Last Friday I got it in my head that it was time for a new coffee table. As you might expect though, I had specific requirements - it needed to fit a specific space, have a bit of storage and allow me to sit next to it with my legs underneath. So I decided to make it myself. Much to the chagrin of my husband who didn't even know I could operate his power tools, I built a coffee table out of recycled shipping pallets. I have to say - I'm pretty proud of the results.
Since I've lived in the cabin, we've always used an antique steamer trunk covered in a tapestry as a coffee table. The trunk was the hubby's grandma's who used it when she traveled to one of the Olympics to compete in shot put. Needless to say, the trunk is sentimental and comes with a ton of history. But it doesn't really open anymore and in a 600 sq ft A-frame cabin, which is sorely lacking in storage space, it was taking up precious room.
I headed to our local recycling center, Recycle Utah, and picked up 5 shipping pallets for $5 - 4 small guys and 1 medium one. It probably would have been more resource efficient had I gotten the larger ones, but they were heavy and I didn't feel like slinging them around. Besides, I really dug the color of the small ones, which had some good weathering.
Deconstruction of shipping pallets is not as nearly easy as you might think it is. These things are almost bomb-proof and it took me a good 2 hours to get them taken apart. I used a hammer, crow bars, cats paw, nail pullers and a circular saw to get the pallets down to the sizes I needed them. I'm sure there is an easier way to dismantle them, but I'm not exactly sure what that is. If you have any tips - let me know!
After cutting all the pieces to the exact size I wanted, I set to work on putting it together. I wanted my table 40" long, but didn't have any boards that long, so I decided on a design that would use interlocking slats and would also create partition in my shelf below - perfectly sized for magazines, the remote controls and my computer when not in use. Then I grabbed the trusty nail gun and starting putting things in place. I used 2 1/2 in finish nails, but probably could have used longer ones, had I known we had them. But when you put in as many nails as I did, it really doesn't matter.
I'm no woodworker and my husband is far more talented and skilled than I am, but he seemed stoked on it when he got home from work. Personally, I think he was just happy that I decided to build it so he didn't have to himself.
Great project! So satisfying and essential to make something out of reclaimed wood! I run a business in Los Angeles called Silver Fox Architectural Salvage.
ReplyDeleteWe also make reclaimed wood furnishings of antique barn wood and salvaged pieces, like bases from old industrial machines. We love to save what we can from the landfill, as well as present the opportunity for people to restore their homes with architectural salvage, antiques and decor.
We’ve started a blog for our LA location silverfoxsalvagela.blogspot.com
www.silverfoxsalvage.com
We hope you will check us out. Thanks for your great blog, and for giving us hope for the future,
Selina Becker
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat work !! As to an easier method of taking the pallets apart, I'd recommend trying a "saws-all" with a metal cutting blade. Instead of removing the nails, simply slip the blade between to 2 parts nailed and saw through them. The nail heads will be left showing, but that only adds to the rustic appeal.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project.I love old weathered wood I'll be on the scavenger hunt now. Live in London at the moment one of the crew in the art dept made sofa's out of old pallets very comfy.
ReplyDeleteI would like to do more of this, but I am reluctant to use pallet wood inside the home where it is in contact with food, children, etc. because I suspect some of it may be pressure-treated, or treated with some sort of toxic wood preservative like copper napthanate.
ReplyDeleteSome of the pallets are obviously raw wood, but the color of others leads me to believe they may be treated.
Does anyone know how to determine if old, faded or discolored wood has been treated or not?
@zub. I've heard that if you can find pallets that were expressly used for food then you know they weren't treated with toxic preservatives. I've also heard that pallets made and used in the US are less toxic. Painting the wood would also likely seal in anything that you might be concerned about, but then again, it's all a matter of your comfort level.
ReplyDeleteZub, I never though about it... I just love everything made out of pallets as I build my house and project with pallets. http://www.hostelcorcovado.com/
ReplyDeleteNow you add a concern to my life :D I will do some research as many pallets are use to go abroad they for sure are treated... if not ... immigration officials wont let them in in so many countries...