How To Make a Wooden Pallet Side Table

I am so excited to introduce you to Vicky – a fellow UK based upcycler who blogs at Vicky Myers Creations.  She has kindly offered to share a tutorial on how to make a wooden pallet side table with us today. Hope you enjoy!

Never made a project from recycled pallets before?

No real woodwork skills?

You CAN do it. I’m living proof!

I am very comfortable with my sewing machine (you can see some of my sewing projects here) but regularly regret my lack of woodwork skills – you’re never too old to learn though! 🙂

Pallets are a great source of free wood and this DIY Pallet Side Table is a great project to start with. Learn how to salvage the wood, measure, cut to size, join together and add some finishing touches. If it goes wrong does it matter??!!

 

 

A pallet costs you nothing (I sourced pallets through a request on a local facebook group) and has a rustic look which works perfectly for this style project.

I originally designed this pallet side table as a bedside tables to go along with my reclaimed wood headboard (you can find a tutorial for the headboard here). But I love it so much it seems a shame to only have the table in the bedroom.

 

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS PALLET SIDE TABLE:

Please note, the supplies given are for a side table measuring 22″ x 11 1/2″ x 13″.This post contains affiliates for your crafting convenience, see full disclosure here

• Two pallets
• Hammer and crow bar
• Manual saw – but a jigsaw or circular saw could also be used.
• Nails
• Screws
• Wood glue
• Measure tape
• Pencil
• Sandpaper or sanding machine
• 4 4″ steel pin legs

 

 

NOW HERE’S HOW TO MAKE A PALLET SIDE TABLE:

Please remember to ensure your pallets have been heat treated and are safe before proceeding to use them. Let’s start with preparing wood for the four sides. The finished top and base measure, the long sides measure 13″by 11″.

Measure your pallet.

Can you cut pieces of sufficient length or do you need to ease out the nails? If you need to ease out the nails, hammer the crow bar between the two planks nailed together and then press down pulling the wood apart.

[RELATED: Here is a great article all about prepping and taking apart pallet wood!]

 

 

Measure the width of your wood.

Are four pieces side by side a good size for you?

You can use your saw to mark a straight line for cutting.

 

 

To create the top of the table, use a piece of baton 1 1/2 by 3/4″ and 11″long as a support at each end of your pallet wood.. Pre drill the screw holes so your screws glide through the wood.

 

Next add the sides to the pallet side table. Screw your pallet wood into the sides of the baton like image below.

 

 

Lets create the base next.

The finished measurements of the base need to match the top. I suggest creating a paper template.

Cut two side planks from the pallet wood to run vertically, wide enough to attach your steel pin legs to. Cut the base planks shorter, by the width of your wood (approximately half an inch).

 

 

This enables the side table sides to fit neatly along the sides.

Glue in place. Allow to fully dry. If necessary add some nails.

 

 

For added strength and a more polished finish, add a cross bar at the front of the side table, butting up to the top and covering the baton. Glue in place.

 

 

Lastly attach the steel pin legs, screwing into place on the base of the side table.

 

 

This pallet table has so many uses, bed side table, table by your arm chair, occasional table. It’s free to make (bar the steel pin legs which you can omit) and is a great project to practice your woodworking skills.

I am so passionate about sparking your creativity, helping you to respect our worlds finite resources and most importantly spark in you the motivation to carve out the time to be creative. Find out more about what I do here

Thanks for having me! Here are some more of my own popular projects:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PALLET MUD KITCHEN

DIY PALLET SWING BENCH

 

SIDE TABLE FROM THE IKEA STOOL