Need a new table for your kitchen? If you’re a fan of rustic chic and you don’t want to spend too much, then roll your sleeves up and learn how make a DIY Pallet Table yourself.
Pallets are so easy to find and versatile that you can create anything with them, from small pieces of furniture to large items.
DIY Pallet Table
Tools and materials
To make your DIY pallet table you will need the following tools and materials:
- Reciprocating saw
- Reciprocating saw blade for wood and metal
- Orbital sander
- Mitre saw
- Drill/ screwdriver
- Pocket hole jig
- Nail gun
- Screw clamps
- 1 pallet measuring 120 × 100cm
- MDF panel measuring 120cm x 60cm x 10mm
- Wood screws
- Coloured varnish
- Brush
Cost, time and difficulty
This project can cost less than £40 depending on the tools you already have. If you need to purchase some of the tools and materials used, you can browse this sample shopping basket.
This DIY project has a medium difficulty rating. This makes it perfect for anyone who already has some experience working with pallets and wants to practice! If you want to see more projects with a similar level of difficulty, check them out at the bottom of the article!
How to make a DIY pallet table step by step
Making this pallet table took a full day’s work. This amount of time may be reduced by attaching the pallet boards horizontally or vertically, rather than diagonally.
Step 1: Dismantle the pallet
The first step is to dismantle the pallet. To do so, you can use either a crow bar or lever, as well as a reciprocating saw with a blade suitable for both wood and metal. If you opt for the latter, you can have all of the boards ready in just 5 minutes.
Step 2: Cut the boards at a 45 degree angle
To make the work surface or table top we chose to attach the pallet boards diagonally. Not only does this give the table a different look, but it also allows you to get rid of the parts of the boards with nails.
The quickest option is to cut all of the boards to a 45 degree angle using the mitre saw. If you don’t have one, then use a mitre box and hand saw.
The number of boards you need will depend on the length and width of your table, as well as the width of the pallet boards. In any case, you should figure in that the central plank is twice as long as the side planks.
Step 3: Make the table top
Once all the pieces have been cut to size,attach them to a panel of MDF measuring 120cm x 60cm x 10mm. To ensure they are firmly attached, first glue them in place using mounting or wood glue then once dry, strengthen the joint by using the nail gun to add some small nails.
Lastly, sand the entire table top using an orbital sander. This allows you to even out the surface and get rid of any splinters or imperfections.
Step 4: Cut the leg parts
It’s important to keep in mind that the table legs will not only support the weight of the table top itself but also all of the kitchen items and appliances placed on top. For this reason, we recommend the cuts you use for the table legs are no less than 2 centimetres thick.
Besides the legs, you will also need some other parts to reinforce the table top. Use a mitre saw to cut the following pieces:
- 4 planks measuring 90cm long for the legs of a high-top kitchen table, or 70cm long for a standard height.
- 2 planks measuring 20cm long, and 2 x 55cm long to reinforce the table top.
Next, use the pocket hole jig to make the necessary holes in order to screw the 120cm and 55cm planks to the tabletop. If you don’t have access to this jig, you can alternatively use angle brackets.
Step 5: Assemble the legs
In this step assemble the table legs. To do so, join the two 90cm planks at a 90 degree angle using the same joinery system as before. Next, screw these on to the interior of the frame that reinforces the table top.
Step 6: Varnish and seal the table
The final step is to varnish and waterproof the wood to protect it from stains and dampness. To do so, we used coloured varnish to add a touch of colour and protect the table at the same time.
Finally, after, following each of these steps, your DIY Pallet Dining Table should look something like this!
This article was written by: Bricoydeco and translated. Mari Luz authors the blog ‘Bricoydeco’, she is a DIY fanatic, lover of recycling and customising furniture. Her passion is giving a second chance to turn once forgotten things into unique pieces!
