Pallet coffee table

Pallet coffee table
Difficulty
Starter Projects
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I had some left over pallets that I needed to do something with. My wife had found a picture on pinterest of a pallet table and I figured I could build it in under one hour. I used watered down white paint to white wash the pallets. I added them together using 3 inch wood screws and then added caster wheels to the bottom for easy moving for my daughter's impromptu dance parties. See more at http://www.makeitlovely.com/2011/04/pallet-able-home-decor.html

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Width: 2.5 ft, Length: 3 ft, Height: 18 in

Preparation

Shopping List

Pallets
Paint
2 in screws
Caster wheels

Cut List

Cut the pallets to make two equal smaller sections

Tools
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Cut the pallets into equal sections, or just use two small pallets

Step 2

Paint the pallets.

Step 3

Stack the pallets on top of each other and screw the pallets together. Screws can show and give this a more rustic look.

Step 4

Add caster wheels to the bottom. That's it. Bring it in and you have a great easy to make coffee table.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Finish Used
Watered down white paint

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 07/15/2011 - 13:40

Make sure your pallet wood is not treated! Pallets used to be routinely chemically treated and I expect many are still in circulation. According to Wikipedia:

Due to the International Plant Protection Convention (abbreviated IPPC), most pallets shipped across national borders must be made of materials that are incapable of being a carrier of invasive species of insects and plant diseases. The standards for these pallets is specified in ISPM 15.

Pallets made of raw, untreated wood are not compliant with ISPM 15. To be compliant the pallets (or other wood packaging material) must meet debarked standards,[24] and must be treated by either of the following means under the supervision of an approved agency:

Heat treatment The wood must be heated to achieve a minimum core temperature of 56 °C (132.8 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Pallets treated via this method bear the initials HT near the IPPC logo.
Chemical fumigation The wood must be fumigated with methyl bromide. Pallets treated via this method bear the initials MB near the IPPC logo. From 19 March 2010 the use of Methyl Bromide as an acceptable treatment according to ISPM15 [25] has now been phased out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallet

otherwise, great project!

Julie h (not verified)

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 07:13

Hi Ana! First of all, I love your furniture! Im a novice builder and your website is getting me excited to start building!

What type of finish do you suggest for outside furniture? Say I make this pallet coffee table and use it outdoors.

Thanks!!