For our six month (of dating) anniversary, my boyfriend got me a power drill and saw. I'm not sure what it says about me that this was, to me, THE BEST PRESENT EVER. I was equal parts excited and (super) scared to use the saw. I had big plans to create a small kitchen table from a recycled pallet, but first I had to turn on the saw. Good news: I did it. And it's really not all that scary; just read the directions, know how the safety features work and pay attention while you work. There's probably quite a few of you reading who are totally hip to power tools, including saws. And my hat's off to you, but I also just want you to know: I've joined the club! GIVE ME A MEMBERSHIP CARD.
But back to the table. I wanted to create a table that featured many different textures and colors of wood. I love the look of wood in my home, and having a pretty kitchen table is a big priority to me because I take a lot of pictures of food on my kitchen table (can I get a hey-o from the food bloggers!). So I used a partially broken pallet that we had at the shop to create this little table. I was able to customize it to fit perfectly in my tiny little dining room. My dad helped me add the slats and legs (thanks, Dad!). Here's what we did:
1. Supplies:
-plywood the size of your desired table
-an old pallet (or two, depending on how big your table will be)
-legs (I used hair pin legs I bought from here)
-drill
-saw
-12 screws
-liquid nails
-sanding block
2. Remove the wood slats from the pallet. This is a good time to use a saw! 3. You need enough pieces to cover your entire table top. 4. Place wood slats on the table top in the design you want. This will be like a big puzzle. Once you have filled the entire table top, mark the edges of the slats and saw off any excess that hangs over the plywood. 5. Apply liquid nails to the slats and wiggle them into place. Allow this to dry overnight. 6. Flip the board over and mark where the legs should go. I put mine about 1 1/2 inches in from the edge. Screw the legs in place. You could also adhere with glue first (before the screws) for added support. Lightly sand the edges and top.
This table is quite rustic. I like the look, but I must admit it does have a few small crevices and uneven places, making it not the most functional kitchen table. But I still love it! I am considering adding a sealer, as I'm thinking that may help with wiping down and keeping liquids from soaking in if spilled. I also like that if I get tired of my table in a few years, I can easily remove the legs and use them on a new project. Thanks for letting me share my very first saw adventure with you. Sorry I geeked out just a little…or a lot. xo. Emma
UPDATE: Sealed it! I went to my local hardware store to explain my project and find the best solution to safely seal the used pallet wood without changing the color or look of the finished table as much as possible. They recommended a heavy duty matte polyurethane. Check with your local hardware store to see what's available if you plan to create a similar project.
