From the page: The pallet hides amazing furniture
Idea 4
Rustic workbench
Workbenches of raw boards were the heart of farmhouse kitchens and old workshops: a pallet top over solid wood legs. It works because the pallet boards already come locked together by the central blocks, forming a rigid top — the secret is placing the legs at the right points, aligned with those blocks, so the weight travels straight down the structure.
What you need
- 1 or 2 whole pallets (top)
- Boards or blocks from the pallet itself for the legs
- Screws or nails
- Drill or screwdriver
- Saw
- Tape measure, pencil and level (or a level app on your phone)
- Coarse and medium sandpaper
How to make it
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1
Choose the most intact pallet for the top: avoid stained, cracked or rotting wood, and prefer ones with evenly spaced blocks.
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2
Reinforce the edge of the top by fastening boards along all four sides, creating a frame — this keeps the boards from separating or warping over time.
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3
Cut the legs to the same height (80 to 90 cm is the comfortable bench standard) and fasten them directly under the pallet blocks, where the load concentrates.
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4
Add diagonal crossbars between the legs on each side; this "bracing" keeps the bench from wobbling side to side, which is the biggest weakness of tall furniture.
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5
Sand the top well, starting with coarse sandpaper and finishing with medium, always in the direction of the wood grain.
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6
Level the bench in place and, if the floor is uneven, shim the legs with thin wood wedges glued in place.
Finishing touches
For outdoor or kitchen use, apply two coats of marine varnish or tung oil, which resist moisture. With a hanging shelf on the crossbars, you gain support space without compromising the structure.
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