Pallet Picnic Table How - To

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How to make a kid's picnic table from a pallet. Recycle what would have been trash into a very useable and cute table.

Have you ever been at the point in your life when there is no extra money?  When you need something positive, some growth in your life, but you are saving (or just barely breaking even)?  Don't let that get in the way of your ability to be creative.  When Janae first shared this pallet picnic table on our Facebook Fan Page, I was equally impressed with how cute the table was AND her ability to be creative without spending much money.


Here is from Janae:

I thought about taking pictures as I was going, but I was trying to work with my son's nap schedule and didn't have extra time. Okay, who else can understand where Janae is coming from?  Not just a tight budget, but no time?

I found a few pallets for free on craigslist. I really recommend using ones that haven't been rebuilt several time. The more it's rebuilt and repaired the harder it is to take it apart. Luckily I had one beautiful pallet that came apart with ease. The only problem was by the time I decided to make a picnic table out of it I had already made a pallet shelf.


image from Janae


You can see how to build your own pallet shelves for pretty much free here.





image from Janae


So anyway, I made this picnic table out of 2/3rds of a pallet, some scrap 2x4s I found, and one or two new 2x4s stud length. (At $2 a stick, that's $4 out of pocket)




The table top is 40" long x 21.25" wide. I'm sure it will vary by pallet, but I made sure the pallet notch was centered (this is where I came up with 21.25"). I left the center pallet 2x4. I didn't want to bother removing it, and I felt like it gave the 1x4s more support.

image by Janae


I just cut it at a 30 degree angle to keep it from digging into the kids lap. I think after I cut the 2x4s there were still 3 1x4s still attached, and I just filled the gaps with 3 more (pallet boards)




For the seats, a pallet frame would work, but I had two scrap pieces of 2x4s. I got tired of tearing apart the bad pallets with tons of nails. The 2x4s are 45.5" long. The seats are about 7" wide. For each seat I used a 2x4 and two 1x4s double up. The 1x4s were from pallets. The 2x4 was new, but I could've used 1x4s if I wanted to tear apart the pallet more.









I used the same measurements as the big kid's picnic table for the legs.
Bigger Kids Picnic Table Plans are here.

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I would have just sealed it, but that would have cost money. I used left over primer and house paint. It was the perfect color. Anyone could make this with one pallet and a couple extra 2x4s.

And if you would like to see a video one of our Facebook Fans L Scott shared on constructing a pallet picnic table, you can go here.

And some more pallet inspiration from other Knock-Off Wood readers for you

Bookshelf

Pallet Planter

From the Neglected Nest on our Flickr Group


With a little sweat and a lot of determination, there are no limits to your creativity.  Money need not be a deal breaker in your design dreams.  Hope Janae has inspired you as much as she has inspired me!

Comments

slmpetersen (not verified)

Wed, 06/30/2010 - 01:52

I want one! I would love to have a picnic table like that in big people size...a project that will wait until we buy our next house. Great projects!

Shannon U. (not verified)

Wed, 06/30/2010 - 02:40

My husband works with OSHA standards and wanted me to tell everyone to MAKE SURE your pallet does NOT have a stamp on it that contains the letters MB in the series. That means it's been treated with Methylbromine which has been shown to outgas and cause illness in even small amounts. (These usually come from overseas.)
SORRY to be a Debbie-downer....he thinks most of them are probably ok. I just want my fellow Knock-off peeps to be safe!
GREAT projects, by the way!

Nancy (not verified)

Wed, 06/30/2010 - 04:29

@ Shannon, thanks for the tip! I never heard of that.

I love the inspiration of reusing the pallets.

@ Anna, would you consider making a category on the right side for free-pallets only? It seems like there could be a few pieces to add to that "collection".

lyndyjo (not verified)

Wed, 06/30/2010 - 11:46

I've been eying some pallets down the street that seem to have been there a while. We just moved into a new house with a much bigger deck and our patio furniture looks so small. It would be great to have a table for the kids to eat at. Maybe I'll slip down there in the dead of night and make off with a pallet or two...or just ask the neighbors if they are up for grabs.

I second the love on the leaning bookshelf. Very cool!

Erie (not verified)

Thu, 09/02/2010 - 10:38

This spring we started out with more or less the same design, for our pallet picnic table, but we ended up with a totally different design. We didn't like the idea of dismantling the pallets we found, because they were too nice and sturdy to strip apart. We ended up cutting them up a bit, and stacking the parts to create our table.
See the result here: http://eriestuff.blogspot.com/2010/05/pallet-picknick-table.html

amanda trihey (not verified)

Thu, 09/23/2010 - 14:07

I am soooooo stoked to do this!! Been thinking about it all day, and I just got the approval from my husband LOL.. He told me which saws I "Could" and "couldnt" use without him watching, (worried about the baby and about me cutting my finger off) can you believe it!! LOL, but this is a start.

First im doing the picnic table, I am going to have him help me shorten it to a two seater, then im doing the rolling toybox and then Im gonna make the toybox without cutting the boards and make a trundle for under our crib!!! I am so excited.

Thanks for your hard work on this website!!

scott (not verified)

Thu, 12/02/2010 - 09:39

I have broken down pallets with a sawzall and a blade for cutting metal. I didn't cut the wood but cut between the slats and just cut the nails. It was impossible to try to pry apart the ones I had.

Woodzee (not verified)

Sun, 09/04/2011 - 21:16

I have been looking for something like this because we need an outdoor meeting table for 4 people with laptops. Awesome thanks, will be getting this started tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!