Recycled Fence Butcher Block Style Table

Wind storms, hail storms and/or just upgrading your fencing around your backyard, the fence panels are now broken down and lay waste.  You could just truck it off to the nearest dump, burn it and make a heck of a fire(not recommended), or recycle it.  The wood planks are still mostly in good shape, a bit worn looking, but still in good shape.

Step 1: Supplies

You will need to have wood, old wood preferably.  Please don't tear down your neighbors fence, you could wait till you do that all important(honey-do) fence upgrade or wait for the neighbors to upgrade.  Check with your local fencing company, they may let you have the panels they are replacing.  Please enjoy my first instructable!



You could use the standard butcher block standard of using glue, but I opt to use bolts instead..

Parts for one in-table:
- 31x planks cut to roughly at 24"  lengths
-  2x 5/8"-11-2'  all thread rods, 24" lengths
-  4x 5/8"-11 nuts 
-  4x 5/8 flat  washers
-  4x wood screws 
-  60 grit sand paper
- 100 grit sand paper
- 150 grit sand paper
- 320 grit sand paper or steel wool
-  polyurethane sealer
- 1x 5 gallon bucket


Tools needed:

- Jigsaw, Table Saw, Miter Saw, Hand Saw or something, to make the plank cuts.
- Drill press or Drill, to make the all thread holes
- Wrench or Socket, to tighten the nuts
- a hammer, to pull the nails
- a screwdriver or gun
- Sanding Block or Electric Sander
- Tape Measure
- 7/8 Spade Bit, for the holes
- something to mark lines or holes
- brushes, for polyurethane
- understanding,  from significant other 

Disclaimer:

I am not responsible if you get in trouble, if you tear down your neighbors fencing.  Please obtain your wood planks according to local laws and ordinances.  Please read all safety material for your tools.  Please use a well ventilated area when using polyurethane and read the instructions on the can.

Comments

[awsomenesskid]

Great instructable, though rather than sand the top flush i would of recommended planing it, so as to avoid the nasty sandpaper, and it get's the job done much quicker. I also would used thicker pieces at the ends, so that the bolts could be counter sunk and plugged. but each to their own. I think I may have to make one now purely to see if my own idea's really do make an improvement :P but over all great stuff.

[awsomenesskid]

How did i type 'sandpaper'? that was meant to be 'sawdust'

[Hazzard2theworld911]

I took inspiration from this, but First I used Ebony stain on half, and Lighter brown stain on the other half. then, I glued them together with elmers, plained all the surfaces, then sealed them back up with polyurethane. It has a nice 'striped' look, as the glue did not take the tint in the poly and the dark and light really contrasted well. I put a piece of glass on top and we use it as a coffee table. our pet duck has made his nest under it, and he LOVES when we put a warm plate on it, as the heat seeps through it. But I digress.
Beautiful work, and the bolt system allows you to take it apart should the need arise.


Brett

[kdalziel]

Can I ask why you used these bolts instead of just gluing? Would have given a really nice finish to it? Apart from that really nice idea I plan on trying this when i replace our fence.

[jarvallmighty]

I hope this helps. Glue would have sealed the grain and not let the planks to, " breath together." Using the rod lets the planks move a little left/ right and up/ down with out sudden changes to the overall unit. Using a center post was a great idea ; on budget or buy design ; saves having to bye any other materials. If I'm mistaken on this please let me know.

[bricabracwizard]

Great idea! I have heaps of leftover palings from a fencing job that was done here and they offered for me to keep the palings.

I would definitely have to seal them in some way because these are treated pine palings - any suggestions?

[XoneDaGnome]

With the little research I have done on treated Pine, it is treated with a type of preservative to extend the durability for decades. For sealing, as for non-eating purpose, I would just use the water-based Polyurethane to seal the wood. For a food surface, more steps must be taken. Wiki was down today, but this page helped on sealing for food use.

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/finlines/knaeb98c.pdf

Our other members might have a better answer. =).

[SlickSqueegie]

AWESOME repurpose!
make a skirt to hide the end grain. It awesome!

[handyman1940]

One other idea when your making these is to use carpenter glue between each board.
That will help hold the boars together.
I did that when I made my last table, BUT! I never thought of using old fence plank's.
Thanks for that idea.
Gve you 5 stars for that idea.

[l8nite]

this is a GREAT idea ! another good source is fence companies, they usually remove the old fence when installing the new and so have lots to get rid of, there are a few in my area who will even deliver for a small fee. Did you consider using the same system to build the legs? I think that would work well especially for a coffee table, if you did it for the end table you could even add a shelve (built right into the legs)

[XoneDaGnome]

I did think of adding some of the leftover wood for the legs after I got it done.. Never know I still might go with that idea. Thanks for the comment, ;)

[cpotoso]

It would be nice to "intercalate" the legs into the slats for a future project. The top would be something like this:

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==....======....==
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==....======....==
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Then the legs would get inserted in the spaces.

[XoneDaGnome]

Again, thank you for your great input. I did make another table with your idea in mind., ;)

[cpotoso]

Very nice!

[cpotoso]

WONDERFUL!

[XoneDaGnome]

Didn't think about that. Great idea, thanks for the input. ;)

[l8nite]

that looks great

[sblac2]

I'm sorry, but this is gonna drive me nuts -- it's called an "end table" ('cause ya put it at the 'end' of yer sofa --hyuk, hyuk ;^} ) Other-wise, I love the idea. I made a bench out of some old fence boards. I was thinking of also making a table top for our worn out patio furniture - this just might be the perfect solution!!!

[cpotoso]

Very nice, your table has lots of character.

[XoneDaGnome]

Thank you, ;)