D.I.Y. outdoor pallet coffee table on wheels

D.I.Y. outdoor pallet coffee table on wheels

Michelle, Team member
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D.I.Y. outdoor pallet coffee table on wheels

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Project Overview

We all love to recycle and this D.I.Y. project will show you how you can turn an old pallet into a rustic outdoor coffee table on wheels. It’s easy to make, looks great and you can move it to wherever you want it. Continue to step-by-step instructions
Head of hammer removing nails from timber.
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How to remove a stuck nail

Sometimes a nail is stuck solidly in place and won’t pry out easily. A good way to deal with this is to pry up the surrounding timber and then push it back into place. This should leave the nail sitting above the timber. Then you can pull it out with the claw on your hammer.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Cut your timber
2 Remove the timber from the pallet
3 Remove the nails from the pallet slats
4 Make the first mitre cut for the frame
5 Measure and mark the length of the frame
6 Make the second mitre cut
7 Cut the timber for the inner frame
8 Measure and mark the inner frame
9 Cut the inner frame
10 Assemble the frame
11 Attach the inner supports
12 Measure and mark for the tabletop
13 Cut the timber for the tabletop to size
14 Secure the timber for the tabletop
15 Putty up the joints
16 Sand the table
17 Mark for the caster wheels
18 Attach the wheels
19 Apply the stain to the table
20 Enjoy your table

  • Step 1. Cut your timber

    To make this D.I.Y. project even easier you can have your timber pre-cut at your local Bunnings. Here’s the cutting list we used for this project:

    45mm x 90mm F17 Tasmanian oak for the outer frame:
    • 850mm x 2
    • 550mm x 2

    70mm x 35mm treated pine for the inner frame:
    • 755mm x 2

    Previous Step Next Step
    tools and materials

  • Step 2. Remove the timber from the pallet

    Use the pry bar to lift the timber slats from the pallet.
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    person removing timber palings

  • Step 3. Remove the nails from the pallet slats

    Use the hammer to straighten up the nails as much as you can. Then bang the nails back through the pallet slats. Use the claw of the hammer to pull out the nails. Repeat this until all of the nails have been removed.
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    removing nails from the pallet slats

  • Step 4. Make the first mitre cut for the frame

    Set the mitre saw to 45-degrees. Make the first cut close to the end of the timber.
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    cutting timber frame with a mitre saw

  • Step 5. Measure and mark the length of the frame

    Measure and mark to make the second cut, ours was 850mm long.
    Previous Step Next Step
    measuring and marking timber

  • Step 6. Make the second mitre cut

    Set the saw to the opposite 45-degree angle from the first cut. Cut the timber to length. Repeat the previous steps to cut the other 850mm length for the frame and the two 550mm sides for the frame.
    Previous Step Next Step
    measuring and marking timber

  • Step 7. Cut the timber for the inner frame

    Set the mitre saw to 90 degrees. Take both pieces of timber for the inner frame and cut them near the ends to 90 degrees.
    Previous Step Next Step
    person cutting timber with a mitre saw

  • Step 8. Measure and mark the inner frame

    Measure and mark the treated pine for the inner frame. Ours were 755mm long.
    Previous Step Next Step
    person marking and measuring inner frames

  • Step 9. Cut the inner frame

    Set the saw to 90 degrees. Cut the timber for the inner frame to size.
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    cutting inner frame with a mitre saw

  • Step 10. Assemble the frame

    Apply glue to the ends of the timber for the external frame. Join them together, making sure the ends are flush. Use the fixing gun to secure them. Wipe away any excess glue.
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    applying wood glue to outer frame

  • Step 11. Attach the inner supports

    Apply glue to one of the long thicker sides of the internal supports. Place them so they're flush with the bottom of the outer frame. Use the fixing gun to secure them.
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    applying glue to inner frame

  • Step 12. Measure and mark for the tabletop

    Measure the distance between the outer frame, ours was 460mm. Transfer these measurements to the timber from the pallet.
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    measuring inner frame

  • Step 13. Cut the timber for the tabletop to size

    Set the saw to 90 degrees. Cut all of the timber for the tabletop to size.
    Previous Step Next Step
    cutting slats with a mitre saw

  • Step 14. Secure the timber for the tabletop

    Place the timber for the tabletop into the frame. Make sure it’s evenly spaced. Use the fixing gun to secure it.
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    placing pallet slats in frame

  • Step 15. Putty up the joints

    Putty up the mitre joins. You can choose to leave the nail holes exposed for a rustic look, or putty them for a more finished look. Let the putty dry.
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    puttying joints with wood filler

  • Step 16. Sand the table

    Once the putty is dry, start sanding. Start with the rougher 40 grit sandpaper and graduate to 120 then 240 as necessary. Depending on your taste, you can leave the pallet with a rustic look, or sand it back so the tabletop is flush with the outer frame.
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    person sanding tabletop

  • Step 17. Mark for the caster wheels

    Turn the tabletop over. Place a caster wheel in a corner so that it’s flush. Mark for where the screws will go. Repeat this for the three other wheels.
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    marking position of caster wheels

  • Step 18. Attach the wheels

    Pre-drill the holes for the wheels with the 3.5mm drill bit. Secure them with the 30mm screws.
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    attaching caster wheels

  • Step 19. Apply the stain to the table

    Use a paint brush to apply the Cabot’s exterior clear. When you do this, make sure you’re working in a well ventilated area.
    Previous Step Next Step
    person applying clear stain to tabletop

  • Step 20. Enjoy your table

    Once your table is dry, you’re ready to enjoy your recycled, versatile outdoor coffee table.
    Previous Step Next Step
    diy outdoor pallet coffee table wheels

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Combination square
  • Cordless drill
  • 3.5mm drill bit
  • Earmuffs
  • Fixing gun and nails
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Mitre saw
  • Orbital sander
  • Paint brush
  • Pencil
  • Pry bar
  • Putty knife
  • Rags
  • Safety glasses
  • Work gloves

Materials

  • 45mm x 90mm F17 oak
  • 70mm x 35mm treated pine
  • 100mm cast iron swivel plate lockable casters x 4
  • 30mm hex head screws to attach the casters
  • Cabinet makers wax
  • Disposable gloves
  • PVA/wood glue
  • 240, 120 and 40 grit sandpaper
  • Stain exterior clear
  • Wooden pallet
  • Wood putty

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