Butcher Block Side Tables Made With Pallet Boards

I am sure that you have seen cutting boards or charcuterie boards that are made by gluing pieces of wood together. My husband decided he wanted to try to make some side tables in a similar fashion using pallet wood.

My husband tends to not document as he makes projects so I decided to capture the steps he took to make these tables. Once in awhile he decides to make the same project again and forgets his measurements or what he used as a finishing coat. Perhaps including some of these in my blog will assist his memory.

He started by ripping pallet boards of the same width in half lengthwise using the table saw. The next step was to stack the half pallet boards on their side until the whole section was 19 inches across.

Lots of wood glue was added between all the boards and then they were clamped to dry. He filled a few cracks with black epoxy.

The whole thing was then cut in two 15.5” sections to make two side table tops. Each table top was sent through the drum sander to remove the excess glue and get the top and bottom even and smooth. The drum sander has a sanding width of 16”.

Here are the two tops after a quick finishing sanding with the orbital sander.

For legs, he chose to make this type of frame.

I love the uniqueness of these tables.
Each piece of wood used for the top has its own colour and grain.

The tables have a finishing coat of Osmo. A bit more costly but after a few coats it made the tops incredibly smooth.

He is currently working on a coffee table using the same method but instead of ripping the boards in two, he glued together full pallet boards. He kept the width 15.5” so it could fit through the drum sander. I am curious what he will decide to do for the legs.

It has been years since we have bought any wooden furniture. When we feel a need for change, tables, desks, dressers and even beds get made instead of bought. It is wonderful to see something you have made as furniture in your own home. It is even better when you can repurpose something like pallets to make it.