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Charring wood is a traditional way to preserve timber and creates an attractive effect that enhances the grain.
The project
This is my favourite project to date. I built this 1.6 x 2.1m outdoor table using recycled pallet timber and plywood.
Once I made the table and sanded it back, I was ready to stain, but not the stain you buy from a shelf. For this wood burn effect, you need a small gas blowtorch. Let the torch do the burning, and just guide it along the wood. Don't worry if you burn a bit too much in some sections – it’s all about the effect. I applied timber oil for the finish. Not only will it protect the table, but it also brought out the grain, which looks awesome.
I completed this project in my garage with the door up. There was a bit of a burning smell at the time, but after a while, it went away. It’s not noticeable at all afterwards.
As this outdoor table will be kept undercover, it will experience frost and humidity but pallets in general are robust. A pallet can last in all sorts of weather year round and not even rot. With this being soft wood and heat treated, it does soak up water but also dries back to a normal state. Just like furniture, UV oil is recommended on top and underneath, which helps keep the timber from absorbing water and moisture. Over winter, I recommend covering your outdoor furniture.
Before and after
How to build a pallet table
Find step-by-step instructions for building your own pallet table here: How to build a pallet timber table.
More pallet tables
Workshop member dean built this lovely dining table using hardwood pallets made of gum, which offer rich colours and grains.
You wouldn’t guess that Workshop member Demo has “no carpentry skills whatsoever” from the design of this incredible table made from pallet timber.
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