Pallet coffee table ideas

WCE2019

Hello Workshop Community,

in school i have been given a task to make 'somthing' out of two pallets they are aprox 1.25x1.25m

i have decided to make a coffee table.

can somone help me come up with ideas for its design and how to build it?
Thanks

WCE2019

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Accepted answers

redracer01

The design I made for you uses ordinary butt joins. Where the flat side of a timber piece plainly meets the flat side of another. If you cut the timber in a 45 degree angle and join two 45 degree angle joins, this is known as a mitre join. There are many more types of angles and can be seen on any timber joinery web site. The drawing I made will approximately use a little over 2 pallets. Best thing to do is to disassemble the pallets and line them up to see where you need to make the cuts and how many parts you may need to complete the table. The picture you posted will probably use the same amount of pallets, but as i stated the best thing to do is to make measurements and do the math. You can also physically match up the pieces that you have to the design your are trying to emulate. Good luck on your measurements!

All comments

Jason

Hi @WCE2019,

Good luck with your project.

These plans might help you get started - https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/indoor/living-room/diy-slatted-coffee-table

Jason

WCE2019

Thanks @Jason

redracer01

Hello @WCE2019

I have drawn you a nice simple pallet coffee table. The trick to this table is the finish. Using a random orbital sander you must polish the top and second shelf to within an inch of its life. Not to mention givng the legs a good sanding as well. after all the sanding and polishing The secret paint is a stain and varnish called "Black Japan Gloss", you must only paint the top and bottomshelf but leave the rest as normal. You can leave the timber bordering plain so that top pops out or do the entire surface, its up to you. Once the stain has dried you can cover the entire table with plain clear non yellowing varnish. If done properly you should get the effect I've drawn. This will test your patience and DIY skills. Goodluck and hope to see the finished product on the site!

Clean and simple. Your effort will give the table character.Here is the starting frame.The top frame simply needs to centered.

Jason

Fantastic plans as always @redracer01. Well done!

Jason

WCE2019

Thank you red @redracer01

what are the joins used?

also,

could anyone tell me aprox how many pallets this uses?
DIY-Pallet-Wood-Coffee-Table-The-Merrythought- (1).jpg

redracer01

WCE2019

thanks @redracer01

will do 🙂

I'll post the final pictures when i am done👍

WCE2019

finally, i can start.
everyone in my class has finished their reports and now we can start on our projects.
just pulled the pallets apart today.
heaps more wood than i expected

Jason

Good stuff @WCE2019. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Make sure you take plenty of photos for us!

Jason

WCE2019

will do

-wce2019-

Hello Again,

This is where i'm at,

i had a few issues so i am a bit behindjust putting the table top together....

redracer01

Stay focused and be patient. All great works of art requires a good amount of time.

-wce2019-

thanks @redracer01

will do

-wce2019-

I havent really been in touch....

almost done, i just have to attach the legs,

photos will b in a couple of weeks...

DIYology

Hey mate,

Keen to find out how you went. I love the progress pic. Did you decide what to do about legs ?

I’ve made a fair few coffee tables out of pallets. On one I used galvanized plumbing fittings as legs to make it look very industrial which turned out ace. I’ll see if I can track down a photo.

Good Luck.

-wce2019-

hello @DIYology,

Yep i did, i made a rectangle frame and attached them to that, diagonals and straight screws....

attached is some pic of the final project, just finished last week....

Thanks for the help.Table top, Just above the legs is a horizontal beam, that is the fame i was talking aboutstorage spacethe rectangle frame the legs are attached to, this has diagonal screws running through it into the table.

DIYology

Thanks for the update, it looks great, good job !!

-wce2019-

Thanks heaps @DIYology

i just have to stain the top different colours to make the pattern stand out, then seal it all.....

redracer01

Very nicely done. Looking forward to seeing it painted!

Mathy

Well done @-wce2019- - very good for a first go, hope you get good “marks” for it, and that you feel satisfied with the end result, cheers Deb 🙂

-wce2019-

thanks @Mathy

OldMate

Sorry I'm really late to this party. Would love to see the end results of the stain if possible?

Jason

Thanks for joining in the discussion @OldMate.

Let me tag @WCE2019 for you so he is alerted to your request about seeing the end result stained. Hopefully he can share it with us all.

Welcome to the Workshop community. We trust you'll receive loads of helpful information, advice and inspiration for all your projects around the house and garden from our amazing members.

Please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the site.

Jason

-wce2019-

G'day @OldMate and @Jason,

sorry for the late replies, i have been really caught up with a lot of projects recently (involved in moving house), so i have only managed the first 2 out of 3 coats...

pics are above

KevinMall

I did my top length way (pallet timbers running length of table) in hindsight (lol) I can see the wisdom of this layout.

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