Pallet Top Side Tables for Outdoors

Today, I’m sharing a couple of pallet top side tables. I have this thing for tables, and have collected several metal table bases.

Metal Side Tables

One metal table base had a top that was not made for outdoors, another didn’t have a top when I got it. Pallet wood is perfect for this project because a) it’s free, b) it is more or less weatherproof, and c) I LOVE it!

I went shopping in the wood shed to find some yummy pallet boards already dismantled. How do you dismantle pallets? Did you know the HT means “heat treated”?

Prep Metal Side Table

This is the deeper of the two tables. I chose two different thicknesses of pallet boards to fit each of the two tables. After removing the swollen wood top, I used a putty knife to remove glue and a small wire brush to remove rust and debris.

Carefully Cut Pallet Boards

Using reclaimed lumber can be dangerous! Use caution when sawing, making sure to avoid all nails. You can see the two holes on the right. Not only do I not cut where nails were, I always hold the board up to the light to make sure I can see through the board where the nails use to be.

Test Pallet Board Fit to Side Table

The pallet boards fit very snuggly in the metal side table. Three boards aren’t enough, four are too many.

Related Content: Penny Top Nesting Tables

Trim Pallet Board on Table Saw

Again, be very careful when sawing pallet boards. I trimmed a little off of each side of all the boards.

I purposely trimmed the boards to leave a small gap in between the boards so water won’t stand on the outdoor side table. Looking pretty good, eh?

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Fasten Supports to Boards

Scrap pieces were used to hold the boards together. I placed the four pallet boards on the work surface, leaving the gap—then using my nail gun, I attached the supports to the pallet boards. I did not attach the pallet table top to the metal side table.

Sand Pallet Top Smooth

My orbital sander made this a quick and easy task!

Easy Paint Job

A large chip brush and some very old paint will make this table match other items in my backyard such as the repurposed firepit outdoor table.

Tip: I always paint the underneath side first. That way I can turn it over and paint the front side without worrying about messing anything up.

Spray Painting Table #1

This table has long been one of my favorites. It actually belonged to my daughter Jamie when she was a tween! I love the shape of the base.

Pretty Pallet Top Side Table

Please save & share on Pinterest!

 

Side Table #2

This is the little metal table that didn’t have a top. It’s very rusty, and you can see that the opening is not as deep as the first table. I’ll be using thinner pallet boards for this table top.

Spray Paint Small Metal Table Base

After using a wire brush and then hosing the table base, it was ready for spray paint. The pallet boards were cut and installed the same way as table # 1.

These pallet top side tables are just large enough for a drink, and your phone. My goal is to get enough tables for everyone to have their own personal table. I have a few more  to go. Counting the brass table makeover, this makes three side tables for  around the fire pit.

After all these weeks of social distancing, some friends have been visiting in the backyard for games! So, these small tables have really come in handy.

How do we play games while adhering to social distancing?

• Table set up with disinfectant wipes, hand wipes, hand sanitizer, plus a detergent jug repurposed as a soapy water station. Paper towels and paper plates are available should someone bring food or a snack.
• Chairs spaced about 8 feet apart
• Each friend has their own tray with dice for Yahtzee.
• This past weekend we used the backside of the score sheet to make our own customized bingo card—using an app on my phone we played 9 games of Bingo!
• The hardest part of these get-togethers? NO hugs! It’s killing me—but at least we have found a way to socialize distantly. Oh, and one last thing, my house has not been open to guests since the lockdown started. Luckily, I have a spare bathroom, right inside the back door. It’s stocked with soap, wipes, paper towels and more!

This is how the yard will be set up when quarantine is finally over. Until then, we will continue to move the chairs to the shade with proper distancing. There is one more table I worked on in the middle. It was in really good shape, so all I did was spray paint it.

This was my view from the camper over the weekend. It’s easily become my favorite place to hangout during this trying time.

Do you hoard collect metal table bases? Or is it just me?

I have a couple more table base ideas, stay tuned!

gail