This is a custom-built table request that I just completed, made from shipping pallets. Three kinds of wood from different pallet sources were used in constructing the table: pine, oak, and cedar. Overall dimensions are 30” x 30” x 15”.
The surface of the table top is sanded smooth, but left intentionally uneven, as the pallet planks used to construct the top varied in thickness. The requester wanted the sides to bare the markings and stamps typically associated with shipping pallets, and the wood overall retained the markings, flaws, scars, and wear from years of industrial use, from the elements, and from the pallets original manufacturing.
I am working on a custom request for a customer who wants a small rolling pallet table, and these are some pics from the very early stages of that process.
I first located the pallets I wanted, then had to cut them down to fit into my car (I don’t have a truck yet!) Once I get them home, I begin to completely disassemble them. These were tougher than usual to break down because they were held together with the kind of heavy duty pallet nails that were never meant to come out. Plus, many of the nail heads broke off, making things even more interesting. And lastly, that sure is some dense, hard-ass oak!
My first goal is to salvage as many of the nice main pallet ‘runners’ as I can, i.e. the ones with text, stamps, or colors that I can use to incorporate into the design. I also salvage as much of the deck wood as I can.
Next step will be to start milling down all the wood into usable pieces, and begin the construction of the table top. More details and pics to come…
Wee Pallet Bench/Table
I’ve just completed this bench made from salvaged pallets. I was fortunate enough to have these two contrasting colors of oak on hand, which works nicely for the top. The imperfections and markings of the pallet wood’s past life are all present, and the only finishing I did to the piece was to sand it down to get rid of the splinters and to add a very light coating of linseed oil.
The bench is called ‘wee’ because it is a bit smaller than you might think in the image….it finished out at just over 30 inches long by 14 inches tall and deep. I’m happy with this piece, and I look forward to making more items from salvaged wood. The alternating and contrasting oak planks worked out nicely here. Definitely some wabi-sabi going on here with the nail holes, saw marks, and slightlycupped planks. This was my first try at making these kinds of joints, and for the purposes of this bench, turned out ok.
