallet (it’s quite easy to do) you will need a crowbar and a hammer with a claw for prying out nails.
- I used 1/2″ dowels for the exposed pins. These are decorative and not necessary for the strength of the table. If you would like to include them, you will need a drill and a 1/2″ bit for boring holes.
- I used wood glue, 1″, and 3/4″ nails to assemble the project. The glue gives the table it’s strength: the nails are just needed to hold the pieces in place while the glue dries.
- A couple of clamps would be handy.
- I finished my table using Spar Urethane. It’s a great outdoor finish that will protect the wood from the elements.
- I used 80 grit (rough) sandpaper, mostly to clean off dirt, and stopped there.
*****
Plans
If you would like to give this project a try here are some plans:
Building it is very easy. If you are new to woodworking, maybe a new home owner who wants to get ready for outdoor entertaining this summer, this is a great project to start with. There is no need to get too fussy about any of it: it’s supposed to look rustic!
March 29, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
I’ve made quite a few things out of pallet wood. If you run it through a thickness planers some of it isn’t even too shabby anymore. Its wood. If you have one of these breaking pallets apart is pretty easy:
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9573/rp009.jpg
I made this out of pallets:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5301/eb33020.jpg
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/3867/trunk007.jpg
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4565/trunk006.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7002/sb001t.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7033/xrb001.jpg
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4908/p8160142.jpg
March 29, 2013 @ 6:14 pm
Awesome project, Steve! I’d love to see more pallet pieces.. We find so many uses for them around the farm that my sister actually made a blog post about a few of them! http://www.thatfamilyblog.com/2011/05/one-mans-junk-is-anothers-treasure-aka.html
March 29, 2013 @ 10:22 pm
hey i made today a desk from discarded ply simmilar to your table
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGkBSn4CcAASaN8.jpg
March 31, 2013 @ 12:14 am
Iced Tea?
Really?
Who completes a project and celebrates with an Iced Tea? Martha freekin’ Stewart?
I think I have a late entry to the “You might be a mere mortal if…” contest.
You might be a Mere Mortal if you shoot your final completion shot of a project with a good beer resting on the table.
;D
Just messin’ with ya Steve. Good table.
Even if you serve wimpy drinks on it.
May 9, 2013 @ 10:19 am
What a great video, just gave me another reason to be excited about this weekend…thanks for the great videos!
April 14, 2014 @ 7:55 pm
I love recycling old pallet wood. This table is very funky and is a great homage to the pallet wood reclaim society.
January 19, 2015 @ 2:19 am
Like it. Like it. I’ll do a bigger version for our balcony … after I built the bench. (Then I know how much space I can still use.)
I like the limited tools videos. I have hardly any space to work and – you guess it – limited tools available.