Looking to create a rustic and functional mobile table for your outdoor gatherings? Chris from A Glimpse Inside has crafted an impressive mobile pallet wood table that’s perfect for parties, events, or even tailgating.
Materials Needed
- 3/4 inch Baltic birch plywood
- Pallet wood
- Rope twine
- Glue
- Brad nails
- Two-part epoxy
- Natural stain
- Halcyon clear marine varnish
Tools Required
- Circular saw
- Self-centering drill bit
- Angle grinder
- Sander (100 and 180 grit)
- Clamps
- Crosscut sled
- Work surface
Step 1: Create the Sawhorses
Begin by ripping down a piece of 3/4 inch Baltic birch plywood into 3-inch strips and cutting them to length using a crosscut sled. These strips will form the base of your mobile table, which are the sawhorses. Assemble the pieces using glue and brads, clamping them together on your workbench.
Step 2: Install the Piano Hinge
Once your sawhorses are clamped, install a piano hinge using a self-centering drill bit. This hinge will allow your sawhorses to fold, making the table portable.
Step 3: Add Stability with Rope
To keep the legs of the sawhorses extended, drill a hole in the middle of each leg and use rustic rope twine. Tie a knot at one end, feed it through both holes, and adjust the length as needed. This will keep the legs secured when the table is in use.
Step 4: Disassemble the Pallet
Now, it’s time to break down the pallets. Attach the pallet to a work surface and use a circular saw to rip down each side. Once the sides are cut, you can easily pry off the boards.
Step 5: Prepare the Pallet Wood
After disassembling the pallets, you’ll encounter some nails. Use an angle grinder to trim these off while keeping some nail heads for that rustic charm. Clean up the edges and cut the wood into pieces to create a chaotic brick-like pattern for the tabletop.
Step 6: Assemble the Tabletop
Using a half-inch piece of Baltic birch as a substrate, start nailing down the pallet wood pieces with glue and brads. Once done, trim off the edges with a circular saw for a clean finish.
Step 7: Sand and Stabilize
Sand the entire tabletop from 100 to 180 grit. After sanding, wrap the piece in Tyvek house wrap and mix a two-part epoxy. Flood the surface with epoxy to stabilize the wood. Let it cure overnight.
Step 8: Finish the Tabletop
Once cured, sand down the epoxy finish to your liking. Apply a natural stain to enhance the color of the wood, followed by Halcyon clear marine varnish for durability. Apply multiple coats for the best results.
Step 9: Final Assembly
After applying the final coat of varnish, your table is nearly complete! The collapsible design allows for easy storage and transport. Simply fold the sawhorses in, wrap the rope around the base, and tie it off.
Conclusion
Congratulations on building your very own mobile pallet wood table! Chris from A Glimpse Inside has shown us that with a little creativity and effort, we can turn pallets into useful furniture.