Stellar-X Pallet Table

Check out this table. I'll apologize in advance for the stock photos and the ms paint drawings. I didn't take the time to capture the build step by step like I should have. Also, I'm quite the amateur when it comes to wood working. I have a hard time putting my actions into words. I just do it--like Nike....

Step 1: Get Some Pallets

I used two pallets--buy them, loot them, find them...haha

Step 2: Rip Pallets Apart...carefully

Step 3: Figure Out What You Want to Do With Your Wood...

I began by determining how tall and wide I wanted the final product to be. I wanted to leave a slight overhang along the sides so I made the main frame a couple of inches shorter in length and width.

Step 4: Frame It Up

I chose to build a frame first so the planks would have some structure to follow. I used a "t" frame so that I could attach necessary secondary braces. The diagram speaks for it's self, really. I used the thicker supporting 2x4s (or similar) for the outer frame and the inner frame. After forming the rectangle and "t" I added a thinner strip to each side of the middle brace so I would have more surface area to attach the top planks. 

Step 5: Cut the Planks on a 45

Cutting on a 45° can be tricky. I messed A LOT of good wood trying to cut the top planks for this piece. I really can't offer advice on cutting. It was a miracle that I cut enough decent pieces for this table. The diagram for this step is completely wrong-and I apologize. 

Step 6: Finish It Up--attach the Planks and Legs

This step also brought out my worst. Being that pallets are all different, most of the planks weren't the same. I lined them up as best i could prior to attaching them just so i could make sure my design would work. I began by attaching the strip that runs from end to end through the center of the table. I then started in the center of the "t" frame and worked outward with my 45° planks. I left the open places for the triangles and cut and attached those next to last.

I was trying to decide what to put around the top of the table to give it a close look and to take everyone's eyes off of the imperfect planks when I noticed a piece of wood that I had ripped for an earlier piece. I had ripped a 2x4 with the grain so that the nail holes would show through. As far as I'm concerned this epiphany made the table what it is. 

I then turned it on its top and attached the legs--which were also finished 2x4s. I'm not sure how to attach the legs properly--i just screwed them until they weren't wobbly.

 I used small finishing nails to fasten the planks and 2" screws to attach the legs. 

Finally, I brushed a light coat of polyurethane to bring out the wood grains and seal the wood. 

Step 7: Show It Off

Comments

[mjortlieb]

Thank you so much for the inspiration! I used 2x4s around the edge which I dadoed to fit the pieces. I used a biscuit joiner on the corners, and put a 1/2 inch sheet of plywood under it all to keep the pieces flat. Drilled holes all through the plywood to allow any water to drain out. Finished it with Marine grade varnish.

[BryanF67]

Very nice. Great work!

[AndrewW8]

Inspired by your table I made this bench seat with lid for storage inside . Its 90% pallet wood 10% decking timber. Still under $20 including screws.

[Kevin8]

Nice Andrew. Would make a great chili bin

[Kevin8]

Looks like it would be a great beer and chips seat

[RevChris]

I used this as a basis for a desk. Changed the pattern and used pourable resin for the finish on the top.

[RandomCrafter]

I love this table but Im curious, how big did you make it?

[Orinico]

Just to say a big thanks as your 'ible was a great inspiration for my own table. I bigged you up in my description.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Pallet-wood-Coffee-Table-1/#step1

Thanks again!

[dan440ss]

Thanks for the mention! Your table turned out wicked awesome!

[armored bore]

I think I'm going to give this a try, but I kind of want to take my father-in-law's example and offset the star pattern. Like center it in a corner to make it asymmetrical. Better start collecting materials.

[romanyroamer]

Great use of natural colours! The top would make a fantastic looking door. Well done

[Honeylam]

Love the table!

[HolyTracker]

Step 3: Figure out what you want to do with your wood...

Epic comment... Although the instrucions are not very detailed, I believe it to be a beginners project, like I am, so thanks a lot for this great new idea!

[MCUman]

This is is a great project. I would like to make the following suggestions:
1. Use oak pallets.
2. Cut all of the top pieces and super check them to make sure all the metal fastensers have been removed, then have all of the pieces planed to the same thickness.
3. Glue the pieces to a piece of 3/8" plywood as a substrate to keep them flat and to add strength.
That's what I did. It worked out very well and the table was one of the first things to go in the divorce. Ah, oh well.

[dan440ss]

Thanks for the suggestion! Might you post a link or picture of yours?

[christinacovert]

Would you happen to have a pic of the bottom so we could see how you assembled it underneath?
Nice job by the way.

[dan440ss]

I'm sorry, but the table is no longer in my possession. Being that the planks were cut on a 45°, I just nailed them to the inner "t-frame" and the outer "rectangle frame", if you will. It worked out perfectly. The only modification that I might suggest is a secondary support structure underneath the small triangles on each end. It is not a huge deal, just an improvement from hindsight.

[GreenMeUpScotty]

Up-cycling at its best!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That table looks great! What made you decide to make it?

[dan440ss]

I had made a few "parallel-type" tables and thought i Was doing pretty good. After years of making cross-cuts with a circular saw I traded for a miter saw! I cut a plank on a 45 and eureka! Idea!